Baked Sea Bream with Olive Oil, Lemon, and Herbs
Whole sea bream oven-baked with fresh lemon slices, garlic, and aromatic herbs for a light and flavorful Mediterranean entrée. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, large lemon, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, sliced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 270 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 fish (about 1 lb each) whole sea bream, cleaned and scaled
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic cloves, sliced
- 4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- 4 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Rinse 2 whole sea bream (about 1 lb each) under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 2: Rub each fish inside and out with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Stuff the cavities with 8 slices of lemon, 2 sliced garlic cloves, 2 sprigs rosemary, and 2 sprigs thyme per fish.
- Step 3: Place the fish on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange remaining lemon slices and garlic around the fish. Drizzle the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil over the top.
- Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the skin is lightly crisp.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving immediately with lemon wedges.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Sea Bream with Olive Oil, Lemon, and Herbs take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Sea Bream with Olive Oil, Lemon, and Herbs?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Sea Bream with Olive Oil, Lemon, and Herbs?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Sea Bream with Olive Oil, Lemon, and Herbs for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Sea Bream with Olive Oil, Lemon, and Herbs?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The herbs and lemon were a wonderful complement. Served with roasted potatoes and it was a hit.
- ★★★★★
This is exactly how my grandmother made sea bream. Perfect for a special dinner.
- ★★★★☆
Simple and delicious. The olive oil made it so moist.
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