Elevate your grilled Branzino with this vibrant, fresh marinade that enhances the fish’s delicate flavor. This recipe focuses on creating the perfect herb and citrus marinade that will infuse your Branzino with bright, Mediterranean flavors while keeping the flesh moist and tender during grilling.
Ingredients
For the Fish
- 2 whole Branzino (1-1.5 pounds each), cleaned and scaled
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the Signature Marinade
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 lemons (2 for juice, 1 for slicing)
- 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, finely chopped
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Marinade Preparation (15 minutes)
- Combine Fresh Herbs
- Finely chop all herbs together
- Mix in minced garlic and shallot
- Create Base
- In a bowl, combine olive oil and juice of 2 lemons
- Add salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using
- Whisk until well combined
- Finish Marinade
- Add herb mixture to oil-lemon base
- Stir well to combine
- Let sit for 10 minutes to blend flavors
Fish Preparation (20 minutes)
- Clean and Score
- Pat fish completely dry with paper towels
- Score 3-4 diagonal cuts on each side
- Season cavity with salt and pepper
- Apply Marinade
- Brush marinade generously inside cavity
- Rub marinade into scored cuts
- Coat entire exterior of fish
- Place lemon slices inside cavity
- Marinating Time
- Let fish marinate 15-30 minutes
- Don’t exceed 30 minutes to prevent breaking down
- Keep at room temperature while marinating
Alternative Marinade Variations
Citrus-Heavy Version
- Add orange and lime juice
- Include citrus zest
- Reduce olive oil slightly
Herb-Intensive Version
- Double herb quantities
- Add fresh dill and mint
- Increase garlic amount
Mild Version
- Omit red pepper flakes
- Reduce garlic by half
- Use meyer lemons for gentler citrus
Grilling Instructions
- Prepare Grill
- Heat to medium-high (400°F)
- Clean grates thoroughly
- Oil grates well
- Grill Fish
- Place at 45-degree angle to grates
- Grill 5-6 minutes per side
- Brush with remaining marinade while cooking
- Check Doneness
- Fish should flake easily
- Internal temperature 135°F
- Skin should be crispy
Serving Tips
Presentation
- Remove lemon slices from cavity
- Garnish with fresh herbs
- Add grilled lemon halves
Accompaniments
- Fresh herb salad
- Grilled vegetables
- Herbed quinoa or couscous
Pro Tips for Success
- Marinade Best Practices
- Use only fresh herbs, not dried
- Make marinade just before using
- Reserve some marinade for basting
- Don’t reuse marinade that touched raw fish
- Fish Selection
- Choose fish with clear eyes
- Flesh should be firm
- Skin should be shiny
- Gills should be bright red
- Temperature Management
- Remove fish from refrigerator 30 minutes before marinating
- Keep marinade at room temperature
- Maintain consistent grill temperature
Common Questions
Q: Can I make the marinade ahead?
A: Prepare up to 4 hours ahead, but add fresh herbs just before using.
Q: How long can I marinate the fish?
A: No more than 30 minutes to prevent the acid from “cooking” the fish.
Q: Can I use this marinade for other fish?
A: Yes, it works well with other mild white fish like sea bass or snapper.
Ready to create your perfectly marinated grilled Branzino? Remember, the key is using fresh ingredients and not over-marinating. Share your results and any variations you’ve tried in the comments below!
Chef’s Note: For the best flavor, try to find herbs that are as fresh as possible. The difference in taste between fresh and older herbs is remarkable in a marinade.