Best 5 Herb Stuffed Whole Fish Recipes

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Preparing a herb-stuffed whole fish is an art form that combines flavors and textures to create a delectable dish. From selecting the freshest fish to choosing the perfect herbs and aromatic ingredients, every step of the process adds depth to the final result. Whether you prefer a delicate white fish like sea bass or a hearty and flavorful option like salmon, there's a herb-stuffed whole fish recipe waiting to tantalize your taste buds. Explore our curated collection of recipes and discover the secrets to creating this culinary masterpiece, sure to impress family and friends at your next gathering.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

FISH STUFFED WITH HERBS, WALNUTS AND POMEGRANATE



Fish Stuffed With Herbs, Walnuts and Pomegranate image

During Nowruz, the Persian New Year, it's traditional to eat fish, a symbol of life. This version, adapted from the chef Hanif Sadr, is stuffed with bij, a mixture of chopped herbs, walnuts and pomegranate molasses that forms the base of many northern Iranian dishes. After a short turn in a hot oven, the fish emerges with crisp, brown skin. The sweet and sour herb filling contrasts with the delicate, flaky fish without overwhelming it. You can use a food processor to chop the herbs if you'd like. It's key to do the herbs in batches (don't overfill the bowl of the processor), to pulse rather than run and to stop and scrape a few times for even chopping. Work until the pieces are nice and small, about an eighth of an inch or the size of a small sunflower seed, but not so far that they begin to break down and form a paste.

Provided by Samin Nosrat

Categories     dinner, seafood, main course

Time 45m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

4 tablespoons olive oil, more as needed
2 large shallots, minced
Salt
1/2 cup very finely chopped parsley leaves and tender stems (about 1 small bunch)
1/2 cup very finely chopped cilantro leaves and tender stems (about 1 bunch)
1/4 cup very finely chopped dill leaves and tender stems (about 1 small bunch)
1/3 cup very finely chopped chives (about 1 bunch)
2 sprigs tarragon, leaves stripped and very finely chopped
1/4 cup very finely chopped scallions (about 3 scallions)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup walnuts, finely ground in a food processor
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 orange)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (about 2 limes)
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
2 tablespoons tobiko (flying fish roe), optional
4 whole branzino or rainbow trout, 1 pound each, butterflied

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 475 degrees. Set a large frying pan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons olive oil. When oil shimmers, add shallots and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 12 minutes until the shallots are tender and golden brown.
  • Meanwhile, place herbs, scallions, garlic and walnuts in a large bowl. Stir well with a wooden spoon to combine.
  • Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the pan, then add the herb mixture. Add a generous pinch of salt and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until herbs begin to soften, about 4 minutes.
  • Combine zest, orange juice and lime juice in a small bowl or glass. Add 6 tablespoons of the juice mixture to the herbs and cook another 4 minutes, until the taste of raw garlic subsides and the liquid simmers away. Add pomegranate molasses and tobiko, if using. Cook, stirring, for another 2 minutes, until molasses is absorbed. Remove from heat and let cool.
  • Season the fish with salt, inside and out. Lay the fish open on a cutting board and drizzle 1 tablespoon juice mixture onto the flesh of each fish. Spoon about 1/4 cup stuffing inside each fish and tie closed with kitchen twine spaced 2 inches apart.
  • Lightly drizzle a baking sheet with olive oil and lay fish on the sheet. Drizzle remaining juice over fish. Roast until flesh is opaque, flaky and firm to the touch, 18 to 20 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 583, UnsaturatedFat 19 grams, Carbohydrate 15 grams, Fat 29 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 62 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 933 milligrams, Sugar 9 grams, TransFat 0 grams

