A dish of tender whole broiled anchovies garnished with lemon and herbs

Tender & Flavorful Broiled Whole Anchovies

Name: Tender & Flavorful Broiled Whole Anchovies
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 500 g Whole fresh anchovies; 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil; 1 tbsp Fresh lemon juice; 2 piece Garlic cloves (minced); 2 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped); to taste n/a Salt; to taste n/a Black pepper (freshly ground)

Home Page / Broil Recipes / How to Broil Anchovies: A Simple Guide

medium

10 min

Nutritional value per serving

Calories150kcal

Carbs2gram

Fat7gram

Protein18gram

Ingredients

Quantity

Whole fresh anchovies500 g
Extra virgin olive oil2 tbsp
Fresh lemon juice1 tbsp
Garlic cloves (minced)2 piece
Fresh parsley (chopped)2 tbsp
Saltto taste n/a
Black pepper (freshly ground)to taste n/a

Discover an easy and tasty way to broil anchovies whole to achieve a tender, flavorful dish perfect for a quick snack or appetizer. This recipe uses straightforward ingredients and common kitchen tools, suitable even for cooks with basic skills. Total ingredient cost is approximately $8 USD (about 7.5 EUR, 6.5 GBP, 650 INR), and the dish serves 4 with roughly 150 calories per serving. This is a naturally gluten-free, low-carb dish that's medium in complexity and takes about 25 minutes from start to finish.

Preparation instructions

Clean the anchovies

1Rinse the whole anchovies under cold running water and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. This step helps remove excess slime and prepares the fish for even cooking.

Preheat your broiler

2Place your oven rack about 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) from the broiler element and preheat the broiler on high. This ensures a quick, intense cooking heat needed for broiling.

Prepare the marinade

3In a bowl, mix extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. This marinade will add flavor and keep the anchovies tender.

Marinate the anchovies

4Gently toss the whole anchovies in the marinade to coat evenly. Let them sit for 5 minutes at room temperature to absorb the flavors, but don't marinate longer as seafood can become mushy.

Arrange anchovies on broiler pan

5Place the marinated anchovies in a single layer on a broiler pan or a baking sheet lined with foil. Arrange them so they are not overlapping to ensure even cooking.

Broil the anchovies

6Broil the anchovies for about 4-6 minutes, checking at about 3 minutes to monitor doneness. Cook until the skin is lightly charred and the flesh flakes easily with a fork. Use a food thermometer to check: the internal temperature should be at least 63°C (145°F) to be safe to eat.

Serve immediately

7Carefully remove the broiled anchovies from the oven and serve immediately. Garnish with extra parsley or lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy the tender, flavorful dish while hot.

Cooking Tips

1Use the freshest anchovies available for the best texture and taste.

2Avoid overcooking; broiled anchovies cook quickly and become dry if left too long.

3Handle fish with clean hands and utensils to prevent cross-contamination.

4If you can’t find fresh anchovies, frozen whole anchovies can be thawed and used similarly.

Equipment Needed

Oven with broiler function
Broiler pan or baking sheet
Mixing bowl
Tongs or spatula
Cooking thermometer (optional but recommended)

Grocery Shopping List

[ ] Whole fresh anchovies (500 g) - around $6.50. Look for firm, shiny fish with clear eyes.
[ ] Extra virgin olive oil (small bottle) - around $4.00. Choose a good quality cold-pressed oil.
[ ] Fresh lemons (1 or 2) - about $0.50. Choose firm and fragrant lemons.
[ ] Garlic (2 cloves) - approximately $0.30. Select firm bulbs without soft spots.
[ ] Fresh parsley (small bunch) - approx. $1.00. Choose bright green leaves without wilting.
[ ] Salt and black pepper - pantry staples.

Total estimated cost: $8.00

Try to buy fresh whole anchovies on the day you plan to cook for optimal freshness and food safety.

FAQ

Can I use frozen anchovies for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen whole anchovies. Thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight before using, then proceed with the recipe as usual.

How do I know when the anchovies are fully cooked?

Broiled anchovies are fully cooked when their flesh flakes easily with a fork, the skin is slightly charred, and the internal temperature reaches 63°C (145°F). Overcooking will make them dry.