Easy Barramundi Recipes (2024)

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On busy weeknights, a bag of frozen barramundi is our dinnertime secret weapon. This hearty, flakey white fish cooks up in a snap (you can even bake it straight from the freezer!) and holds up well to just about any sauce. We're sharing our favorite ways to use it in this collection of barramundi recipes!

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What is Barramundi?

Barramundi (sometimes called Asian sea bass) is a meaty white fish with a buttery texture and a mild, slightly sweet flavor. It's similar to halibut, grouper, or mahi-mahi in texture, and barramundi fillets are quite sturdy: You can throw this fish on the grill or smother it in a heavy sauce and it will still hold its shape quite well.

Raw barramundi is a light, almost translucent white, sometimes with a dark red line on one side of the fillet (this red line is called a "bloodline", although there isn't actually any blood in it - it's just a dark muscle that runs down the center of the fish, and it's perfectly safe to eat).

Easy Barramundi Recipes (2)

Once cooked, barramundi turns a bright, opaque white. Cooked barramundi flakes apart into relatively large pieces that hold their shape quite well, giving it a meatier texture than a lot of more delicate fish.

As fish goes, barramundi is also not very "fishy" - which makes it a perfect introduction to seafood that will satisfy even your pickiest eaters! That light flavor makes this fish really versatile, since it won't overpower a rich sauce.

Easy Barramundi Recipes (3)

Where to Buy Barramundi

A well-stocked fish counter will sometimes have fresh barramundi in the seafood case, but we actually prefer to buy frozen barramundi! We use and recommend The Better Fish®, a sustainably-farmed barramundi that's available at Whole Foods and many other grocery stores nationwide (find a retailer near you with their store locator!)

Frozen barramundi is also available at many Trader Joe's and Costco locations: Look for it in the freezer section next to other seafood items (like frozen shrimp or salmon).

Note: This post is not sponsored, but we do work with The Better Fish from time to time!

Our Favorite Barramundi Recipes

Easy Barramundi Recipes (4)

Barramundi is so versatile: It really is excellent in just about any sauce or preparation. But if we had to pick just one favorite recipe? It would probably be our garlic white wine barramundi. It's ready in under half an hour with just a few ingredients, and it pairs well with everything from pasta to rice to a quick lemon arugula salad. Just whisk a quick sauce together, dump everything in a baking dish, and you're off to the races!

This collection features the best barramundi recipes from our archives, plus a few delicious ideas from other recipe developers!

Easy White Wine Fish Pasta with Blistered Tomatoes

This summery pasta features a quick lemon white wine sauce and burst tomatoes! Poach the fish right in the sauce for a fall-apart texture and tons of flavor.

White Wine Tomato Barramundi Pasta

Hoisin Glazed Barramundi Sandwiches

This fish sandwich - loosely inspired by Vietnamese bánh mì- is PACKED with flavor (and it gets a few gorgeous pops of color from fresh veggies and cilantro!) With hoisin sauce and a quick spicy mayo drizzle.

Hoisin Barramundi Sandwich

Easy Barramundi Recipes (7)

Spicy Barramundi with Corn Salsa

Roast a few barramundi fillets in the oven with an easy honey spice rub, then stir together a quick avocado corn salsa for the topping. Serve this recipe as-is or turn it into tacos!

Barramundi Sheet Pan Fajitas

This one pan dinner is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! Roast a barramundi fillet on a sheet pan with a few spices and some sliced veggies, then serve with tortillas and plenty of fresh cilantro.

Barramundi Sheet Pan Fajitas

Easy Barramundi Recipes (9)

Roasted Tomato Barramundi

We developed this one-pan recipe for our friends at The Better Fish, and it's been in my regular dinner rotation ever since. Serve it with plenty of crusty bread or over some fresh pasta.

Easy Garlic White Wine Baked Fish

This easy baked barramundi recipe *might* be our favorite of the bunch. Ready in half an hour with a quick lemon juice and white wine sauce (plus plenty of garlic and capers!)

Garlic White Wine Baked Barramundi

Grilled Barramundi with Radishes

This easy grilled fish recipe is perfect for summertime!Served with grilled radishes and an easy radish top pesto (it's also great with fresh basil pesto!)

Grilled Barramundi

Easy Barramundi Recipes (12)

Herb Roasted Barramundi

This elegant (but easy!) roasted barramundi is ready in 20 minutes with bright lemon, good olive oil, and plenty of fresh herbs.

Barramundi Corn Chowder

This easy, creamy barramundi corn chowder is ready in under an hour with a handful of ingredients from the freezer.

Corn and Barramundi Chowder

Barramundi Lemon Garlic Pasta

Sear barramundi in a hot pan with a bit of oil until it's nice and crispy, then build a quick lemon butter sauce in the same skillet with red pepper flakes and plenty of herbs. Toss it up with some spaghetti for a cozy dinner.

