10+ Sea Bass Recipes You’ll Love to Try Today
Sea bass is one of those fish that’s easy to cook at home and honestly, kind of hard to mess up. It’s got this mild flavor and a soft, flaky texture, so you can do a lot with it.
Bake it, grill it, or just toss it in a pan—there’s always a way to make sea bass work for whatever mood you’re in.
If you want to whip up something simple and tasty with sea bass, you’re in the right place. No need for fancy chef skills here.
Sea bass plays well with all sorts of seasonings and sauces, so you can experiment every time you cook it.
1) Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass with Lemon Butter Sauce
Pan-seared Chilean sea bass is one of those meals that feels a little fancy but is secretly easy. Just season your fish with salt and pepper, then heat up some olive oil in a pan until it’s good and hot.
Lay the sea bass in, skin-side down, and let it get golden. Flip it, cook until it’s flaky, and that’s most of the hard work done.
While the fish is finishing, melt some butter and squeeze in fresh lemon juice. Pour that over the top for a bright, buttery finish.
This whole thing takes about 20 minutes, tops.
Ingredients
- 12 oz Chilean sea bass
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup butter
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
Cooking Instructions
- Season the sea bass with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook the fish skin side down for 4-5 minutes.
- Flip and cook for 3-4 minutes more.
- Melt butter and stir in lemon juice.
- Spoon lemon butter sauce over fish before serving.
2) Baked Chilean Sea Bass with Asparagus and Mushrooms
Baked Chilean sea bass with veggies is a go-to for a healthy dinner that doesn’t take much effort. The fish stays moist, and the asparagus and mushrooms pick up great flavor as they roast.
Just toss the veggies with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Lay the sea bass fillets on top, squeeze over some lemon juice, and bake.
You’ll get a meal that’s light but still feels satisfying.
Ingredients
- 4 Chilean sea bass fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 18 asparagus stalks, trimmed
- 1 pint sliced mushrooms (shiitake or your choice)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss asparagus and mushrooms with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Place the vegetables on a baking sheet and arrange sea bass fillets on top.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the fish and season lightly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the fish is cooked through and vegetables are tender.
- Serve warm with the roasted veggies on the side.
For more details, you can check this Baked Chilean Sea Bass recipe.
3) Honey Soy Glazed Sea Bass
Honey soy glazed sea bass is all about that sweet-salty combo. Whisk together honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a splash of lemon juice.
Let the sea bass hang out in the marinade for about an hour. It’s worth the wait, trust me.
When you’re ready, bake it at 450°F (230°C) until the top gets caramelized and a little sticky. The glaze is so good with rice or some simple greens.
Ingredients:
- 2 sea bass fillets
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Cooking Instructions:
- Mix soy sauce, honey, lemon juice, and garlic in a bowl.
- Marinate sea bass for 1 hour in the fridge.
- Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Place sea bass in a baking dish, remove excess marinade.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until cooked through and glazed.
4) Sea Bass San Sebastian Style
Sea Bass San Sebastian style is a dish that’s simple but feels a little special. Lay the fish on a bed of thinly sliced peppers—that keeps it moist as it bakes.
Sprinkle grated almonds on top for a bit of crunch and a nutty kick. Add salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil.
Roast at 400°F (200°C) for about 12 to 15 minutes. The flavors are clean and fresh, inspired by the Basque coast.
Ingredients:
- 2 sea bass fillets
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup grated almonds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange sliced peppers in a single layer on a baking dish.
- Place sea bass fillets on top of the peppers.
- Season with salt, pepper, and drizzle olive oil over the fish.
- Sprinkle grated almonds evenly across the fillets.
- Roast for 12-15 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
5) Grilled Sea Bass with Herbs
Grilling sea bass with herbs is about as summery as it gets. Season the fish inside and out with salt and pepper, and tuck a few lemon slices into the belly.
Rub on fresh rosemary and bay leaves for an herbal aroma. Grill over medium heat until the fish flakes with a fork.
If you’re feeling fancy, make a quick herb sauce with olive oil, shallots, lemon juice, and whatever herbs you have on hand.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sea bass
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3-4 lemon slices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary
- 2 bay leaves
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium heat (about 375°F / 190°C).
- Wash and dry the sea bass.
- Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
- Place lemon slices and herbs inside the belly.
- Rub olive oil over the fish.
- Grill for 6-8 minutes per side until cooked through.
- Serve with herb sauce if desired.
For more details on herb sauce options, see this grilled whole black sea bass recipe.
