This Oven Baked Sea Bass recipe is your ticket to a quick, healthy, and delicious family dinner. Using only 7 simple ingredients, this dish delivers a tender, melt-in-your-mouth sea bass that will have everyone asking for seconds.
This baked sea bass recipe is the perfect way to enjoy the unique tenderness and flavor of this white fish. Once you've tasted the melt-in-your-mouth texture of perfectly cooked sea bass, you'll understand why it stands out from its close cousin, the halibut.
If you're a fan of this baked sea bass recipe, you'll definitely want to try my Sheet Pan Salmon. It's a crowd-pleaser with its flaky texture and crispy coating, bursting with zesty flavors. Or, for a quick and satisfying dinner, my Cod Piccata in a creamy Piccata sauce is a 30-minute recipe your family will surely love.
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Why This Is The Best Baked Sea Bass Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This baked sea bass recipe is a breeze to prepare. With a prep time of just a few minutes, you'll have a delicious meal ready in no time.
- Delicious: The combination of sea bass, garlic, butter, and lemon zest creates a flavor profile that is simply irresistible.
- Classic Flavors: This recipe uses classic ingredients like garlic, butter, and lemon zest, creating a dish that is both familiar and comforting.
- Family Favorite: Sea bass is a crowd-pleaser, and this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.
- Comfort Food: With its buttery, garlicky goodness, this baked sea bass is the ultimate comfort food.
- One-Pot Wonder: This recipe is cooked in one dish, making cleanup a breeze.
Key Ingredients
Here's an overview of some key ingredients for this recipe. For the full list of ingredients and measurements, please scroll to the recipe card below.
- Sea Bass fillets: The star of our dish, Sea Bass fillets provide a lean, moist, and flaky texture with a mild yet sweet flavor.
- Garlic: Finely minced garlic adds a robust and aromatic flavor that infuses the fish, enhancing its natural taste.
- Unsalted Butter: This is the fat in our recipe. It gives the dish a rich, buttery flavor and helps brown the fish.
- Lemon Zest: The zest from a fresh lemon adds a tangy and refreshing note, cutting through the richness of the butter and complementing the fish.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: These Japanese breadcrumbs add a crispy, crunchy texture to the dish, providing a nice contrast to the soft, flaky fish.
How to Make Baked Sea Bass
Making this incredible baked sea bass recipe at home is super easy and will give you great results every single time. Here's how to make it step by step:
- Preheat your oven: Start by setting your oven to 350 F. This will ensure it's at the perfect temperature for baking your Chilean sea bass fillets.
- Prepare your garlic-infused butter: In a small pan, melt the butter and add minced garlic. Let this mixture simmer on medium-low heat for about one minute or until the butter starts to bubble. Remove it from the heat and let it sit for five minutes. This will allow the garlic to infuse its flavor into the butter. After the infusion, discard the garlic from the butter. You can use a fine-mesh strainer to do that.
- Season the fish: Now, place your Chilean sea bass fillets on a greased baking dish. Sprinkle them with kosher salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor of the white fish.
- Prepare your breadcrumb mixture: In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs, lemon zest, and chopped fresh parsley. This mixture will give your fish a crunchy texture and a burst of flavor.
- Apply the breadcrumb mixture and butter: Spread the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the fish. Next, pour the garlic-infused butter over the breadcrumb-covered fish, making sure to cover all the surface evenly.
- Bake the fish: Now it's time to bake! Place your prepared fish in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
- Serve your dish: Your baked sea bass is best served warm. Pair it with a fresh salad for a balanced, healthy meal. Enjoy your homemade Chilean sea bass recipe!
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Tips For Making the Best Baked Sea Bass
- Infuse the butter: Cooking garlic in butter not only softens the garlic but also infuses the butter with a rich, savory flavor. This garlic-infused butter is then used to enhance the flavor of the sea bass fillets.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh ingredients like lemon zest and thyme can significantly elevate the flavor of your dish. Fresh parsley or lime can also be used as a garnish to add a pop of color and freshness.