Barramundi Lemon Garlic Pasta

Easy Barramundi Recipes (15)

Butter Poached Barramundi

Poaching fish fillets can sound, well, TERRIFYING. But it's actually deceptively easy - and this tutorial from our friend Nicole at Coley Cooks breaks the entire process down for you! Serve this fish with plenty of seasonal vegetables for a light, delicious meal.

A Few FAQs

What does barramundi taste like?

Barramundi has a hearty texture but a very mild, almost buttery flavor. It's not "fishy" at all - perfect for friends or family who don't always love seafood - and it won't leave a lingering fish smell in your kitchen. Because barramundi is a meaty fish with a light flavor, it holds up really well with heavier sauces and won't compete with bigger flavors. If you like cod, halibut, or mahi mahi, you'll love barramundi!

How does barramundi compare to salmon?

Both salmon and barramundi are hearty, meaty fish. Salmon has a more pronounced, unique flavor; barramundi is relatively mild, with a smooth, not-very-fishy flavor. While salmon is a deep pink color, cooked barramundi is bright white with the occasional flecks of silver or grey. Salmon also encompasses several different species (like King salmon, sockeye, coho, and more), while barramundi is just one species of fish (Lates calcarifer). Salmon and barramundi are both high in omega-3 fatty acids (which are important for heart and brain health!) and are great sources of protein. Learn more: Barramundi vs. Salmon.

Is barramundi sustainable?

Sustainability can vary from brand to brand, but in general, yes: Barramundi eat low on the food chain, which means they're efficient and low-impact to raise. Frozen barramundi (our favorite!) also has a lower carbon footprint than fresh fish, since it's more efficient to ship (see the FAQ below for more info on this!)

We buy and recommend The Better Fish Barramundi, which is sustainably farmed in Vietnam. The Better Fish is a globally-recognized leader in sustainable aquaculture: Their barramundi was the first ocean-farmed fish to receive aBest Choice ratingfrom Monterey Bay's Seafood Watch program, and they're also a 4-star BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) certified producer, ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) certified, AND Fair Trade certified. Basically, they work with avariety of industry stakeholdersto make the fish farming industry as a whole better for the fish, the environment, their workers, and their customers.

Fun fact: We've personally known and worked with The Better Fish team for almost a decade, which means we've been able to ask them a TON of questions about their sustainability practices (CEO Josh Goldman even made an appearance on our podcast!) We're consistently blown away by their commitment not just to raising and harvesting THEIR fish with the environment in mind, but to improving their industry as a whole. We'd recommend them even if we didn't work together.

Frozen vs. Fresh Barramundi

Frozen fish is highly underrated - but when it comes to barramundi, frozen is our #1 choice. For starters, it's more efficient to ship frozen fish (which means a lower carbon footprint, yay sustainability) and it's much cheaper, which is why frozen fish is often more budget-friendly than fresh fish at the seafood counter. Frozen fish also means less food waste, because you aren't rushing to use it or forgetting about it at the back of your fridge!

Much of the frozen fish we see in stores is flash frozen (frozen very quickly and at a much lower temperature than our standard kitchen freezers) immediately after it's caught or harvested. That quick, deep freeze helps lock all of the nutrients into the fish and preserve its texture, which is what keeps fish tasting fresh once you defrost it.

We buy The Better Fish Barramundi, which is always flash frozen; if you grab barramundi from another supplier, you can usually ask your fishmonger or check the brand's website to learn about their freezing process!

Is barramundi expensive?

Not at all - it's very affordable! I can pick up a family pack of frozen fillets at our local bulk store for under $20 - enough for three or four different meals - and it keeps in the freezer for a long time.

How do you cook barramundi?

Like most fish, barramundi can be cooked in a variety of ways! We love grilling it, roasting it in the oven (you can also broil it!) or searing it in a hot skillet. Each of the above recipes includes full cooking instructions - click through to those recipe posts to see exactly how to make each recipe!

Is barramundi high in mercury?

Like most fish, the mercury content of barramundi depends a lot on where it was caught or harvested. Large, wild-caught barramundi may have higher levels of mercury due to their diets, but sustainably farmed barramundi typically contain minimal traces of mercury. It's always good to double-check whether the brand you're buying does any independent testing to verify their mercury content (The Better Fish, for example, routinely tests their fish and has consistently demonstrated "below detectable levels" of mercury).

That's a wrap on our barramundi recipe roundup! We hope this collection was helpful. If you have any lingering questions about barramundi, leave a comment below or on any of the recipes posts we've linked above!

Hungry for more? Be sure to check out our full seafood recipe collection!