GRILL-ROASTED WHOLE FISH STUFFED WITH FRESH HERBS AND WRAPPED IN PANCETTA



Grill-Roasted Whole Fish Stuffed with Fresh Herbs and Wrapped in Pancetta image

Provided by Elizabeth Karmel

Categories     Fish     Herb     Pork     Backyard BBQ     Dinner     Lunch     Seafood     Summer     Grill     Grill/Barbecue     Tarragon     Thyme     Sugar Conscious     Paleo     Dairy Free     Wheat/Gluten-Free     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     No Sugar Added

Yield Makes 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 whole fish, about 1 pound each, cleaned, such as trout, snapper, whitefish, flounder, or bluefish
1 cup fresh herbs such as tarragon, thyme, marjoram, etc.
Olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pound thinly cut pancetta or center-cut bacon

Steps:

  • Grilling Method: Indirect/Medium Heat
  • Rinse fish and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper inside and out. Place fresh herbs inside cavity of fish. Lightly oil both sides of fish. Wrap seasoned, oiled fish with pancetta or bacon that is thinly sliced and unrolled. Wrap fish loosely, mummy-style, with the pancetta, leaving head and tail exposed.
  • Place fish in center of cooking grate. Cook until opaque, but still moist in thickest part (10 to 15 minutes). Remove from grill.
  • Place fish onto platter and serve immediately.

LEMON HERB FISH STUFF - IDEAL FOR BASS.



Lemon Herb Fish Stuff - Ideal for Bass. image

I don't even like fish that much. But this is superb. This recipe is ideal for a pond bass - one that would normally taste like the murky water it swims in. It goes from bottom feeder to beautiful. I've tried this with other fish too and it's so tasty. Even got the complements of a three star chef on this one.

Provided by Shrimptastic

Categories     Bass

Time 29m

Yield 2-3 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 whole sea bass (or any other whole fish really)
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
3 sprigs fresh thyme
3 sprigs fresh oregano
7 leaves fresh basil (don't have to be exact on the herbs so don't stress it - if you have something else fresh instead of)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 lemon
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Steps:

  • Note: this is for a 1.
  • 5 to 2 lb fish so adjust your proportions accordingly.
  • Gut and clean the fish.
  • Place fish on a piece of aluminum foil large enough to wrap the whole thing up on both sides.
  • Coat the inside of the fish with one tablespoon of olive oil, and toss in a teaspoon of kosher salt.
  • Cut lemon into 3/4" wedges and place three of them inside the fish (save the rest of the lemon for tea or something else).
  • Stuff the herbs and garlic into the fish, saving a few leaves of basil for the outside.
  • Coat the outside of the fish with the other tablespoon and a half of olive oil, sprinkle with a half teaspoon of kosher salt.
  • Toss on a few leaves of basil and fold over the foil to the whole thing is covered.
  • You'll want a little space so the fish can steam.
  • This is where all the taste and herb flavor infusion comes from.
  • Put the whole wrapped up and stuffed fish on the grill.
  • Grill on medium heat for 5-7 minutes on either side (it's okay to peek) til fish flakes.
  • Serve with lemon wedges.
  • I like to keep the head on and pick it off the bone.
  • Filet if you have a large fish.
  • Enjoy.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 162.7, Fat 17.1, SaturatedFat 2.4, Sodium 874.3, Carbohydrate 6.3, Fiber 2.6, Protein 0.8

WHOLE STUFFED ROAST FISH WITH FENNEL



Whole stuffed roast fish with fennel image

This roast fish dish was inspired by Sicily, where the aromatic spices and dried fruit of Arabian cuisine meet with the fresh fish and veg of the Med

Provided by Good Food team

Categories     Fish Course, Main course

Time 1h5m

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 fennel bulbs , halved and finely sliced
1 large onion , halved and finely sliced
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil , plus extra for drizzling
2 lemons , 1 zested then juiced, 1 cut into wedges
200g couscous
pinch of saffron threads
250ml chicken or vegetable stock
2 larger or 4 smaller whole fish , cleaned and scaled (we used Anglesey sea bass)
small pack dill , finely chopped
2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
250g baby plum tomatoes , halved
1 tbsp currants

