Greek Style Whole Roasted Branzino with Tomatoes & Feta
If cooking a whole fish at home feels intimidating, this simple recipe is about to change your mind completely. We love wrapping fresh Mediterranean flavours into an elegant dinner, and this dish delivers big results with very little fuss. The fish stays remarkably juicy on the bone, while the tomatoes and feta melt into a rich, savoury pan sauce.Serving Size: It serves one person generously, or it is the absolute perfect light main for two if you pair it with warm, toasted sourdough and a pile of crispy fries for dipping. Grab a glass of crisp white wine and let us show you how easy it is to master the perfect oven roast.
Ingredients
For the Fish
- 1 whole branzino ¾ lb (330 g - 370 g) scaled and gutted
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 lemon half sliced into thin rounds, half reserved for finishing
- 3 sprigs fresh dill or parsley
Vegetables & Pan Sauce
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes about ⅔ left whole and ⅓ halved.
- 1 small shallot thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves thinly sliced
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- A pinch of red chili flakes
Finishing and Serving
- 2 oz block feta, broken into medium chunks 50 g to 60 g
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or parsley
- Flaky sea salt for serving
- Grilled sourdough toast for serving
- Shoestring fries or lemon potatoes for serving
- Bright Green Cucumber Herb Slaw optional
Instructions
The Critical Prep Step
- Pat the fish extremely dry inside and out with paper towels. Place the fish uncovered in the refrigerator for a minimum of 20 minutes, though 45 to 60 minutes is ideal. This process removes excess moisture, which dramatically improves skin browning, concentrates the natural flavours, and prevents the fish from sticking to the pan.
Prepare the Fish
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C) and position the oven rack in the upper-middle position. Season the cavity lightly with salt and pepper. Using a sharp knife, make 3-4 slashes on each side of the fish, about ¼-inch (6 mm) deep. Avoid cutting too deeply into the flesh so the fish does not split while roasting. Rub the exterior generously with olive oil, kosher salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Then stuff it with the lemon slices and dill or parsley sprigs. Let the fish sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking to ensure even roasting.
Start the Vegetables on the Stovetop
- Place the oval fish pan (roughly 12.5” x 9” / 32 cm x 23 cm) or a shallow baking dish over medium heat on the stovetop or induction.
- Add the olive oil, tomatoes, shallot, olives, salt, and chili flakes. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, gently stirring once or twice, until the tomatoes begin to glisten and the shallots start to soften.
- Add the sliced garlic during the final 30 to 60 seconds, tucking it among the tomatoes so it does not burn. Remove from the heat.
- Push the vegetables mostly around the outer edges, leaving the centre open.
Roast the Branzino
- Place the fish directly in the cleared centre of the pan. Roast at 450°F (232°C) for 8-10 minutes. Carefully remove the pan from the oven and scatter the chunks of block feta into the tomato mixture around the fish. Return the pan to the oven and roast for another 3 to 5 minutes.
- The fish is fully cooked when the flesh flakes easily near the backbone, the thickest section registers 135°F to 140°F (57°C to 60°C) on a digital thermometer, the eyes turn opaque, and the fins (if still on) release easily when pulled. Pulling the fish at this temperature allows carryover cooking to bring it to a perfectly moist finish while resting.
Optional Broiling
- For a bit of extra colour and beautifully bubbling feta, turn the oven to broil for the final 60 to 90 seconds. Watch the oven constantly during this step because a shallow stainless steel pan and olive oil can cause the fish to overcook very quickly.
Rest & Serve
- Let the fish rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. Spoon some tomato-olive pan juices lightly over the fish. Scatter some cucumber herb slaw (if using) lightly down the centre, keeping portions of the skin, head, and tail visible. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and a small pinch of flaky salt.
- Serve directly from the fish pan with grilled sourdough, shoestring fries, roasted lemon potatoes, lemon rice, or orzo.
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Notes
Tips, Substitutions & Serving Suggestions
- What is Branzino? (And What Else It's Called) Branzino is a mild, sweet European sea bass native to the salty waters of the Mediterranean. It features a delicate, flaky white flesh and a clean taste that lacks any strong “fishy” flavour, making it the perfect choice for roasting whole on the bone.
- When you are shopping at the fish market or grocery store, you might find it labeled under several different names depending on where the fish was sourced or how the shop labels its seafood: European Sea Bass (The official culinary and biological name), Loup de Mer (Its common French name, which translates to “wolf of the sea”), Ragno or Spigola (Regional Italian names you might spot in boutique Italian markets) and Mediterranean Sea Bass
- Choose Block Feta: Avoid pre-crumbled feta for this dish. Crumbled feta contains anti-caking agents, tastes chalky, and releases too much moisture. High-quality block feta packed in brine melts into a beautiful, creamy consistency.
- Watch the Tomato Volume: It can be tempting to add extra tomatoes, but too many will create a watery environment. This specific measurement ensures the tomatoes roast and blister rather than steam the fish.
- Serving Companions: This dish pairs beautifully with crispy Greek lemon potatoes, fluffy rice pilaf, or a thick slice of grilled sourdough to soak up every drop of the pan juices.
Follow these Steps to Enjoy your Branzino While Avoiding the Bones Cleanly:
- Step 1: Remove the Fins (if they are still on) and Open the Fish. Use your fork and knife to gently slide along the top and bottom edges of the fish to remove the small outer fins. They should slide out easily if the fish is fully cooked. Next, use the edge of your knife to make a gentle cut along the spine from the head down to the tail, splitting the top layer of skin.
- Step 2: Eat the Top Fillet First. Carefully peel back the top layer of skin (or leave it on if you love the texture). Using your fork, lift the top fillet away from the central backbone in clean, horizontal sections, moving from the spine down toward the belly. Transfer these delicious, boneless pieces straight to your plate to enjoy with the tomato-feta pan sauce.
- Step 3: Lift the Skeleton Away. Once the top fillet is completely eaten, you will see the entire exposed spine and rib cage. Grab the tail section with your fingers or a fork and gently lift it straight up and away from the bottom fillet, moving toward the head. The backbone, ribs, and head should lift away cleanly in one solid piece, leaving the bottom fillet resting perfectly on the plate.
- Step 4: Enjoy the Bottom Fillet. Quickly scan the remaining bottom fillet for any stray ribs that might have stayed behind. Now you can enjoy the second half of the fish, which has been soaking up all those incredible juices at the bottom of the pan.
- ➡️Pro Tip: Don’t forget the cheeks! The tiny pockets of meat just below the eyes on the head of the fish are incredibly tender and widely considered by chefs to be the best bite on the entire branzino.
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