More Easy Seafood Recipes

  • Smoked Salmon Corn Chowder
  • Smoked Salmon Scrambled Eggs
  • Easy Balsamic Salmon with Strawberry Salsa
  • Easy Homemade Crab Cakes

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Easy Barramundi Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking method for barramundi? ›

Pretty much any method from pan frying to steaming works well with this fish. Barramundi's mild taste and medium/high fat content make it not only versatile, but also hard to burn. So, if you're not used to cooking fish, this is a great one to start with.

What flavors pair well with barramundi? ›

Rich roasted sweet potato is the perfect complement to barramundi's light flavour. Simply toss sweet potato cubes with olive oil, salt and black pepper, and you're good to go. While barramundi is high in protein, sweet potato helps create a fully balanced meal thanks to the healthy carbs it provides.

Is barramundi or salmon better for you? ›

Is barramundi healthier than salmon? Salmon and barramundi are both great options as part of a healthy lifestyle! While barramundi has half the calories of Atlantic farmed salmon, both fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in brain and heart health.

What is barramundi called in America? ›

Internationally, barramundi are also known as Asian sea bass, giant perch, or giant sea perch. Barramundi have not always had such an iconic name in Australia, and were once known as Asian sea bass. In the 1980's, barramundi was appropriated for marketing reasons.

Why is my barramundi rubbery? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

Is barramundi high in mercury? ›

Does Barramundi contain mercury? The Better Fish® Barramundi has consistently tested below detectable limits for mercury (average of 0.02 ppm). The levels allowed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is 1 ppm. Wild-caught and farm-raised Barramundi contain different mercury levels due to their very different diets.

Why is barramundi so cheap? ›

But you may be surprised to know that more than 60 per cent of the barramundi served here is imported. The dark truth is that, in order to save costs, many restaurant operators serve barramundi farmed in south-east Asia under the guise of Australian – it's cheaper as a result of less regulation.

What is the best season for barramundi? ›

However, the best time to land a Barra, is during the wet season, from November to mid-May. The dry season, which lasts from mid-May to mid-August, isn't as productive. If you want to get the most out of your hunt, then hitting the water from March to May is your best bet.

What does barramundi taste similar to? ›

What Does Barramundi Taste Like? Barramundi has a silky, buttery, rich, sweet flavor. It has white, medium-firm flesh. It is similar in flavor and texture to sea bass, snapper, and sole.

What is the healthiest fish to eat in the world? ›

7 Healthiest Fish to Eat, According to Experts
  1. Sardines. “Sardines are one of the healthiest fish to eat because they're very high in omega-3s,” says Gomer. ...
  2. Mackerel. Mackerel is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, says Sauceda. ...
  3. Anchovies. ...
  4. Salmon. ...
  5. Herring. ...
  6. Trout. ...
  7. Tuna.
Mar 28, 2024

Why does barramundi taste so good? ›

Barramundi possesses a gentle, mild flavor and toothsome texture that make it appealing to those whose are fussy about seafood. And because of its moderate fat content, this fish is nearly impossible to overcook.

Does barramundi have a lot of bones? ›

Barramundi flesh has medium-large flakes, mild flavour, low-medium oiliness depending on the season, moist flesh and soft-medium texture (smaller fish having softer flesh and smaller flakes). Larger fish have only a few large bones, which can easily be removed. Cut large fillets into serving size portions.

What is the closest fish to barramundi? ›

Barramundi is a round fish – similar to Wild Sea Bass. Barramundi are generally farmed in freshwater and available with Global Gap certification. As Barramundi is a farmed fish, it is generally available all year round. Alternatives to Barramundi would be Sea Bass.

Is barramundi the same as branzino? ›

However, there are a few small differences between branzino and other types. Notably, barramundi has a higher fat content and slightly less pronounced sweetness. Its flesh is slightly less smooth, and branzino is just a tad more flavorful, noted for its more pronounced nutty notes.

How is barramundi prepared traditionally? ›

Today, the more traditional Australian take on barramundi involves a similar technique: Wrap it in paperbark, a native plant that lends a smoky flavor. Add in lemon, herbs, and macadamia nuts for more flavor. Then throw it over some hot coals, or “on the barbie,” as Aussies like to say.

Is barramundi good in the oven? ›

Delicious, sustainable Barramundi tastes fantastic baked with lemon and garlic in a quick sheet pan dinner.

What is the best setup for barramundi? ›

Fishing with Live Bait for Barramundi
  • Choose a 6 to 7 foot rod with medium action and soft tip.
  • Always use mono line when live baiting and I also prefer to use a spinning reel, around 600-700 in size. ...
  • When your spool gets low, you can top it up with this mono to mono fishing knot.
Jul 27, 2017

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