Lemon Herb Sea Bass (Branzino al Forno)
When you want a restaurant-quality fish dinner without the 45-minute prep or complex techniques.
If your brain is fried from a long day, this Sea Bass dish is the ultimate 'easy win' on the menu. It takes the spirit of traditional Branzino al Forno—which usually involves whole fish and lots of fuss—and streamlines it into a fast roast using fillets. You get that gorgeous Mediterranean flavor profile of lemon, garlic, and herbs without any complicated steps or messy techniques. The roasting process creates a beautiful texture on the fish while keeping it incredibly moist and flaky. It looks like something you'd order at an upscale bistro, but it actually comes together in under 20 minutes from start to finish. Just pop it in the oven, set a timer, and relax for a few moments with a glass of water or tea.
Ingredients
- 2 unit sea bass fillets — approx. 6oz each
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 unit garlic — minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 0.5 tbsp fresh parsley — chopped
- 1 pinch salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 unit lemon — thinly sliced into rounds
Method
- 1 Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a small baking sheet or parchment-lined tray.
- 2 In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley.
- 3 Pat the sea bass fillets dry with a paper towel. Place them on the baking sheet.
- 4 Brush the herb and lemon mixture over both sides of each fillet, then tuck a few lemon slices between or atop the fish.
- 5 Roast in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- 6 Remove from the oven and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Variations
- The 'I Need It Now' Swap — Swap sea bass for cod or tilapia; they cook at the same rate and absorb the lemon flavors beautifully.
- Vegetarian Twist — Replace the fish with thick slices of cauliflower steak, tossed in the same herb and garlic oil.
Notes
For an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade. Serve with some quick-steamed green beans or a simple arugula salad.
Equipment that helps
- Baking Sheet — Allows for easy cleanup and even roasting of the fillets.
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