30 beautiful barramundi recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is barramundi healthier than 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.

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.

Fish meal is widely used in barramundi feeds and can support good growth at inclusion levels of up to 60 percent. Meat meals have also been successfully used at inclusion levels of 40 percent.

“Rubbery” fish indicates that it's either overcooked or that the fish selected isn't an ideal fish to fry.

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.

Barramundi belong to the sea perch family of fishes (Centropomidae) and are distantly related to the famous Nile perch of Africa. Internationally, barramundi are also known as Asian sea bass, giant perch, or giant sea perch.

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.

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.

Barramundi is High in Key Nutrients

It is also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which play a vital role in our brain and heart health. In order to meet the recommended omega-3 requirements for a healthy heart and brain power, eat Aussie barra at least once or twice a week.

Species of fish that are long-lived and high on the food chain, such as marlin, tuna, shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish contain higher concentrations of mercury than others.

Does barramundi need to be fully cooked? ›

Wild barramundi has a great flavour and texture, but you must take care when cooking it, as it is a really dense-fleshed fish that needs to be cooked through.

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.

Barras live and hunt just above the bottom, though they come closer to the surface to feed during the night. The species is mostly protandrous, meaning that the fish are males when they're born. After a few years, they can change into females – and this is when they can become really large.

The two most popular fishing methods for catching barramundi fish include trolling and casting for them with artificial lures such as poppers, minnow lures, spoons, and plugs. Koala Pro Tip: They don't like going out to feed, but will rather wait for their prey to pass by and that's when they make their move.

The best way to tell if your fish is done is by testing it with a fork at an angle, at the thickest point, and twist gently. The fish will flake easily when it's done and it will lose its translucent or raw appearance. A good rule of thumb is to cook the fish to an internal temperature of 140-145 degrees.

Baking, poaching or steaming are the best methods for cooking fish if you're skipping the thawing process. Avoid pan-frying as the fish may release too much water or the flesh won't be evenly cooked. If you're following a recipe, you may add a few minutes to make sure the frozen fish is fully cooked.