Roasted Branzino With Lemon and Thyme

For this branzino recipe, we roast the whole fish in just 30 minutes. It's seasoned with simple ingredients—olive oil, fresh thyme, and salt—that let the pure, fresh seafood flavors shine through. You may be surprised to find a seafood recipe that uses such a high oven temperature (450 degrees Fahrenheit) for a delicate fish, however, this is what makes the skin crisp even while it protects the flesh from drying out.

The secret to an evenly roasted whole branzino with crisp skin is to prop it up with lemon wedges along its sides. You can use this roasting technique with other fish, such as snapper, perch, cod, Arctic char, bass, sea bream, and haddock.

What Is Branzino?

If you're unfamiliar with branzino—also known as European or Mediterranean sea bass—it's a mild, slightly sweet, flaky, white-fleshed fish that’s popular in Italian cuisine. It's usually served whole, as in our recipe, but it can be filleted as well. The fish also has very few small bones, making it easy to prepare.

What to Look for When Buying a Whole Branzino

When buying a whole branzino, look for clear, plump eyes, bright red gills, flesh that’s firm and springy to the touch, and smells fresh and briny, not fishy. If you spot sunken eyes, brown or gray gills, or a strong fishy reek, keep on walking!

How to Serve a Whole Fish

To portion a whole fish into two servings, first cut the fillet free from top side of fish and remove with a spatula. Remove the bones to free the other fillet, then transfer each fillet to a serving plate.

What to Serve With Roasted Branzino

This simple seafood preparation pairs perfectly with side dishes containing other bright Mediterranean flavors.

• Greek Lemon-Roasted Potatoes
• Deep-Fried Zucchini Flowers Stuffed With Taleggio and Basil
• French Lentil Salad
• Greek-Taverna Salad
• Green Beans With Spiced Breadcrumbs
• Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
• Leek, Bacon, and Pea Risotto
• Grilled Ratatouille and Bulgur Salad