Pan Seared Branzino
Branzino is the name used for European seabass and you will love the flavor of this pan seared Branzino. It is a white fish that is very mild in flavor with a firm, flaky texture. This fish is native to the coasts of Italy, Spain and Greece and is popular in Mediterranean countries. It is also farmed in places including the United States. It is low in fat and calories and high in omega 3 fatty acids and other vitamins and minerals. You can easily make a restaurant quality fish by enhancing its flavor with herbs and seasonings. All you will need is a frying pan, olive oil, lemon and a few spices. If you are looking for a healthy and delicious meal this is the perfect choice. It goes well with my Caprese Salad or Angel Hair Pasta With Vegetables and some nice crusty Italian bread.
Where to purchase Branzino:
You can purchase Branzino frozen fillets at Trader Joes for a very reasonable price (package contains about 4 small fillets). Whole Foods sells whole Branzino but they don’t have fillets. You can also find whole Branzino at Costco. Depending on where you live you can find it in some fresh fish markets. There are also online fish markets that sell Branzino but it is a little more expensive. It is well worth the price. Pictured below is the Branzino available at Trader Joes.
What you will need to make Pan Seared Branzino:
- Two fresh or frozen Branzino fillets. If you are using frozen fillets, unthaw them before cooking.
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter or you can use a combination of both.
- Lemon slices (1/2 lemon)
- Garlic sea salt blend to taste (Sprouts has one you can purchase with a grinder that is very good).
- 2 tsp dried parsley flakes
- Fresh ground pepper to taste
How to make pan seared Branzino:
- Pat the fish dry. Season the fleshy side of the fish with garlic sea salt blend, parsley flakes and fresh ground pepper.
- In a non-stick frying pan heat the olive oil on medium high heat.
- Add the fillets to the pan skin side down. Squeeze the lemons over the fish and then place the lemon slices on top of the fillets.
- Cook until the skin is crispy and golden in color and the fish is flaky and opaque in color (approximately 4-5 minutes). Turn the fish and cook for about a minute with the lemon under the fish to carmelize it. Cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the fillet.
- Transfer the fish to a plate and serve immediately with additional lemon slices. If you like to eat the skin serve it skin side up so the skin stays crisp.
Notes:
- If you don’t have a garlic sea salt blend you could use a couple of cloves of fresh minced garlic and just add the sea salt separately.
- If you can’t find Branzino you could substitute trout. Trout is a little different in flavor and texture but is also a mild tasting fish.
- You can cook more fillets if needed. The Trader Joes Branzino package contains 4 fillets.
Other delicious recipes to try:
Chicken And Rice With Zucchini
Pan Seared Branzino
Ingredients
- 2 Branzino fillets, unthawed if frozen
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- garlic sea salt blend, to taste
- 2 tsp dried parsley flakes
- fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 lemon, sliced
Instructions
- Pat fish dry. Season the fleshy side of the fish with garlic sea salt, parsley flakes and fresh ground pepper.
- In a non-stick frying pan heat the olive oil on medium high heat. Add the fillets to the pan skin side down. Squeeze the lemon juice on the fish and then place the lemon slices on top of the fillets.
- Cook until the skin is crispy and golden in color and the fish is flaky and opaque in color. Turn the fish and cook for about a minute with the lemon under the fish to carmelize it. Cook time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the fillet.
- Transfer the fish to a plate and serve immediately with additional lemon slices. If you like to eat the skin serve it skin side up so the skin stays crisp.