Easy Barramundi Recipes (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Jessie · This post may contain affiliate links; if you buy something we'll earn a commission at no cost to you.

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!

this recipe

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

I'm Jessie, and I like to talk about food. Tag your recipes #LifeAsAStrawberry on social media to share your creations! Learn about our team!

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Easy Barramundi Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How is barramundi usually prepared? ›

Although larger fish can sometimes be cut into steaks, barramundi is mostly sold whole and in fillets, both with the skin on and with the skin removed. One of the best ways to prepare barramundi is to pan fry it, with the skin on, because the skin is thin and crisps up nicely.

Is barramundi as healthy as salmon? ›

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.

Is barramundi a cheap fish? ›

Barramundi is an excellent option if you're looking for healthy fish to add to your diet. There are many benefits to this sustainably farmed fish. While salmon and trout are also healthy options, barramundi is a great affordable option to add to your diet.

Why is my barramundi rubbery? ›

When you overcook fish, it can become dry, tough, and lack flavor. 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.

How to cook barramundi perfectly? ›

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium-low heat. Place the fillets skin side down into the pan, turn up the heat to medium-high and cook for 2-3 minutes or until the skin is golden brown. Turn the fillets and cook for another 1-2 minutes, or until just cooked through.

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.

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.

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

1. Sardines. “Sardines are one of the healthiest fish to eat because they're very high in omega-3s,” says Gomer. “Sardines are eaten with the bone in, so they have calcium, and because they're so little, they haven't had a chance to acquire mercury,” she adds.

Does barramundi taste like tilapia? ›

According to The Better Fish, barramundi isn't as fishy or potent as other species like salmon. However, it still has a classic seafood flavor, similar in both texture and flavor to cod, tilapia, halibut, and other white fish.

How much is barramundi at Costco? ›

Australi's All-Natural Barramundi, $15.99 for 2 pounds

Also, who knew that Costco is a leading purveyor of sustainable seafood?

Why is my barramundi grey? ›

*Barramundi flesh is naturally grey. *While every effort is made to ensure bone removal, complete bone removal is not guaranteed. Please exercise caution as fish may still contain bone/bone fragments.

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.

How to tell if barramundi is bad? ›

The best way to determine if fish has gone bad is to smell it. If the fish smells sour or spoiled, throw it out. If the fish has a mild ocean smell, it's likely safe to eat—but if you aren't certain, there are other signs you can look for. For example, it's bad fish if it appears or feels slimy and/or has a dull color.

Can you eat barramundi slightly undercooked? ›

Always err on the side of undercooking your fish; as a matter of fact most people enjoy fish that is still a little translucent in the center. As long as you are following food safety guidelines in your kitchen (keeping ingredients cold, avoiding cross-contamination) there is no danger from eating our fish undercooked.

How do you make barramundi less fishy? ›

Especially for fish with strong fishy odor like carp, catfish, barramundi, tilapia, basa catfish, pangasius, salmon, and white pomfret, you can rub salt on the fish surface. Then, rinse with clean water. This method helps prevent fishiness when cooking.

Is barramundi a clean fish? ›

The Better Fish® Barramundi is also an excellent source of lean protein (21g per 4 oz serving) with only half the calories of farmed salmon. Our Barramundi are clean and fully traceable with non-detectable levels of mercury, PCBs, and other contaminants.

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.

Is barramundi farmed or wild caught? ›

Asian Sea Perch, Asian Sea Bass, Barra, Giant Perch, Giant Sea Perch, Silver Barramundi. Latidae (Lates Perches). Wild-caught Barramundi is available from February to November, peaking from February to May. Farmed Barramundi is available year-round.

What's the difference between barramundi and cod? ›

A notable difference is the growth rates, on average it takes Barramundi 5 years to reach a metre in length, for a Murray Cod it takes an average of 30 years to reach the very same length. Fisheries in Victoria estimate that the Murray Cod fishery is approximately 20% of the fishery that it was 70 years ago.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Manual Maggio

Last Updated:

Views: 6519

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (69 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Manual Maggio

Birthday: 1998-01-20

Address: 359 Kelvin Stream, Lake Eldonview, MT 33517-1242

Phone: +577037762465

Job: Product Hospitality Supervisor

Hobby: Gardening, Web surfing, Video gaming, Amateur radio, Flag Football, Reading, Table tennis

Introduction: My name is Manual Maggio, I am a thankful, tender, adventurous, delightful, fantastic, proud, graceful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.