Baked Whole Rockfish Recipe

Baked whole Rockfish Recipe with olive oil, lemon, garlic and thyme.

You will be surprised how easy is it to learn how to cook rockfish!

This rockfish recipe is beginner friendly and absolutely scrumptious. The fish will come out incredibly juicy and pairs well with various sides making it an easy recipe that impresses guests!

So, let's dive in.

Rockfish comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors. If you've got one that looks nothing like mine, don't worry. I'm working with a Canary rockfish, which is bright orange and found along the Pacific Coast. Though there's other rockfish and white fish recipes to look through on our blog.

One of my recent favorites is in Mediterranean Baked Fish with Olives and Artichokes, oh man, is this mouthwatering. Try it if you have extra fish filets!

This rockfish recipe was developed after a bottom fish charter! Right before season ended (typically in October in WA), my husband and I thought it would be a good idea to experience a fishing charter and bulk up on fish for the winter. We were thankful that Deep Sea Charters in Westport had an opening and we were able to go aboard within a week's notice!

canary orange rockfish on fish charter being gutted

If you've ever been on a fishing charter, you know how fun and exciting they are, but also the amount of fish you are promised is so rewarding. Most of them are filleted for you, but I did ask for this cool rockfish. called a Canary to be left whole.

Fishing charters are quite the experience, I would highly recommend checking off your bucket list sooner rather than later.

Not to mention that, fresh caught seafood is one of the best food. Thankfully, growing up on a Mediterranean diet cuisine, I cherish fresh caught fish.

Well, I better at least, I have a seafood blog after all. And handling fresh seafood can be a daunting task for some, as I understand.

whole rockfish canary bright orange fish on parchment paper next to fish scaler

However, most whole fish purchased from the store, can be gutted and prepped by an associate working the seafood counter. leaving you with the task of cooking, which is laid out for you step-by-step in this Baked rockfish recipe!

So, if you're wondering how to cook rockfish, then you're in luck. The steps are simple and I'll be taking you through every one of them below!

whole rockfish with thyme and lemon on white baking dish

Table of Contents

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FISH BEFORE COOKING

Let's get right to the golden Q&A question of How do you cook a whole fish for beginners? Here it goes!

Start by scaling your fish, then rinse under water ensuring all the scales are washed off.

Pat your fish dry using a paper towel.

Coat with olive oil then rub in all your spices.

baked whole rockfish with lemon and thyme in white baking dish fish spatula and striped black and white napkin

BAKED WHOLE ROCKFISH RECIPE INGREDIENTS NOTES

Whole rockfish. The one I used for this recipe was about 2.5 lbs after it was cleaned out. Please note there are many types of rockfish and yours may look different than mine. I'm using a Canary rockfish which is bright orange and found on the Pacific coast.

Extra virgin olive oil. You'll need just a bit to coat the fish.

Thyme or Rosemary. I love using both in this baked rockfish recipe.

Lemons. Fresh lemons to slice and place around the whole fish while baking. Reserving half a lemon to squeeze on top prior to serving.

Garlic powder. Make sure to use fresh garlic powder for strongest flavor. If you prefer fresh garlic, use 5 cloves minced and rubbed around the fish.

EQUIPMENT

Oven-safe Baking Dish. Versatile and easy for use for fish recipes, casseroles and more!

HOW TO COOK ROCKFISH (STEP-BY-STEP)

Preheat oven to 400°F. Using a paper towel, pat the fish dry then coat completely with olive oil and place in a baking sheet lightly drizzled with olive oil.

Rub in the salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme all over the fish.

Place the slices from 1 ½ lemons on the bottom, top, and any nook and cranny.

Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until the internal temperate reaches at least 135°F. Might take longer or shorter depending on the size of your fish. Remove from oven and squeeze fresh lemon right on top of the baked rockfish to serve.

TOP TIPS FOR THIS RECIPE

Keep the foil wrapped until the temperature reaches at least 130 degrees F.
Baking time will vary depending on your fish. So you'll want to keep a close eye on it by checking the temperature as it gets close.

