Whole Roasted Branzino with Herb-Citrus Stuffing

Whole Roasted Branzino with Herb-Citrus Stuffing

Mia

This elegant whole roasted branzino showcases the Mediterranean philosophy of letting exceptional ingredients speak for themselves. Branzino, also known as European sea bass, is prized throughout coastal Italy, Greece, and France for its delicate, sweet flesh and mild flavor that pairs beautifully with bright herbs and citrus. The simplicity of this preparation—stuffing the cavity with fresh parsley, thyme, lemon slices, and fennel fronds—allows the natural flavors of the fish to shine while infusing it with aromatic Mediterranean notes.

Roasting the fish whole not only creates a stunning presentation but also ensures the flesh remains incredibly moist and flavorful. The skin crisps to golden perfection in the hot oven, providing a delightful textural contrast to the tender, flaky meat beneath. As the fish roasts, the herbs and lemon release their essential oils, perfuming the flesh from the inside out while the fennel adds a subtle anise note that's quintessentially Mediterranean.

This dish is perfect for a dinner party or special occasion, as it looks impressive yet requires minimal hands-on time. The whole fish presentation is traditional in Mediterranean coastal communities, where freshness is paramount and simple preparation methods honor the quality of the catch. Serve alongside roasted vegetables, a crisp green salad, or simply with good olive oil and lemon wedges for squeezing.

Whether you're an experienced cook or trying whole fish for the first time, this recipe is surprisingly approachable. The key is sourcing fresh, high-quality branzino from your fishmonger, who can clean and scale it for you. The result is a restaurant-worthy dish that embodies the heart of Mediterranean cooking: fresh, simple, and absolutely delicious.

Nutrition

40 minutes
None servings
285 calories
Fat 13.00g
Carbs 3.00g
Protein 38.00g

Ingredients

2 fishwhole branzino, cleaned and scaled (about 1.5 lbs each)
2 mediumlemon, one thinly sliced, one cut into wedges for serving
1 cupfresh parsley, loosely packed, with stems
8 sprigsfresh thyme
1/2 cupfennel fronds, loosely packed
4 clovesgarlic, thinly sliced
3 tbspextra virgin olive oil
1 tspsea salt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1/4 cupwhite wine (optional)
1 smallfresh fennel bulb, thinly sliced (optional)

Equipment

Cutting board
paper towels
sharp knife
instant-read thermometer
fish spatula
large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan

16:8 Diet

This nutrient-dense branzino dish is ideal for 16:8 intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein, healthy omega-3 fats, and essential micronutrients from herbs and vegetables that promote satiety and sustained energy without processed ingredients or blood sugar spikes.

80/20 Diet

This recipe easily meets the 80/20 principle with 100% of its ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods: fresh fish, vegetables, herbs, citrus, and olive oil—all anti-inflammatory, minimally processed ingredients that support optimal health.

Ancestral Diet

This recipe perfectly fits ancestral eating principles with wild-caught fish, fresh vegetables, herbs, and olive oil—all whole, unprocessed ingredients that would have been available to hunter-gatherers, while completely avoiding grains, legumes, dairy, and processed foods.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This dish is highly anti-inflammatory, featuring omega-3-rich branzino, extra virgin olive oil, and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices (garlic, thyme, parsley) while avoiding refined sugars, processed foods, and inflammatory oils—making it ideal for reducing inflammation.

Atkins Diet

Ideal for all phases of Atkins, this recipe contains virtually no carbohydrates (under 5g net carbs per serving), features high-quality protein from branzino, includes healthy fats from olive oil, and avoids all grains, sugars, and starchy vegetables completely.

Cave Man Diet

This recipe fits Cave Man/Paleo principles perfectly with wild-caught fish, fresh vegetables, herbs, and healthy fats from olive oil—all ingredients that could have been hunted, fished, or gathered—while avoiding all grains, legumes, dairy, and processed foods.

Clean Eating

This recipe is the epitome of clean eating, using only whole, minimally processed ingredients in their natural state: fresh whole fish, vegetables, herbs, citrus, and olive oil, with no refined sugars, artificial ingredients, or processed components.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns perfectly with DASH Diet principles by featuring heart-healthy fish rich in omega-3s, using minimal sodium (only 1 tsp sea salt for 2 whole fish), and emphasizing fresh vegetables, herbs, and olive oil for flavor instead of salt. The lean protein and abundance of potassium-rich herbs support cardiovascular health.

