Legume 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 whole fish — branzino, sea bass, or red snapper all work beautifully — get scored, seasoned, and stuffed with lemon rounds, fresh thyme, rosemary, garlic, and parsley before hitting a hot oven alongside sliced zucchini and fennel. The result is crispy-skinned, fragrant, and deeply flavorful in a way that a fillet simply cannot match. Because the entire dish is built around fresh fish, vegetables, olive oil, and herbs, there is nothing here that sneaks in beans, lentils, peas, or any other legume — it is naturally free of them without any substitutions required. The fennel softens and caramelizes on the baking sheet while the fish roasts above it, making the vegetables just as craveable as the main event. A squeeze of fresh lemon over everything at the table ties the whole Mediterranean picture together. This is the kind of weeknight-or-dinner-party recipe that earns serious compliments with minimal fuss.
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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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