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An image of a whole grilled black sea bass sprinkled with soy sauce and sliced scallions.

Whole Black Sea Bass

Black sea bass marinated in soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, fish sauce, ginger and garlic then grilled until flaky for an incredibly tender and flavorful fish dinner. 
5 from 1 vote
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Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 502 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 pounds whole black sea bass two 2 lb whole fish
  • 1 bunch scallions divided (you’ll use half to stuff the fish cavities and half for serving)
  • 1/2 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1 lime, juice of
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce
  • 1 inch piece ginger minced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced

For serving

  • Scallions 1/2 bunch from above
  • 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
  • 1 lime cut into wedges

Instructions
 

  • Lay black sea bass flat on a cutting board and score both sides of the fish flesh with a knife. Depending on the fish size, you’ll want to make 3-5 evenly spaced 1/2-inch deep diagonal slits in the flesh. This will help the fish cook more quickly and evenly and will allow the marinade to soak into the flesh. Stuff the cavity of the fish with scallions (and any extra ginger nubs or lime halves/wedges that you have). Add the fish to a ziplock bag. 
  • Combine soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, fish sauce, ginger and garlic in a medium bowl. Whisk well. Pour all but 1/4 cup marinade into the ziplock bag with the fish and let marinade for 20 minutes at room temperature. Reserve the rest of the marinade for serving. 
  • Preheat grill to high heat. Clean and oil the grates very well. 
  • Remove fish from marinade and discard the marinade that the fish was in. 
  • Place fish on grill. Cover. Reduce heat to medium high. Grill for 5-7 minutes, depending on size of fish. Flip and cook another 5-7 minutes until fish flakes easily and is opaque throughout – you’ll be able to see this through the slits. If fish is sticking to the grill, it’s not necessary to flip – simply turn the heat down a bit and let cook until fish is cooked through. Remove from heat.
  • Sprinkle fish with scallions and sesame seeds. Serve with lime wedges and reserved marinade. 

Nutrition

Calories: 502kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 84gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 363mgSodium: 1523mgPotassium: 1343mgFiber: 1gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 481IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 104mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Grilled whole black sea bass
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