- Don't skip the breadcrumbs: The Panko breadcrumbs provide a crunchy texture that contrasts beautifully with the soft, flaky sea bass. They also help to lock in the juices of the fish, keeping it moist and flavorful.
Serving Suggestions
- For a balanced dinner, pair your baked sea bass with a side of steamed green beans and a light drizzle of olive oil. The crunchiness of the beans complements the soft texture of the fish perfectly.
- Want a hearty meal? Serve your Baked Sea Bass atop a bed of fluffy, white rice. The subtle flavor of the rice allows the rich flavors of the sea bass and garlic butter to shine.
- Baked Sea Bass also pairs beautifully with a side of roasted asparagus or broccoli. The earthy flavors of these vegetables enhance the delicate taste of the sea bass, making for a delicious and nutritious dinner.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Asian-Inspired: For a twist on this sea bass recipe, try adding a marinade of soy sauce, ginger, and fresh lemon juice. Let the sea bass fillets soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes before baking. This will infuse the fish with a tangy, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with a side of rice.
- Extra Veggies: If you're looking to add more veggies to your meal, this variation is for you. Simply add a handful of green beans, asparagus, or broccoli to the baking dish before you bake the sea bass. The vegetables will cook alongside the fish, soaking up the garlic butter and juices for a flavorful and nutritious side dish.
- Italian Flair: For a Mediterranean touch, try adding some cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley to your baked sea bass recipe. The tomatoes will burst in the oven, creating a delicious sauce that complements the white fish perfectly. Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions
The sea bass is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork. If you have a food thermometer, it should read 145F (63C). This usually takes about 15 minutes in a preheated oven at 350 F. Be careful not to overcook it as it can become dry.
This baked sea bass pairs well with a variety of sides. A simple salad, green beans, asparagus, or even rice would complement the flavors of the fish. You can also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for extra flavor.
Absolutely! Feel free to add fresh parsley or other herbs to the breadcrumb mixture. You can also sprinkle some parmesan cheese for a different twist.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: If you have leftovers from your baked sea bass recipe, simply place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge. They will keep for up to 2 days.
- Reheat Instructions: To reheat your sea bass, place it in a baking dish and warm it in the oven at a low temperature. This will help maintain the texture and flavor of the fish.
- Freeze: Unfortunately, it's not recommended to freeze cooked sea bass as it can alter the texture and flavor. However, you can freeze raw sea bass fillets. Wrap them tightly in plastic and place them in a freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
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Recipe
Baked Sea Bass Fillet With Garlic Butter And Herbs
Ingredients
- 2 Sea Bass fillets
- 4 cloves garlic finely minced
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 lemon zested
- 4 tablespoons Panko bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon thyme finely chopped
- Salt, pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter, add minced garlic, and cook on medium-low heat for about 1 minute or until the butter bubbles. Remove from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes to allow the garlic to infuse the butter. Discard garlic from the butter.
- Place Sea Bass Fillets on a previously greased baking dish, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs, lemon zest, and chopped thyme. together the
- Spread the breadcrumb mixture all over the fish. Pour over an infused butter to cover all the fish's surfaces evenly. Bake for 15 min, until fish is cooked through.
- Serve warm with a salad!
Notes
Nutrition
Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Amanda says
Easy and delicious
Laurie Dixon says
Excellent recipe! I made it with gluten-free almond breadcrumbs (@clotildenet) and I will make it again.
Iryna says
Thank you for your comment Laurie! I'm very happy you enjoyed the recipe!
Brittany @ DIY Just Cuz says
This sounds delicious and so simple! I've been wanting to eat more fish...I'll have to try this ๐ Thanks for sharing this at the Welcome Home Wednesday Link party! We hope to see you again next week!
http://www.diyjustcuz.com
Michelle at A Dish of Daily Life says
My whole family likes sea bass, and we are garlic fiends, so I am fairly certain this recipe will be a big hit!
Iryna says
Definitely! It's really good:)