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How to Cook Barramundi: Easy Recipes

 

The Team

by The Team

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Asian-marinated barramundi fillets
These Asian-marinated barramundi fillets provide a simple start to restaurant-quality dishes.

But First, What is Barramundi?

Barramundi is a delicious fish also known as Asian sea bass. As a seafood, it’s a culinary gem that has captured hearts and appetites across the globe.

With its delicate, flaky flesh and subtle taste, barramundi is a versatile option that can accompany and enhance many different flavours. From grilling to pan-frying and baking to broiling, barramundi is a great choice whether you’re cooking at home or dining out.

Quick piece of nutrition information

Like most seafood, barramundi is rich in high-quality protein and omega-3 and naturally low in saturated fat.

How Does Barramundi Taste?

There’s nothing quite like the harmonious blend of subtle sweetness and buttery undertones barramundi offers. It has a distinctive, gentle flavour profile that allows you to dish up both gourmet feasts and quick weeknight delights. 

Barramundi with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 2 fresh barramundi fillets
  • Lemon juice (from 1 fruit)
  • 2-3 cloves minced garlic
  • 2-3 tablespoons creamy unsalted butter
  • High-quality olive oil
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoons sea salt (for each fillet)
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (for each fillet)
  • Pinch of fresh herbs, adjust to your taste (such as parsley or dill)

Instructions:

  1. Gently pat the barramundi fillets dry to ensure a flawless sear.
  2. Season the fillets with sea salt and a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Warm olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  4. Lay the fish fillets skin side down in the hot pan and cook until the skin crisps, turning golden.
  5. Flip the fillets carefully and cook the other side until the fish flakes with a gentle touch.
  6. Set the fillets aside.
  7. Sauté minced garlic in the same pan until fragrant.
  8. Lower the heat and add the unsalted butter and allow it to melt.
  9. Add the lemon to the sauce.
  10. Arrange the fillets on a plate, drizzle with garlic lemon butter sauce and garnish with fragrant fresh herbs.

What to Serve With Barramundi Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce

You can easily elevate this dish by pairing it with blanched green beans and a side of buttery herbed quinoa.

Manettas offer whole fish like this large barramundi
Leading online seafood marketplaces like Manettas offer whole fish like this large barramundi (also available in medium).

Crispy Skin Barramundi

Ingredients:

  • 2 barramundi fillets with skin
  • 1 tbsp high-quality olive oil
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoons sea salt (for each fillet)
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (for each fillet)
  • Dried herbs, to taste (such as thyme or rosemary)

Instructions:

  1. Gently pat dry the barramundi fillets using a paper towel.
  2. Score the skin of the fillets to prevent curling during cooking.
  3. Season the fillets with a pinch of sea salt, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper and fragrant dried herbs.
  4. Heat oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  5. Place the fillets skin side down and press gently with a fish spatula for even cooking.
  6. Let the skin crisp up to a golden-brown hue.
  7. Carefully flip the fish fillets and cook the flesh side until it turns opaque.
  8. Present the fillets with their skin side up.

What to Serve With Crispy Skin Barramundi

This barramundi recipe pairs well with creamy mashed potatoes and a simple, fresh garden salad.

Holding a party? Barramundi sides are a cost-effective choice.
Holding a party? Barramundi sides are a cost-effective choice.

Pan-Fried Barramundi Fillet

Ingredients:

  • 2 fresh barramundi fillets
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoons sea salt (for each fillet)
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (for each fillet)
  • 1tbsp high-heat cooking oil (such as canola oil)
  • Fresh lemon juice (from 1 fruit)

Instructions:

  1. Gently pat the fillets dry to ensure a flawless sear.
  2. Season the fillets with some sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Heat cooking oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
  4. Lay the fillets in the pan, skin side down for a good sear.
  5. Allow the fillets to cook until the skin becomes crispy.
  6. Flip the fillets and cook the flesh side up to the point that it turns opaque.
  7. Once you finish cooking, plate the barramundi fillets.

What to Serve With Pan-fried Barramundi Fillet

Complement the pan-fried barramundi fish fillet with a medley of sautéed vegetables and a fluffy quinoa pilaf.

You can opt for barramundi fillets like the recipes on this list.
You can opt for barramundi fillets like the recipes on this list.

Salt and Pepper Barramundi

Ingredients:

  • 2 fresh barramundi fillets
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoons sea salt (for each fillet)
  • Pinch of freshly ground black pepper (for each fillet)
  • 1tbsp cooking oil (such as olive oil)
  • Fresh lemon juice (from 1 fruit)

Instructions:

  1. Pat the barramundi fillets gently with paper towels to dry. This ensures a perfect sear and crispiness.
  2. Sprinkle a moderate amount of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides of the fillets.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of cooking oil.
  4. Place the seasoned barramundi fillets in the hot pan, skin side down. Cook until the skin becomes golden and crispy. 
  5. Carefully flip the fillets and cook the other side until the fish is cooked through.
  6. Drizzle with lemon juice and serve. 

What to Serve With Salt and Pepper Barramundi

To complement the entire dish’s flavour, consider serving it on a bed of steamed jasmine rice with sautéed vegetables or a fresh garden salad.

Versatile and flavourful, these frozen barramundi fillets are ready for the grill or pan.
Versatile and flavourful, these frozen barramundi fillets are ready for the grill or pan.

Other Barramundi Recipes You Can Try:

 

Ready to Cook Barramundi?

Whatever level of cook you consider yourself to be, barramundi makes for a delicious home-cooked meal. The barramundi recipes included on this page make for tasty and easy home-cooked meals, which is a great starting place for any home cook who is looking to branch out with seafood. We hope you find these recipes as delicious as we do!

Don’t like the skin? Try these skinless, boneless barramundi tails.
Don’t like the skin? Try these skinless, boneless barramundi tails.

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