Description
This Pan-Roasted Sea Bass with Garlic Butter is a simple and elegant Mediterranean-inspired main course featuring crispy skin sea bass fillets cooked to perfection in olive oil and finished with a fragrant garlic butter sauce, lemon zest, and fresh parsley. It is perfect for a quick yet sophisticated dinner that pairs well with roasted vegetables or a light salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Sea Bass
- 4 sea bass fillets (about 6 oz each), skin on and patted dry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Season the Sea Bass: Season both sides of the sea bass fillets generously with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Heat the Olive Oil: In a large oven-safe skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until hot, preparing the pan for searing.
- Sear the Fish Skin-Side Down: Place the fillets in the skillet skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until the skin becomes crispy and golden brown.
- Flip and Cook the Other Side: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 2 minutes to cook the fish through more evenly.
- Add Butter and Garlic: Reduce the heat to medium, add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and the minced garlic to the pan. Allow the butter to melt and begin to foam.
- Baste with Garlic Butter: Spoon the foaming garlic butter over the fish continuously as it finishes cooking for 1 to 2 minutes to infuse flavor and keep it moist.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat, drizzle the fillets with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for freshness and brightness.
- Serve: Plate the sea bass immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra citrus zing.
Notes
- For extra richness and to ensure the fish is fully cooked, finish the sea bass in a 400°F oven for 2 to 3 minutes after searing.
- This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables or a light green salad for a balanced meal.
