Baked Whole Fish
Transform dinner into a show-stopping masterpiece with this easy and flavorful Baked Whole Fish recipe! Perfect for seafood lovers, this dish features a whole snapper, sea bass, or trout rubbed with olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper, and stuffed with aromatic lemon slices, garlic, parsley, and thyme. Roasted alongside sweet cherry tomatoes and tender onions, the fish emerges from the oven perfectly flaky, juicy, and infused with robust Mediterranean flavors. With just 15 minutes of prep and 25 minutes to roast, this elegant yet simple recipe is ideal for weeknight meals or special gatherings. Serve it with crusty bread or a crisp green salad for a complete meal that's as wholesome as it is unforgettable. Keywords: baked whole fish, Mediterranean fish recipe, roasted whole fish, easy seafood recipes, healthy dinner ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 about 2 pounds whole fish (such as snapper, sea bass, or trout)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 whole lemon
- 4 whole garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet or large roasting pan with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Clean the fish thoroughly, removing any scales and ensuring the cavity is cleaned out. Pat it dry with paper towels.
Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over the fish and rub it all over, including inside the cavity.
Season the fish with 1 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper on the outside and inside.
Slice the lemon into thin rounds and peel the garlic cloves. Stuff the cavity of the fish with lemon slices, garlic cloves, fresh parsley, and thyme sprigs.
Arrange the sliced onion and cherry tomatoes around the fish on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle the vegetables with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and season with the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of salt and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper.
Use a sharp knife to make 2-3 shallow slashes on each side of the fish. This helps the fish cook evenly and allows flavors to penetrate.
Place the fish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. An internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part indicates doneness.
Remove the fish from the oven and let it rest for 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and garnish with additional fresh parsley, if desired.
Serve warm with the roasted vegetables and your favorite side dish, such as crusty bread or a light green salad. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
398 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.7 g | 28% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.9 g | 24% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 114 mg | 38% | |
| Sodium | 870 mg | 38% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 9.1 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.1 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 3.1 g | ||
| Protein | 46.8 g | 94% | |
| Vitamin D | 11.3 mcg | 57% | |
| Calcium | 79 mg | 6% | |
| Iron | 2.1 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 923 mg | 20% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
