Honey Free Mediterranean Whole Roasted Fish with Herbs and Lemon
Whole roasted fish is one of those showstopper meals that looks far more impressive than the effort it actually takes. Two beautiful fish — branzino, sea bass, or red snapper all work wonderfully — get stuffed with lemon rounds, fresh thyme, rosemary, garlic, and parsley before hitting a hot oven alongside a bed of sliced zucchini and fennel. The result is fragrant, herb-forward, and deeply satisfying in that clean, coastal way that makes you feel like you're eating somewhere with a sea view. Every single ingredient here is naturally free of sweeteners, so there's no need to scan labels or swap anything out — this dish just works as written. Scoring the fish before roasting is the small technique that makes a real difference, letting the seasoning sink into the flesh and helping everything cook evenly all the way through. A squeeze of fresh lemon at the table ties it all together and brightens the savory roasted vegetables underneath. Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or something that needs to impress, this one earns its place at the table.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 2 whole fish (about 1.5 lb each), such as branzino, sea bass, or red snapper, scaled and gutted
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp sea salt
- ½ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced into rounds
- 6 sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- ¼ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
- 1 medium fennel bulb, cored and thinly sliced
- ½ tsp dried oregano
For serving
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges, for serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the zucchini and fennel with 1 tbsp of the olive oil, the dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper on a large rimmed baking sheet, then spread them into an even layer.
- 2
Pat the fish completely dry inside and out with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, cut 3 diagonal slashes about 1/2 inch deep through the thickest part of each fish on both sides — this helps the fish cook evenly and allows the seasoning to penetrate.
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