Grilled branzino, generously seasoned and stuffed with fresh herbs, lemon, orange, and garlic, before being grilled to perfection. Learn how to grill whole branzino so you can serve this flaky, flavorful fish all summer long!
For more delicious fish recipes try our Spanish Garlic Shrimp, Easy Oven Baked Trout, Mayland Crab Cake, and Pesto-Crusted Broiled Sea Bass next!
When I lived in Portugal last summer, lemon-stuffed grilled branzino was my favorite! I would enjoy it by the waterside at my favorite restaurant, Ponto Final, and watch the sunset. I have such fond memories of that time, so I just had to recreate my rendition of stuffed grilled bronzini and share it with you!
Reasons This Grilled Branzino Recipe Works
- Quick! The fish is grilled and ready to serve in just 20 minutes.
- Healthy! This protein is low in fat but packs a lot of flavor.
- Versatile! Branzino has an amazing texture and a mild flavor that tastes amazing no matter how you season it. We season it with fresh citrus, herbs, and garlic to enhance its delicious taste!
What is branzino?
Branzino fish is a European sea bass. This Mediterranean fish is popular in Greek and Portuguese cuisine. It is characterized by its mild, bright, buttery flavor. The delicate flesh makes it super easy to bake, roast, or grill branzino.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Whole Branzino: Scaled and gutted, heads and tails removed.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper: Season generously on all sides.
- Citrus Fruits: Use thinly sliced orange and lemon.
- Garlic Cloves: Minced.
- Butter: Because this makes everything taste better.
- Capers: This adds briny flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Chop up sprigs of dill and parsley.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: This helps the fish brown and get crisp.
Garnish
- Lemon: Cut into wedges.
- Parsley: Finely chopped for serving.
How to Grill Branzino
SEASON BRANZINO. Prepare your grill or grill pan by lighting it or preheating it. Generously season the cavities of the branzino fish with salt and pepper. Stuff each fish cavity with chopped dill, parsley, capers, minced garlic, 1 tbsp butter, 2 slices of orange, and 2 slices of lemon. Rub the outside of the branzino with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper.
GRILL BRANZINO. Grill the branzino over high heat, turning once, until browned and crisp and just cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side (depending on the size). Serve the grilled branzino immediately, with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
Tips To Nail the Recipe
- When selecting branzino fish, look for whole fish with clear eyes (not cloudy), and bright gills. The scales should be intact and it should not have a strong fishy smell.
- Ensure the grill is hot before adding the fish.
- The flesh is super delicate and can easily stick to the grill so use a spatula to gently flip the fish over when it’s time.
- If you want to ensure the skin stays on during the cooking process, wrap the branzino in aluminum foil.
- You can use toothpicks to close the folds of the fish so that the sliced lemon does not fall out.
Recipe Substitutions
- No Branzino: If you can’t locate quality branzino, you can use Mediterranean sea bass, snapper, cod, or salmon instead.
- Oven Baked Branzino: If it’s a rainy day or you don’t have a grill, place the seasoned fish on a baking sheet and let it cook at 400°F for 5-7 minutes on each side. Then broil the fish for about 3 minutes.
- Lemon-stuffed Branzino: I like to use lemon and orange when making fish. You can always use lemon only, lime, or orange.
What to Serve with Grilled Branzino
Aside from wine and a side of crusty bread, this fish pairs well with a variety of dishes.
- Salads: Keep the meal light and nutritious with a salad like this Detox Cucumber Salad, Greek Quinoa Salad, or Vegan Caesar Salad.
- Pasta: If you want something a bit more indulgent, serve grilled branzino with creamy pasta like Avocado Pesto Pasta or this Mediterranean Pasta Salad.
- Vegetables: For a low-carb meal, use roasted veggies like Brussels Sprouts with Bacon, Broccoli, Radishes, or Asparagus.
Storage + Reheating
Although grilled branzino is best enjoyed immediately, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
FAQs
What kind of fish is a branzino?
Branzino is a white fish native to Europe and the northern coasts of Africa. It is often referred to as European Sea Bass.
How long does it take to grill branzino?
If you are grilling a whole fish, it takes at least 5-7 minutes to cook on each side, depending on the size.
How can you tell when the fish is done?
When it flakes easily, the branzino is cooked. It should be 145 degrees when measured with an instant thermometer.
I Hope You Enjoy This Whole Grilled Branzino Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
More Fish Recipes To Try!
- Air Fryer Tuna Steak
- Crispy Gluten-Free Air Fryer Fish
- Honey Garlic Air Fryer Salmon
- Mahi Mahi Tacos
- Salmon Bites
- Easy Lobster Tail Recipe (Broiled)
Garlic, Herb, Citrus-Stuffed Grilled Branzino
Ingredients
- 2 1 lb Whole Branzino scaled and gutted, heads and tails removed
- Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper generously on all sides
- 1 Orange thinly sliced
- 1 Lemon thinly sliced
- 4 Garlic Cloves minced
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 2 tbsp Capers
- 3 tbsp Fresh Dill chopped
- 3 tbsp Fresh Parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Garnish
- 1 Lemon cut into wedges
- Finely Chopped Parsley for serving
Instructions
- Prepare your grill or grill pan by lighting it or preheating it.
- Generously season the cavities of the branzino fish with salt and pepper. Stuff each cavity with chopped dill, parsley, capers, minced garlic, 1 tbsp butter, 2 slices of orange, and 2 slices of lemon. Rub the outside of the branzino with olive oil and season it with salt and pepper.
- Grill the branzino over high heat, turning once, until browned and crisp and just cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side (depending on the size). Serve the grilled branzino immediately, with lemon wedges and a sprinkle of chopped parsley.
This is the best Branzino recipe!!! I made this for my family this weekend and we all devoured it!
That’s wonderful! I am happy you and your family enjoyed the recipe 🙂