Go Back

Whole Grilled Fish with Avocado Mango Salad

Grilled whole fish is easier than it looks! Try this recipe for the butteriest, most flavorful grilled whole fish paired with an avocado mango salad.
5 from 5 votes
Leave a Review »

Ingredients

  • 2 whole fish, such as branzino, about 1 pound each
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for spritzing
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
  • 6 garlic cloves
  • 4 whole lemons
  • a bunch of fresh thyme
  • fresh herbs for serving, like cilantro and mint
  • kitchen twine

avocado mango salad

Instructions 

  • Important!! Bring your fish out of the fridge 15 to 20 minutes before grilling. This helps the fish to not stick to the grill.
  • Preheat your grill grates on medium to high heat for at least 20 minutes.
  • Drizzle the inside of each fish with olive oil, then sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Stuff each with the slices of one whole lemon, garlic cloves and fresh thyme. Use a piece of kitchen twine to secure the fish together. This helps the stuffing stay inside the fish on the grill, especially when flipping it. Spray the outside of the fish with olive oil or avocado oil – or another high-heat oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Gently place the fish on the grill. Grill for 7 to 8 minutes, then carefully flip the fish over using tongs or a grill spatula. Grill for 7 to 8 minutes more. You want the inside of the fish to be opaque and the outside skin to be crisp. In the meantime, slice the remaining lemons in half and place them cut-side down on the grill. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes.
  • Note: for the red snapper in the photos, I stuffed it with the same ingredients and used the same method! I added about 5 minutes cook time per side because it was much larger.
  • You can serve the whole fish exactly as is or you can follow these instructions on carving the whole fish. Serve with the lemons for spritzing, the avocado mango salad and fresh herbs, like cilantro and mint. Devour!

avocado mango salad

  • Stir all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve immediately!
Instagram

Did you make this recipe?

Be sure to follow @howsweeteats on instagram and tag #howsweeteats. You can also post a photo of your recipe to our facebook page.
I appreciate you so much!