6) Simple Oven-Baked Sea Bass with Garlic and Olive Oil
Oven-baked sea bass with garlic and olive oil is as easy as it sounds. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
Mix up some minced garlic with olive oil, salt, and a little pepper.
Place the sea bass in a baking dish and rub the garlic oil mixture all over.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, just until the fish flakes with a fork.
It’s unfussy, quick, and always comes out moist and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 whole sea bass, cleaned
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
- Mix garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Place sea bass in a baking dish.
- Rub the garlic oil mixture all over the fish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily.
More details can be found on this Simple Oven-Baked Sea Bass Recipe.
7) Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Lemon Garlic Herb Sauce
Pan-fried sea bass is quick and always turns out delicious. The outside gets crisp, while the inside stays juicy.
Whip up a lemon garlic herb sauce with fresh thyme, parsley, and oregano. Cook the fish in a mix of butter and olive oil for that extra richness.
Pour the warm sauce over the fish before serving. You’ll have dinner ready in about 20 minutes.
Pair it with steamed veggies or a salad if you want to keep things light.
Ingredients
- 2 sea bass fillets
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh oregano
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley
Cooking Instructions
- Season the fillets with salt and pepper.
- Lightly coat the fish with flour.
- Heat olive oil and 2 tbsp butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Cook fillets for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Remove fish and keep warm.
- Add garlic to the pan and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in lemon juice, herbs, and remaining butter until melted.
- Pour sauce over the fish and serve immediately.
Find more details on pan-fried sea bass with lemon garlic herb sauce.
8) Miso and Soy Sea Bass
Let’s talk about miso and soy sea bass. You just marinate the fish in miso paste, soy sauce, sake, and mirin.
That combo gives the sea bass a sweet, salty kick that really highlights its buttery texture. Let the fish hang out in the marinade for a few hours, or overnight if you’re patient.
Broil or bake the sea bass until it flakes apart when you poke it with a fork. The glaze comes out shiny and tastes especially good with rice or some quick veggies.
Ingredients
- 16-24 oz Chilean sea bass, cut into portions
- 3 tbsp white or red miso paste
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup mirin
- 1/4 cup sake
- 1 tbsp sugar
Cooking Instructions
- Whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, mirin, sake, and sugar in a bowl.
- Put the sea bass in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over it.
- Cover and stick it in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you’ve got the time.
- Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Line a baking sheet with foil and lay out the sea bass.
- Bake or broil for 10-12 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
- Serve it warm with whatever sides sound good.
9) Barramundi with Lemon Basil Sauce
Barramundi is a mellow fish, so it’s perfect with a crispy breadcrumb crust. The lemon basil sauce? Super fresh and bright—kind of makes the whole dish pop.
Brush the fillets with olive oil first. Coat them in a simple breadcrumb and seasoning mix.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) until the crust turns golden and the fish flakes easily. Meanwhile, melt some butter with lemon juice and chopped basil.
Drizzle the sauce over the fish right before serving. That way, you get all the moisture and aroma.
Ingredients
- Barramundi fillets
- Olive oil
- Breadcrumbs
- Seafood seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Unsalted butter
- Fresh lemon juice
- Fresh basil leaves
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Brush the fish with olive oil.
- Mix breadcrumbs, seafood seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder together.
- Coat the fish with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden.
- Melt butter in a pan with lemon juice and a little minced garlic.
- Stir in chopped basil.
- Pour the sauce over the baked barramundi right before serving.
10) 20-Minute Chilean Sea Bass with Lemon-Caper Butter
If you’re short on time, you can get Chilean sea bass on the table in 20 minutes flat. Start by pan-searing the fish until it’s golden and crispy on the outside.
Pop it in the oven for a few minutes so it stays tender and juicy. The lemon-caper butter sauce brings a tangy, fresh punch that’s hard not to love.
Mix up butter, capers, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley for a sauce that feels a little fancy, even though it’s super quick. This recipe is a favorite for busy nights or when you want to impress without breaking a sweat.
Ingredients
- 4 Chilean sea bass fillets
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Lemon zest (optional)
Cooking Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Sprinkle salt and pepper on the fillets—don’t be shy about it.
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Warm up some olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
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Sear the sea bass for about 2-3 minutes on each side, just until it turns golden.
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Move the fillets to the oven and bake them for 5 minutes.
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Using the same pan, toss in some butter and let it melt.
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Add garlic, lemon juice, capers, parsley, and a bit of lemon zest. Stir it all together.
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Spoon that lemon-caper butter over the fish and serve right away.
If you want the whole rundown, check out this lemon caper butter Chilean sea bass recipe.