Name: Salt Crusted Branzino
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: for 1 branzino (2 people)
Cuisine: Slovenian
Ingredients: 3 egg whites; 600 g (1 1/2 pound) coarse salt); 400 g (1 pound) fine sea salt; 1 branzino (sea bass) (600g or 1 1/2 pound); 2 rosemary sprigs; 1 sprig dill

Salt Crusted Branzino

Welcome to the fourth recipe in our Traditional Slovenian Sunday series. This week we’re celebrating our coast and our seas. We made a fish that’s traditional for Slovenia and our neighboring country too. However, we are famous for our incredible Piranska sol (salt) and delicious branzino. So this recipe celebrates the best of the Slovenian sea. This recipe is pretty hands-off, as most of the work is done by your oven. The branzino is covered in sea salt and roasted in the oven for about 20 minutes or until juicy and tender. It’s worth any minute, as the fish is flaky and delicious.

Juicy and flaky Salt Crusted Branzino

This Salt Crusted Branzino is perfect for any day of the year because fish is always in season. This is why we think you're going to like it:

the fish is flaky, tender, and melts in your mouth
no need to season with salt additionally, as the salt crust seasons the fish perfectly
quick and easy recipe for a busy weeknight or slow weekend
this is a straightforward, beginner-friendly recipe
kids and adults love it
gluten-free and dairy-free

What to serve with Salt-Baked Branzino

This amazing Branzino recipe deserves a fantastic side dish. We always serve the sea bass with homemade gremolata sauce and one of these side dishes:

Storing

Keep the Branzino in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

How to make Salt Crusted Branzino at home (video)

Check this quick video to master making Salt Crusted Branzino at home. This recipe is made in collab with slovenia.si.

Next, try these fish recipes

METHOD

preparation

In a bowl, whisk together egg whites to get a foamy mixture. In a separate bowl, stir to combine the salts. Add in the egg whites and stir to combine using a spatula. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange half of the sea salt mixture in the center of the baking sheet to create a salt bed for the fish. Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat it to 200 °C / 390 °F.
fish

Clean the fish, remove the gills and the entrails, leaving the flakes on. Add the herbs to the cavity of the fish and place the fish on the salt bed. Arrange the rest of the salt over the fish and close the fish with the salt completely. Press to close, and check the edges to see if they're sealed well.
roast

Place the baking dish with the fish in the oven and roast for 18 - 20 minutes at 200 °C / 390 °F. Once the fish roasts, remove it from the oven and set aside for 10 minutes to finish the cooking process. Remove the salt crust and serve the fish with Gremolata sauce.

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Salt Crusted Branzino