[This post is sponsored by The Home Depot. I’m excited to partner with them to share grilling recipes using the Weber Genesis II E315 grill. To start, you’re going to love this grilled whole fish.]
Hello! I can’t say enough how much I adore this grilled branzino.
This recipe is hands-down one of my favorites. It’s simple, impressive, and delivers incredible flavor. Grilling a whole fish keeps it juicy and infuses it with a subtle smoky note that elevates the dish.
The Weber Genesis II E315 grill from The Home Depot is sleek, roomy, and easy to use. The Home Depot offers free delivery on grills and free in-store assembly, which makes getting started effortless. We’ve used ours for everything from grilled vegetables to pizzas, and it makes an enormous difference in flavor.
A few notes about grilling whole fish
Grilling a whole fish at home may seem intimidating, but it’s actually straightforward. If you’ve ever had whole fish at a restaurant, you know how rewarding it is — flaky, moist flesh with crisp skin. Start simple: fresh lemon, garlic, herbs, salt, pepper, and a drizzle of oil. That’s all you need to let the fish shine.
My best tip
Ask your fishmonger to clean and scale the fish for you. That saves time and makes the process much less stressful. Tell them you’re grilling it — they might offer helpful tips about size or preparation. I also always have them remove the innards and scales; a few scales may remain, but it cuts out the fiddly parts.
I chose branzino for this recipe, but red snapper or other similar whole fish work beautifully. The flavor is bright and buttery when finished, and stuffing the cavity with lemon, garlic and thyme keeps the interior fragrant and moist.
Serving and carving
You can present the fish whole for a stunning centerpiece, or carve it for easier serving, especially for kids. I followed a trusted method for carving whole fish and recommend keeping a pair of kitchen tweezers on hand to remove any pin bones. Fresh lemon wedges on the side brighten every bite.
To accompany the fish, a simple avocado mango salad adds sweet, creamy, and zesty contrast. It’s quick to assemble and pairs perfectly with the grilled fish.
Grilled Whole Fish with Avocado Mango Salad
Whole Grilled Fish with Avocado Mango Salad
2
to 4 people
30 mins
20 mins
50 mins
Ingredients
- 2 whole fish, such as branzino, about 1 pound each
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for spritzing
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 6 garlic cloves
- 4 whole lemons
- a bunch of fresh thyme
- fresh herbs for serving, like cilantro and mint
- kitchen twine
avocado mango salad
- 2 avocados, chopped
- 1 mango, chopped
- 1 jalapeno, seeds removed and sliced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
- juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Bring the fish out of the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before grilling so it won’t stick to the grates.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high and heat the grates for at least 20 minutes.
- Drizzle the inside of each fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Stuff each cavity with slices of one lemon, garlic cloves and fresh thyme. Tie the fish with kitchen twine to keep the stuffing inside. Lightly spray or brush the outside of the fish with a high-heat oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the fish gently on the grill. Grill 7 to 8 minutes, then carefully flip using tongs or a large spatula. Grill another 7 to 8 minutes, until the flesh is opaque and the skin is crisp. Meanwhile, halve the remaining lemons and grill them cut-side down for 5 to 6 minutes.
- For larger fish, add about 5 minutes per side as needed.
- Serve whole or carve the fish, squeezing grilled lemon over the top. Garnish with fresh herbs and the avocado mango salad. Remove any pin bones with tweezers if desired.
avocado mango salad
- Stir all salad ingredients together in a large bowl and serve immediately.
Did you make this recipe?
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This will definitely become a go-to spring meal.