Grilled Whole Fish with Garlic and Lemon

Serves 6
Time 20 min
Grilled Whole Fish with Garlic and Lemon

Grilled whole fish is perfect with a few simple additions like tender grilled garlic, lots of herbs and a squeeze of fragrant lemon juice. If you’re just learning this technique, start with a smaller fish like branzino for easier flipping on the grill. Ask your fishmonger to prepare the fish for cooking whole.

Special Diets:

Dairy FreeDairy Free
Gluten FreeGluten Free
Sugar ConsciousSugar Conscious

Ingredients

    3 (1-pound)whole branzino or 1 (3-pound) whole red snapper, cleaned, scaled and gills removed
    3 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil, divided
    1 teaspoonfine sea salt, divided
    1garlic bulb, halved crosswise through the middle
    2lemons (1 thinly sliced and the other cut in half)s
    1/4 cuptarragon leaves
    4thyme sprigs

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Method

Prepare a grill for medium-high heat cooking. Clean the grates once hot.


Cut 3 deep slits crosswise on each side of fish.


Rub all over with 2 1/2 tablespoons of the oil, sprinkle all over (including inside belly cavity) with 3/4 teaspoon of the salt and stuff the belly cavity with herbs and lemon slices.


Rub garlic bulb all over with remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil.


Grill fish until skin is blistered on the first side and not sticking to the grates, 6 to 8 minutes for branzino, 12 to 14 minutes for red snapper.


Using a large, long spatula, carefully flip fish. (If you like, use a small baking sheet as a second tool to guide the flip.)


Continue to grill until skin is blistered on the second side and flesh is opaque and easily flakes with a fork, about 5 minutes more for branzino, 10 minutes more for red snapper.


Meanwhile, place garlic, cut side down, on the grill and cook, flipping halfway through, until just charred and tender, 6 to 8 minutes.


Remove from the grill, wrap tightly in foil and let steam.


Grill lemon halves, cut side down, until just charred and juicy, about 5 minutes.


When fish is done, use 2 spatulas to carefully transfer it to a large platter and let rest for 5 minutes.


Meanwhile, squeeze cooked garlic cloves into a small bowl, discarding skins, and mash with a fork.


Squeeze grilled lemon halves into the garlic, discarding any seeds.


Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to make a thick sauce.


Serve fish whole at the table, spooning lemon-garlic sauce over each portion.

Nutritional Info

Serving Size

Calories

310

Total Fat

10g

Saturated Fat

1.5g

Cholesterol

85mg

Sodium

540mg

Total Carbohydrate

4g

Dietary Fiber

0g

Total Sugars

0g

Protein

47g

Note: We've provided special diet and nutritional information for educational purposes. But remember - we're cooks, not doctors! You should follow the advice of your health-care provider. And since product formulations change, check product labels for the most recent ingredient information. See our Terms of Service.