Diabetic Diet

This branzino recipe is excellent for diabetic diets with virtually zero carbohydrates and no added sugars, featuring lean protein that supports stable blood sugar levels, healthy omega-3 fats, and low-glycemic vegetables and herbs that won't spike blood glucose.

Evolutionary Diet

This branzino preparation aligns with evolutionary diet principles by featuring wild-caught fish, non-starchy vegetables, herbs, and healthy fats from olive oil—all nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory whole foods while excluding grains, legumes, dairy, and processed ingredients.

Gluten-Free Diet

This whole roasted branzino is naturally gluten-free, containing only fish, fresh vegetables, herbs, citrus, olive oil, and wine—with no wheat, barley, rye, or gluten-containing ingredients whatsoever.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is exceptionally heart-healthy, featuring omega-3-rich branzino that supports cardiovascular health, heart-protective olive oil, minimal sodium, abundant herbs and vegetables, and zero saturated fats, trans fats, or processed ingredients.

High-Protein Diet

Each whole branzino (approximately 1.5 lbs) provides substantial high-quality protein (approximately 60-70g per fish), making this an excellent high-protein meal that features lean fish as the star ingredient with minimal carbohydrates and healthy fats from olive oil.

Hunter-Gatherer Diet

This recipe exemplifies hunter-gatherer eating with wild-caught fish, foraged-style herbs and vegetables, and natural fats from olive oil—ingredients that could theoretically be hunted, fished, or gathered—while avoiding all grains, legumes, dairy, and processed foods.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense fish dish is ideal for intermittent fasting eating windows, providing high-quality protein from branzino, healthy fats from olive oil, and abundant micronutrients from fresh herbs and vegetables without any processed ingredients or added sugars that could spike blood sugar.

Intuitive Eating

This elegant yet simple fish dish supports intuitive eating by offering a satisfying, nourishing meal that honors both taste preferences and gentle nutrition, featuring fresh ingredients prepared in a way that's naturally balanced without restrictive rules or guilt-inducing language.

Ketogenic Diet

This recipe is excellent for keto with virtually zero carbs from the fish protein and minimal carbs from the herbs and lemon, while providing high-quality fats from the olive oil and the natural omega-3s in branzino. The dish is naturally grain-free, sugar-free, and focuses on healthy fats and quality protein, making it ideal for maintaining ketosis.

Low-Carb Diet

This branzino recipe is naturally very low in carbohydrates with virtually zero net carbs from the fish and minimal carbs from the herbs, lemon, and fennel, while providing satisfying protein and healthy fats from olive oil—making it perfect for low-carb eating plans.

Low-Sodium Diet

This recipe can easily be adapted for low-sodium diets by reducing or omitting the 1 tsp sea salt and relying instead on the abundant fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, fennel), garlic, lemon, and black pepper for flavor—demonstrating how fresh ingredients can create delicious meals without excessive sodium.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe exemplifies Mayo Clinic Diet principles with lean protein from branzino, healthy fats from olive oil in moderate amounts, abundant vegetables and herbs, and zero processed foods, refined grains, or added sugars—creating a nutrient-dense, portion-appropriate meal.

Mediterranean Diet

This whole roasted branzino is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that perfectly embodies the diet's principles by featuring fresh fish as the primary protein, extra virgin olive oil, abundant fresh herbs (parsley, thyme), citrus, fennel, and garlic—all staples of Mediterranean coastal cuisine. The simple preparation method honors the quality of ingredients while avoiding processed foods, refined grains, and excessive salt.

MIND Diet

This recipe perfectly aligns with MIND Diet principles by featuring brain-healthy fatty fish rich in omega-3s, olive oil as the primary fat, and abundant fresh herbs and vegetables, while avoiding butter, cheese, and fried preparations that the diet restricts.

Mindful Eating

This whole roasted branzino is perfect for mindful eating, engaging multiple senses through its visual presentation, aromatic herbs and citrus, varied textures from crispy skin and tender flesh, and the ritual of preparing and serving a whole fish that encourages slow, conscious consumption.

Neanderthal Diet

This recipe aligns with Neanderthal/Paleo eating patterns by featuring wild-caught fish, non-starchy vegetables, herbs, and healthy fats—all whole, unprocessed foods that could be hunted or gathered—while completely avoiding grains, legumes, dairy, and processed ingredients.

