Make this easy baked whole grouper recipe with fresh herbs and lemon, plus your favorite seasonal veggies. It's perfect to serve as a satisfying, healthy and delicious meal in less than one hour!

baked grouper with zucchinis and cherry tomatoes

Baked whole grouper is a delicious and beautiful main dish that is sure to impress!

In this easy seafood recipe we stuff the fish with aromatics like garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs. Then bake in one dish surrounded by sliced zucchini and ripe cherry tomatoes... Or whichever seasonal veggies you like.

I love to cook grouper in my kitchen. Also try my air fryer grouper recipe and pan seared grouper recipe with lemon butter. Delicious!

The veggies and fish look so special and enticing on a serving platter. But whole fish is actually much easier than cooking fillets! There is less prep and cleanup, and start to finish the recipe takes under an hour.

This simple cooking method is sure to make moist and flavorful grouper every time. The fish skin and edges of the roasted vegetables come out crisp, and the meat and veg are perfectly tender and tasty.

ingredients needed for this recipe — recipe ingredients

Serve grouper and veggies as an elevated yet effortless dish any night of the week. We particularly love this recipe for relaxing weekend dinners and casual gatherings!

Recipe ingredients

Whole grouper. Fresh or frozen and thawed. Rinse and pat the fish dry prior to cooking.

Olive oil. Choose high quality oil for best flavor.

Salt and pepper. Essential spices that enhance all other tastes.

Fresh herbs. Our favorites are fresh oregano or sage. Oregano has a more earthy and grassy flavor. Sage is known for a slightly minty, almost peppery taste. Either one is delightful!

Lemon. Classic to pair with seafood dishes. The sweet acid helps to lessen the "fishy" taste and brighten the succulent flavor of the meat.

Garlic. Bold, earthy, pungent. Perfect for savory dishes!

Cherry tomatoes. Or grape tomatoes.

Zucchini. Adds a mild summery taste - plus a nice bit of firm texture.

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How to make baked whole grouper recipe

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If the fish is frozen thaw it first. Keep it in the fridge overnight or longer or simply thaw on the counter for a few hours.

Add parchment paper in to the baking tray for an easy clean up later. You can also use the foil. Season fish with salt and pepper inside and outside. Stuff cavity with herbs, lemon slices and sliced garlic.

You can keep garlic cloves whole or just simply smashed. They will be very soft when cooked. Add oil to the baking dish. Place fish in the middle and add cherry tomatoes and sliced zucchinis around it. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

raw whole fish with vegetables in the baking dish

Variations

Use your choice of fresh herbs to stuff the grouper. We love earthy oregano or sage to balance the bright lemon. Cilantro, basil, parsley, and dill are also great options!
Season the fish with your favorite spice blend. Try spicy Cajun, tangy lemon pepper, smoky Old Bay seasoning, or any seafood-enhancing spices you like.
This baked whole grouper recipe is terrific to customize with whatever fresh veggies you prefer. Here we use cherry tomatoes and zucchini for bright summer flavor. Other vegetables that work well include sliced mushrooms or thinly sliced potatoes, yellow squash, peeled and sliced acorn squash, diced fennel, and seeded and sliced bell peppers.
You can even make this recipe with other whole fish! Snapper or bass are similar in size and flavor to grouper.
If using grouper fillets, note that fillets will cook much faster that the whole fish. Cut cooking time for at least in half. Overcooked fish is dry and tough.

Frequently asked questions

Is grouper a healthy fish?

Grouper is a lean white fish that's low in fat and calories. It's considered a healthy source of protein and essential minerals, like selenium and B vitamins.

It should be noted that as a bottom-feeding fish, grouper is classified as having a moderate amount of mercury. This does not mean it is not safe to eat, but you should limit your intake to no more than one serving per week.

What does it taste like?

It has a subtle sweet flavor and is rather mild. The texture of properly cooked grouper is firm and moist, so it's a meaty and hearty fish.

Bass is probably the most comparable is both taste and texture.

Where to buy?

This warm water fish is usually available whole at fresh seafood markets in the Gulf of Mexico or surrounding regions.

Purchase frozen grouper at chain grocery stores. Or order from an online reputable retailer and ship to your home!

How do I know when my fish is cooked?

The flesh will go from translucent to opaque. Then use a fork to gently twist into the cooked meat. If it easily flakes the grouper is done!

The correct internal temperature for cooked fish is 140-145 degrees.

Is it better to bake fish covered or uncovered?

Bake whole fish uncovered for the most tender, juicy meat with lightly crisp skin. Covering will trap in moisture and make the fish soggy.

Serving

Since we are baking whole grouper with with vegetables, i didn't serve anything else for dinner. If feeding a group of people i recommend making roasted potatoes or rice of any kind.

Storage

Leftovers. Store grouper leftovers in the fridge in the plastic or glass container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute or in the oven.

Freezer. You an also freeze cooked fish. Wrap it tightly in foil and place in the freezer safe zip lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

More seafood recipes

Hope you will like this baked whole grouper recipe as much we do. Rate the recipe if you tried it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.

Baked whole grouper recipe

Yield: 2

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Make this easy baked whole grouper recipe with fresh herbs and lemon, plus your favorite seasonal veggies. It's perfect to serve as a satisfying, healthy and delicious meal in less than one hour!

Ingredients

1 whole grouper
1 tablespoon olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
1 small bunch oregano or sage
½ lemon, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove
2 cups cherry tomatoes
2 zucchinis

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay baking dish with parchment paper for easy clean up.
Season fish with salt and pepper inside and outside. Stuff cavity with herbs, lemon slices and sliced garlic. Add oil to the baking dish. Place fish in the middle and add cherry tomatoes and sliced zucchinis around it.
Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Notes

Storage. Store grouper leftovers in the fridge in the plastic or glass container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1 minute or in the oven.

Freezer. You an also freeze cooked fish. Wrap it tightly in foil and place in the freezer safe zip lock bag. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 178Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 301mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 5gSugar: 8gProtein: 15g