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the fennel and onion in a large roasting tin and toss with 2 tbsp oil, 1 tbsp lemon juice and plenty of seasoning. Roast for 20 mins until almost tender and starting to caramelise. Meanwhile, put the couscous in a medium bowl. Mix the saffron and hot stock, pour over the couscous and cover with cling film.
  • Rinse the fish with cold water inside and out, then pat dry. Slash deeply on both sides and season with salt, pepper and a pinch of the lemon zest. After 10 mins soaking, fluff up the couscous with a fork and add 2 tbsp lemon juice, the remaining zest, the dill, 1 tbsp pine nuts and seasoning to taste. Stuff the couscous into the cavity of each fish, reserving any leftover couscous for later.
  • Stir the tomatoes and currants into the tin. Sit the fish on top and roast for about 30 mins, depending on its size. Look for juices running from the slashes in the flesh. Tug gently on the back fin - if it comes away easily, the fish is cooked.
  • 4 Scatter with the rest of the pine nuts, then serve from the tin, with lemon wedges for squeezing over. Serve one stuffed fish per person, or if you have cooked large fish, gently lift the fillets from the top of the fish first, then turn over and repeat. Share out the couscous stuffing and leftover couscous.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Fat 18 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 45 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 11 grams sugar, Fiber 9 grams fiber, Protein 36 grams protein, Sodium 0.5 milligram of sodium

HERB-STUFFED BLUEFISH



Herb-Stuffed Bluefish image

Herbs and lemon slices give this bluefish extra flavor.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Seafood Recipes

Time 25m

Number Of Ingredients 5

1 bluefish (2 3/4 pounds), cleaned but otherwise intact
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
1 lemon
1 bunch mixed fresh herb sprigs, such as thyme, rosemary, and flat-leaf parsley
Extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Preheat grill or broiler to high. Season fish with salt and pepper. Cut half the lemon into thin slices, and stuff cavity with lemon slices and herbs. Coat outside of fish with oil.
  • Place fish on grill or rimmed baking pan, and grill or broil until skin is charred and fish is firm to the touch, about 6 minutes. Flip fish, and grill or broil until just cooked through, about 6 minutes more.
  • Let rest 3 minutes. Remove top fillet by sliding a spatula between flesh and backbone (flesh should easily release), then pull out backbone. Remove bottom fillet. Squeeze remaining lemon half over fish, and serve.

Tips for Perfect Herb-Stuffed Whole Fish:

  • Choose the Right Fish: Opt for a firm-fleshed fish like sea bass, trout, or tilapia. These hold their shape well during cooking and can withstand the stuffing.
  • Fresh Herbs are Key: Use a variety of fresh herbs for the stuffing. Common choices include parsley, thyme, rosemary, sage, and dill. Chop them finely to evenly distribute their flavor.
  • Don't Overstuff the Fish: The stuffing should complement the fish, not overpower it. Aim for a ratio of 1 cup of stuffing for every 1 pound of fish.
  • Secure the Fish Properly: Use toothpicks or kitchen twine to secure the fish closed. This prevents the stuffing from spilling out during cooking.
  • Roast at the Right Temperature: Roast the fish at a high temperature initially to sear the skin and lock in the juices. Then, reduce the heat to finish cooking the fish gently.
  • Baste the Fish: Baste the fish with melted butter or olive oil during roasting. This helps keep it moist and prevents it from drying out.

Conclusion:

Herb-stuffed whole fish is an impressive and flavorful dish that's perfect for special occasions. With the right techniques and a bit of practice, you can master this dish and impress your friends and family. Remember to choose a firm-fleshed fish, use fresh herbs, stuff the fish lightly, secure it properly, roast it at the right temperature, and baste it during cooking. Experiment with different herb combinations and accompaniments to create your own unique recipe. Enjoy the deliciousness of herb-stuffed whole fish!

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