This Jamie Oliver Barbecued Red Mullet with a Hot Salsa is a bold and Mediterranean-style recipe, which uses red mullet and ripe tomatoes. It’s a no-fuss take on the classic, ready in about 30 minutes.
Jamie Oliver Barbecued Red Mullet with a Hot Salsa Ingredients
- 4 red mullet (sustainably sourced), scaled, cleaned, and gutted
- A small bunch of fresh oregano, leaves picked
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the salsa
- Olive oil
- A handful of black olives, stoned and roughly chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
- 1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely sliced
- A few sprigs of fresh rosemary
- 6 ripe tomatoes (different colors if possible), roughly chopped
- Juice of ½ lemon
- A small bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley, leaves picked and torn
How To Make Jamie Oliver Barbecued Red Mullet with a Hot Salsa
- Prep the barbecue: Light the barbecue with high heat on one side and low on the other for control.
- Score and season the fish: Use a sharp knife to score the fish 1cm deep on both sides. On a chopping board, chop oregano and scatter with salt and pepper. Roll the fish in the herbs, rubbing into the slashes.
- Start grilling the fish: Place fish on the hot side of the BBQ to sear and develop color.
- Begin the salsa: On the cooler BBQ side or hob, heat olive oil in a frying pan. Add chopped olives and warm for 1 minute. Add garlic, chilli, and rosemary, toss and gently fry.
- Turn the fish: After about 4 minutes, carefully turn the fish using a fish slice. Grill another 4 minutes until moist inside and crisp outside.
- Finish the salsa: Remove rosemary sprigs. Add chopped tomatoes, lemon juice, and parsley to the pan. Toss and warm through. Taste and season as needed.
- Serve: Transfer fish to a plate, check doneness by pulling meat from bone. Spoon salsa over the top and serve.

Recipe Tips
- What fish can I substitute for red mullet? Use small red snapper or sea bream if red mullet is unavailable.
- How to keep fish from sticking on the BBQ: Ensure the grill is hot and lightly oiled, and don’t flip too soon.
- Can I make this indoors? Yes, use a grill pan or cook under a broiler.
- What herbs go well with fish? Woody herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano work beautifully.
- Can I prepare the salsa ahead? Yes, but warm it through before serving.
What To Serve With Barbecued Red Mullet
This dish pairs well with light, summery sides:
- Grilled vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers
- Couscous or herbed rice
- Crusty sourdough or flatbread
- Chilled white wine or sparkling water with lemon
How To Store Red Mullet with Salsa
Refrigerate: Store leftover cooked fish and salsa separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days.
Freeze: Not recommended, as grilled fish and fresh salsa don’t freeze well.
Red Mullet with Salsa Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 348 kcal
- Fat: 7.5g
- Saturates: 2.8g
- Sugars: 4.3g
- Salt: 1.5g
- Protein: 65.1g
- Carbohydrates: 5.7g
- Fibre: 1.9g
FAQs
Can I use frozen fish for this recipe?
Yes, just ensure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before cooking.
What’s the best way to check if fish is done?
Pull a bit of meat away from the bone—it should come away easily and look opaque.
Is the salsa served hot or cold?
It’s a warm salsa, cooked gently and served over hot grilled fish.
Can I make this recipe without a BBQ?
Yes, grill the fish in a hot pan or under the oven broiler.
How do I store leftovers?
Flake leftover fish into the salsa and serve as a cold salad with bread.

Jamie Oliver Barbecued Red Mullet with a Hot Salsa
Description
A Mediterranean-inspired grilled red mullet dish topped with warm, herby tomato and olive salsa.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Light BBQ with hot and cool zones.
- Score fish and rub with oregano, salt, pepper.
- Grill fish on hot side for 4 minutes per side.
- Heat oil, warm olives, add garlic, chilli, rosemary.
- Remove rosemary, add tomatoes, lemon juice, parsley.
- Serve fish with salsa spooned over the top.
Notes
- If red mullet isn’t available, use small red snapper or sea bream. For indoor cooking, use a grill pan or broiler and watch closely for doneness.