What is Branzino, really?

Branzino is a light, flaky fish that's often overlooked but incredibly tasty. So, what exactly is it, and how can you prepare it?

What is Branzino?

Branzino, also known as European bass, is a white fish found in the Mediterranean and along northern Africa's coastlines. It's a staple in Italian cooking.

What does Branzino taste like?

Branzino has a mild, flaky texture with a hint of sweetness, similar to other sea bass and halibut. It's commonly served whole, paired with lemon.

Is Branzino always served whole?

While branzino is often roasted whole with fresh citrus, it can also be grilled, steamed, or baked to perfection.

If you're not a fan of whole fish, branzino's delicate flakes make it perfect for adding to pastas, soups, stews, or casseroles.

Branzino vs. Sea Bass

The term "sea bass" refers to a variety of fish, not a specific species. Many of these aren't even true bass.

For instance, Chilean sea bass, which is rich and buttery, is actually the Patagonian toothfish. Meanwhile, blue spotted sea bass and giant sea bass are both types of grouper.

Black sea bass, found along the Southeastern U.S. coast, is a true bass, similar to branzino.

Branzino stands out for its delicate, flaky texture and subtle, mild flavor.

Branzino substitute

When searching for a branzino substitute, choose a white, lean, and flaky fish. Some great alternatives include Atlantic croaker, black sea bass, flounder, rainbow smelt, red snapper, tilapia, rainbow trout, weakfish (sea trout), and whiting.

Where to buy Branzino in the U.S.

Branzino can often be found at local grocery stores or fish markets, depending on your location. It's farmed worldwide, including in New England, particularly in Connecticut.

If you're having difficulty locating it, look for branzino under the name "European sea bass."

How to cook Branzino

The most popular method for cooking branzino is to roast or grill it whole, as this helps retain moisture in the flesh while achieving a crispy skin.

For roasting, bake branzino at 400°F for about four minutes per side. Then, switch your oven to broil and cook for another five minutes. The fish is done when the skin begins to blister.

Check out these delicious branzino recipes to try today:

• Branzino Mediterranean
• Crispy Roasted Branzini with Burst Tomatoes and Butter Beans
• Smoked Whole Branzino