Grilled Sea Bream is a delightful way to enjoy this tender, flavourful fish, particularly during the summer months when a barbecue is the perfect setting. Sea bream is known for its mild, slightly sweet taste and firm texture, making it an ideal candidate for grilling. Whether you’re an experienced cook or a beginner, grilling sea bream is a straightforward process that can yield delicious results with just a few simple steps.
To begin, you’ll need fresh sea bream, preferably gutted and cleaned by your fishmonger. The freshness of the fish is key; look for bright, clear eyes, shiny scales, and a fresh, sea-like smell. The preparation of the fish is minimal, but adding some ingredients inside the cavity of the sea bream will elevate the flavour during the grilling process.
Start by making shallow cuts on both sides of the fish. This allows the heat to penetrate more evenly and ensures that the seasonings infuse the flesh. For the seasoning, a simple combination of sea salt, black pepper, and olive oil will suffice. However, for added depth, you might want to stuff the cavity with a few slices of lemon, sprigs of fresh herbs such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley, and a couple of smashed garlic cloves. The citrus and herbs not only enhance the flavour but also keep the fish moist as it cooks.
Using a fish grill basket is highly recommended when grilling sea bream, particularly on a barbecue. The fish basket makes it easy to flip the fish without it sticking to the grill or falling apart, ensuring that the delicate skin stays intact and the flesh remains juicy. Before placing the fish in the basket, lightly oil the basket to prevent sticking.
Grill the sea bream over medium heat. The heat should be moderate to prevent the skin from burning before the fish is cooked through. Grill the fish for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side, depending on the size of the fish. You’ll know it’s done when the flesh flakes easily with a fork and is opaque all the way through.
Grilled sea bream is best served immediately, accompanied by a light salad or some grilled vegetables. The simplicity of the preparation allows the natural flavours of the fish to shine through, making it a truly enjoyable dish that highlights the essence of summer cooking. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue or simply grilling for a quiet dinner, sea bream is a fantastic choice that is sure to impress.
Grilled Sea Bream
Ingredients
- 2 large sea bream gutted and cleaned
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- sea salt to taste
- ground black pepper to taste
- 1 large lemon thinly sliced
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
Instructions
- Rinse the sea bream under cold water and pat dry with kitchen paper. Make three shallow slashes on both sides of each fish.2 large sea bream
- Rub the fish all over with olive oil, including inside the cavity. Season generously with sea salt and black pepper, making sure to get the seasoning into the slashes.2 tbsp olive oil, sea salt, ground black pepper
- Place a few lemon slices, a sprig of thyme, and a smashed garlic clove inside the cavity of each fish.1 large lemon, 4 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 cloves garlic
- Preheat your barbecue to medium heat. Lightly oil the fish grill basket to prevent sticking.
- Place the sea bream in the fish basket and close it securely. Grill for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until the fish is cooked through and the flesh flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove the fish from the grill basket and serve immediately with your choice of side dishes, such as a fresh salad or grilled vegetables.
6 comments
I have made this over the years and the flavours are always perfect. The flesh is flaky but the cage is a must to do this properly.
I was blown away by how simple yet delicious this grilled sea bream turned out! The lemon and thyme added a subtle, fresh flavour that complemented the fish perfectly.
Grilling the sea bream using a fish basket made the whole process so easy and stress-free. The skin was crispy, and the meat was juicy and full of flavour.
Grilled sea bream has never tasted this good! The herbs and lemon inside the fish added so much flavour, and the flesh was perfectly cooked – tender and flaky.
The fish grill basket made grilling the sea bream a breeze, and the result was a deliciously cooked fish with a nice, crispy skin. The lemon and garlic added a lovely depth of flavour. A bit more seasoning on the outside next time possibly.
The only thing I might do differently next time is add a bit of chilli for a little extra kick, but it was excellent as is