This Trader Joe’s style Roasted Branzino is a simple and elegant recipe, which is made with a whole roasted branzino stuffed with lemon and rosemary. It’s the perfect healthy weeknight dinner, a restaurant-quality dish that’s ready in about 45 minutes.
Jump to RecipeTrader Joe’s Branzino Ingredients
A simple list for a light, fresh, and impressive Mediterranean-style meal.
- 2 whole Branzino (Mediterranean sea bass), cleaned (like the ones from Trader Joe’s)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 4 lemon wedges, divided
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- ½ cup dry white wine
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
How To Make Trader Joe’s Branzino
A step-by-step guide to this wonderfully simple and elegant fish dinner.
- Prep the Oven and Pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil into a large baking pan. Scatter the chopped red onion in the pan and season with salt and pepper.
- Prepare the Fish: Pat the branzino dry, inside and out. Stuff the cavity of each fish with one lemon wedge, one rosemary sprig, and some of the red onion from the pan.
- Assemble and Bake: Place the stuffed fish into the baking pan. Pour the white wine and lemon juice over the fish, then sprinkle with the fresh oregano. Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the top of the fish.
- Roast to Perfection: Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Debone and Serve: To serve, gently slide a spatula along the backbone of the fish to separate the top fillet. Lift the fillet off, then carefully lift out and discard the entire bone structure. The bottom fillet will be left behind. Serve the fish on a platter, garnished with the fresh parsley and the remaining lemon wedges.
Recipe Tips
For a perfect, moist, and flavorful roasted fish every time.
- How do I know when the fish is cooked? The best way to check is to insert a fork into the thickest part of the fish and gently twist. If the flesh flakes apart easily and is no longer translucent, it’s done. Be careful not to overcook it, or it can become dry.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Fish is always at its best when served fresh from the oven. If you need to prep ahead, you can chop your onion and have all your other ingredients ready to go, so assembly is quick.
- How to get a crispy skin? This recipe is for a gentle roast. For a crispier skin, you can pat the skin very dry before seasoning and start the fish in a hotter oven (400°F) for the first 10 minutes, then reduce the heat.
- Can I grill this? Yes! This is a fantastic fish for grilling whole. Make sure your grill grates are very clean and well-oiled. Grill over medium-high heat for about 7-10 minutes per side, flipping once carefully.
What To Serve With Roasted Branzino
Classic Mediterranean sides to complete this healthy meal.
This light and flavorful fish is a wonderful centerpiece for a healthy dinner. It pairs beautifully with:
- Roasted potatoes or a simple rice pilaf
- Grilled or steamed asparagus
- A simple Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumber, and feta
- A crusty loaf of bread for soaking up the delicious pan juices
How To Store Roasted Branzino
Keeping your delicious leftovers fresh.
- Refrigerate: Once completely cooled, store any leftover fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- How to use leftovers: Leftover roasted branzino is delicious flaked into a pasta dish with olive oil and garlic, or used to top a fresh green salad for a healthy lunch.
Trader Joe’s Branzino Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per serving.
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Fat: 22 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Branzino is the Italian name for European sea bass. It’s a popular Mediterranean fish known for its mild, slightly sweet flavor and delicate, flaky white flesh. It’s fantastic for roasting or grilling whole.
It’s much easier than it sounds, especially with a fish that’s been perfectly roasted! After it’s cooked, the flesh and bones separate very easily. Just run a spatula down the spine and the top fillet should lift right off.
Yes. This recipe would also work beautifully with other whole white fish of a similar size, such as sea bream, red snapper, or trout.
Try More Recipes:
- Trader Joe’s Banana Bread Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Miso Ginger Broth Recipe
- Trader Joe’s Thai Wheat Noodles Recipe
Trader Joe’s Branzino Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: MediterraneanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes25
minutes450
kcalAn easy, elegant, and healthy recipe for whole roasted Branzino, stuffed with lemon and rosemary and baked in a white wine and lemon sauce. The perfect quick, one-pan dinner.
Ingredients
2 whole Branzino fish, cleaned
1 red onion, chopped
4 lemon wedges
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
½ cup white wine
¼ cup lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh oregano
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F. Scatter the chopped onion in the bottom of a large, oiled baking pan.
- Stuff the cavity of each fish with a lemon wedge and a sprig of rosemary.
- Place the fish in the pan on top of the onions.
- Pour the white wine and lemon juice over the fish. Sprinkle with oregano and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- To serve, debone the fish by lifting off the top fillet, then removing the central bone structure.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with the remaining lemon wedges.
Notes
- Using a whole fish from Trader Joe’s (often found in the frozen section) makes this an easy and impressive meal.
- Don’t overcook the fish! It’s done as soon as the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.
- The pan juices created from the wine, lemon, and olive oil are delicious spooned over the fish when serving.
- For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes before baking.
