This grilled branzino recipe with a Mediterranean twist is a must-try! The fish is marinated with a herb and lemon mixture, then grilled to perfection and topped with a bright tomato herb relish. Trust me, there’s a feast of flavors in every bite.

 

Have you ever tried grilling a whole fish? Well, today I’m here to show you how to grill branzino, which is one of my top favorite grilled seafood recipes! This grilled branzino is the perfect summer meal with its bright colors and flavors. What I love the most about white fish is that you can add so many flavors to them. If you like white fish, check out my lemon garlic tilapia, Greek style baked mahi mahi, cod with saffron cream sauce, and pan seared cod with shallots and fennel. Also, be sure to check out our top fish and seafood recipes for more inspiration.

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All about branzino

Branzino, also known as European or Mediterranean seabass and Levrek in Turkish, is native to the waters off southern and western Europe as well as Africa’s northern coasts. It’s one of my favorites to work with because of its bright flavor and tender flesh.

This grilled branzino has all you need for a delightful meal. Let me tell you why this is the recipe you need to try:

• You’re going to learn how to handle and grill a whole fish.
• The fish is marinated with a lemon herb marinade inside and out, making every bit of it juicy and tender.
• Once grilled, the grilled branzino is topped with a tasty tomato herb relish that’s tangy and bright, balancing the smoky flavor of the grilled fish.
• Not only this is an easy recipe for grilled fish, it’s also very pretty to look at.

Ingredients and substitutions

Branzino – Make sure you’re using fresh branzino that has a firm body and bounces back if poked with a finger.

Garlic, shallots and onions – We are using almost every member of the allium family in this recipe.

Herbs – You’re going to need parsley, dill and cilantro. Wash all very well, then dry them and chop them finely. The more herbs you use in this recipe, the better.

Tomatoes – For the relish, we need a few fresh and firm tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are my favorite.

Jalapeno – For a subtle heat, I’m using jalapenos without their seeds. You can use serrano pepper as well.

Lemon – Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must for this recipe and its bright and fresh flavor. Lemon and fish always go well together.

Spices – You need salt, Aleppo pepper (similar to Turkish pul biber) and sumac.

How to grill branzino

1. Make sure the fish are clean, gutted and dry. Patting the branzino dry helps with the absorption of the marinade. Cut three slits on each side of the fish but don’t go all the way through. In a bowl, mix the olive oil with shallots, garlic, herbs, fresh lemon juice and salt and pepper.
2. Spoon half of the mixture into the cavity of the fish and add lemon slices. Seal the fish with toothpicks and rub the remainder of the mixture on both sides of the fish.
3. Preheat the grill to high or medium high. Rub half of a raw potato on the grates to prevent the fish from sticking. You can also wrap each fish in aluminum foil.
4. Place the fish on the grill grates and grill for 8 minutes on each side flipping only once. It’s okay if the skin sticks to the grates.
5. Mix the tomato and jalapeno with the herbs, red onion, lemon juice, olive oil and spices. Spoon the tomato herb relish over the fish and serve immediately.

Variations

You can grill branzino wrapped in a piece of aluminum foil if you want to make sure the skin stays on. Doing so might reduce the smokiness of the fish, but probably not by much.

The marinade and the tomato relish are perfect for you to use up whatever herbs and vegetables you have sitting in your fridge. You can use green onions, mint or bell peppers if you like.

How to choose a good branzino

You can find branzino in many supermarkets and seafood stores. Keep in mind that some places sell this fish labeled as European or Mediterranean seabass. Here are my tips for choosing a good branzino:

• The skin should be shiny and plump and the scales should not be missing.
• Make sure the eyes of the fish are bright and not foggy or all dark.
• Fresh branzino should not smell bad and “fishy.”
• If poked with a finger, the fish should bounce back and not get indented.

Serving suggestions

This grilled Mediterranean branzino is jam packed with flavors and would go perfectly with a number of side dishes including grilled asparagus, Greek lemon rice, Mediterranean grilled vegetables or Mediterranean couscous salad. A classic combination would be this grilled branzino served with Persian sabzi polo, which is a herb rice that’s traditionally served with fish.

Storage

It’s best to enjoy this dish right off the grill. However, if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight glass container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. I don’t recommend freezing grilled fish as the texture and flavor would change.

Frequently asked questions

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