HOW TO STORE COOKED FISH

Store extras in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy in the next 2 days.

To reheat, microwave until warm, for 1-2 minutes.

baked whole orange rockfish with side dishes spanakopita and green salad | green glass float

FAQ

How to bake rockfish

Cover the rockfish with oil and spices, and bake in a 400 degree F oven until cooked. Covering in foil ensures the fish cooks properly, then remove the foil to crisp the skin for the last few minutes. Whether you're baking a fillet or the whole fish, you will be using similar steps to bake rockfish in the oven.

How long to bake rockfish

This greatly depends on the size of your fish or fillet. Generally for a 2.5 lb rockfish, baking in a 400 F oven, you will need about 18-20 minutes of baking time.

Wrap in foil then uncover for the last 5 minutes. The best way to gauge if the rockfish is cooked is by checking the temperature, making sure it reaches at least 135 prior to removing from the oven.

How to cook whole fish in the oven in foil

To bake your whole fish in the oven, rub the fish with olive oil then salt, pepper and thyme and place on an oven safe baking dish and cover in foil. Bake until just about done, then remove foil to further bake for 5 minutes.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BAKED WHOLE ROCKFISH RECIPE

Appetizer: This Silky Hummus and pita bread, or chips makes a great pairing with baked rockfish!
Side Dish: Try this Fried Feta and Strawberry Salad alongside, or any green salad. I love serving spanakopita, or even roasted potatoes.
Drink: Pair this recipe with one of my favorite Spicy Mango Margarita recipe! If you're going for wine, try dry white wine, like a Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, or Viognier. Cheers!

OTHER FISH RECIPES

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Baked whole rockfish canary rockfish with thyme, lemon slices in white baking dish

Baked Whole Rockfish is a simple meal that's ready in less than 30 minutes. The fish comes out so juicy, and flakey!

This baked rockfish recipe is prepared with extra virgin olive oil, thyme (or rosemary), lemon, and garlic. Simple seasonings complement the fish so well!

5 from 12 votes

Cuisine: Mediterranean, Pacific Coast, Seafood

Course: Main Course

Prep: 10

Cook: 18

Total: 28

Servings: servings

Print Pin Rate

Equipment

1 Baking Dish

Ingredients

2.5lbs whole Rockfish (cleaned and scaled)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic powder , or 5-7 garlic cloves minced
2 lemons , 1 ½ sliced, the other to squeeze upon serving
5 sprigs fresh thyme , or rosemary
1 teaspoon salt and pepper , or to taste

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Using a paper towel, pat the fish dry then coat completely with olive oil and place in a baking sheet lightly drizzled with olive oil.
Rub in the salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme all over the fish.
Place the slices from 1 ½ lemons on the bottom, top, and any nook and cranny.
Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 2-5 minutes, or until the internal temperate reaches at least 135°F. Might take longer or shorter depending on the size of your fish. Remove from oven and squeeze fresh lemon right on top of the baked rockfish to serve.

Notes

How to prepare a fish for cooking: Most fish purchased are gutted and scaled. If yours isn't, start by scaling it using a backward knife, going against the grain. Then cut beneath the head on the underside and gut.

Rockfish: There are many types of rockfish. I used a Canary rockfish which is bright orange, and not as common of a catch, for this recipe any rockfish will do.

How to serve: Place the dish at the center of the table as a showstopper. Cut through the fish using a sharp knife and serve. There will be bones to pick through!

Nutrition

Serving: 5oz | Calories: 160kcal | Protein: 33g | Fat: 2.5g | Saturated Fat: 0.5g

Keywords: 30 minute meal, baked rockfish recipe, how do you bake rockfish, how long to bake rockfish in the oven, how to bake a rockfish, simple rockfish recipe

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Comments

5 from 12 votes (6 ratings without comment)

Baked Whole Rockfish Recipe

HOW DO YOU PREPARE FISH BEFORE COOKING