Nordic Diet

This preparation reflects Nordic Diet principles with its emphasis on fresh, high-quality fatty fish, rapeseed/canola oil compatibility (olive oil as healthy fat), root vegetables (fennel), and simple cooking methods that highlight natural flavors without heavy processing.

Paleo Diet

This whole roasted branzino is completely Paleo-compliant, featuring wild-caught fish, fresh vegetables (fennel), herbs, citrus, and olive oil—all whole, unprocessed ingredients that would have been available to hunter-gatherers. The recipe contains no grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, or processed ingredients.

Paleolithic Diet

This branzino dish is completely Paleolithic-compliant, featuring only ingredients available to pre-agricultural humans: wild-caught fish, vegetables, herbs, citrus, and olive oil, while strictly excluding all grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, and processed foods.

Pegan Diet

This recipe aligns with Pegan principles by featuring wild-caught fish as a clean protein source, abundant vegetables and herbs (fennel, parsley, thyme), healthy fats from olive oil, and zero dairy, gluten, or processed ingredients—creating an anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense meal.

Primal Blueprint

This whole roasted branzino perfectly fits Primal Blueprint guidelines with wild-caught fish as quality protein, abundant non-starchy vegetables and herbs, and healthy fats from olive oil, while avoiding all grains, legumes, refined sugars, and industrial seed oils.

Primal Diet

This whole roasted branzino is completely Primal-compliant, featuring wild-caught fish, fresh vegetables, herbs, and healthy fats from olive oil, while avoiding all grains, legumes, refined sugars, and processed ingredients—embodying the diet's focus on nutrient-dense whole foods.

South Beach Diet

This recipe fits all phases of South Beach Diet perfectly, featuring lean protein from branzino, healthy fats from olive oil, non-starchy vegetables (fennel), and fresh herbs while completely avoiding refined carbohydrates, added sugars, and processed foods.

Stone Age Diet

This whole roasted branzino is perfectly Stone Age/Paleo-compliant, featuring wild-caught fish, vegetables, herbs, and olive oil—all whole, unprocessed ingredients available to prehistoric humans—while completely excluding grains, legumes, dairy, and refined foods.

Warrior Diet

This whole roasted branzino fits the Warrior Diet's emphasis on whole, unprocessed foods during the evening eating window, featuring wild-caught fish, fresh vegetables, herbs, and healthy fats from olive oil—all organic-quality ingredients that our ancestors would have consumed.

Weight Watchers

This lean fish preparation is excellent for Weight Watchers, featuring branzino as a zero-point protein on most WW plans, minimal added fats (just 3 tbsp olive oil for 2 fish), and plenty of herbs and vegetables for flavor without excess calories or processed ingredients.

Whole30

This recipe is completely Whole30-compliant, featuring only whole, unprocessed ingredients: fresh fish, vegetables, herbs, citrus, and olive oil, with no added sugars, grains, legumes, dairy, or artificial ingredients of any kind.

Zone Diet

This branzino dish supports Zone Diet principles with lean protein from fish, healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil, and low-glycemic vegetables and herbs, creating a balanced meal that helps control insulin response and reduce inflammation.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and position the rack in the middle of the oven.

5 min
2

Pat the cleaned branzino completely dry inside and out using paper towels. This is crucial for achieving crispy skin.

2 min
3

Season the cavity of each fish generously with salt and pepper, using about half the total amount.

1 min
4

Stuff each fish cavity with half of the lemon slices, parsley, thyme sprigs, fennel fronds, and sliced garlic, distributing evenly.

3 min
5

If using sliced fennel bulb, arrange it in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet or roasting pan to create a bed for the fish.

1 min
6

Place the stuffed fish on the baking sheet (on top of fennel if using). Make 3-4 diagonal slashes on each side of the fish, cutting through the skin to help it cook evenly.

2 min
7

Drizzle the fish all over with olive oil, then rub it into the skin. Season the outside generously with the remaining salt and pepper.

1 min
8

If using white wine, pour it around (not over) the fish in the pan. This will create steam and keep the fish moist.

9

Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

25 min
10

Remove from the oven and let the fish rest for 3-5 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute.

5 min
11

Transfer the whole fish to a serving platter. Drizzle with any pan juices and garnish with fresh lemon wedges and additional fennel fronds if desired.

2 min
12

To serve, use a fish spatula to gently remove the top fillet from the bone, then lift away the skeleton to access the bottom fillet. Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing.

Frequently Asked Questions