If you have a thing for seafood and sea bass, in particular, we are pretty sure that you are in love with barramundi. To begin with, this is an expensive fish but totally worth your money (yup, the taste is that good). However, the expensive price means that it can be hard to find but we have the barramundi substitutes in this article for you!
Barramundi Substitutes
This is the sea bass that has its origin in Indo-Pacific regions. They swim in salt water and can also be found in marine waters and freshwater. This species is expensive and has a high commercial value. For the most part, barramundi is a white fish with a mild taste. In case you buy the ocean-farmed fish, the barramundi will have a buttery and clean flavor while the texture is meaty and succulent.
Barramundi has delicate skin and a silky mouthfeel which makes it extremely crisp when cooked. The best thing about barramundi is that it can be eaten by people who have just started eating fish and don’t want the strong fish smell. In addition, if the barramundi is sourced from ocean farming places, you can be assured about sustainability and it doesn’t harm the marine ecosystem.
1) Chilean Sea Bass
This is the high-quality fish that is readily available on Chilean shores and the fish quality is always excellent. Chilean sea bass is pretty popular and is only available in five-star restaurants. In case you have to buy raw Chilean sea bass, it can be expensive and you will have a hard time finding it at the local grocery stores. That being said, you should try finding these in fish specialty stores.
Chilean sea bass is also known as Antarctic Toothfish and Patagonian Toothfish, so keep these alternative names in mind. The fish has a flaky and white appearance and the taste is pretty identical to cod. When Chilean Sea bass is cooked, it results in a buttery and smooth taste and feels. In addition, it can be cooked in different ways and you can play with the spices.
2) Halibut
This is the largest fish that you can find in the ocean (well, it’s the largest flatfish) and can grow up to 9ft long. The food-grade halibut is sourced from farms and is caught in wild waters. However, both these fishes are healthy and the farm-raised halibut fish tends to be safer and healthier because it’s grown in a safe environment.
If you are concerned about the flavor, this is the lean fish which means it has a sweet and mild flavor. As for the flesh, it has a white flesh that looks more like tilapia fish, and overall, it’s firmer and thicker. For the most part, halibut has a gentle flavor and it can be consumed with basil, lemon juice, and pesto. Also, while you are buying halibut fish, you should opt for the fish with glossy and white flesh.
3) Grouper
This is another substitute for barramundi and is known as the deep seawater fish and is generally found in the warm oceans. This fish is available in brown or green color and the appearance is amazing. Grouper has a strong body and is available in large sizes. For the most part, this fish doesn’t have teeth on the edge of the jaws, so cleaning this fish will be easier.
On top of everything, the grouper has a light flavor and the texture is firm and has huge flakes. In addition, it is a moist and thin fish that can be cooked pretty quickly. Grouper also has a red group and that fish has a light and sweet flavor. However, the black variety of grouper is also available. To summarize, grouper has a high nutritional profile which makes it a safe and healthy option.
4) Snapper
To begin with, this is the reef fish and is harvested from South Atlanta, the Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean waters. To be honest, the fish has a weird appearance since it’s bulgy and the mouth is too big. There are multiple varieties of snapper available but yellowtail snapper and red snapper are the most delicious ones. In addition, it has a firm and lean texture.
Moreover, snapper has a mild, delicate, and fresh flavor. As far as the flesh is concerned, it is white and the mild tints can be found in red and pink color.