Pan-Fried Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Garden Salad
Lightly pan-fried Australian barramundi seasoned with native lemon myrtle, served alongside a crisp garden salad with a zesty vinaigrette. This australian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) barramundi fillets, lemon myrtle powder, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 4 fillets (6 oz each) barramundi fillets
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium, sliced thin cucumber
- 1/4 medium, thinly sliced red onion
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 barramundi fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add the fillets skin-side down, cooking for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden brown. Carefully flip and cook another 3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, combine 4 cups mixed salad greens, 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 sliced medium cucumber, and 1/4 thinly sliced red onion in a large bowl.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp honey, and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice until emulsified.
- Step 5: Toss the salad with the dressing just before serving and plate alongside the warm barramundi fillets for a fresh and vibrant meal.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Garden Salad take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Pan-Fried Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Garden Salad?
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 lemon myrtle powder from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Garden Salad?
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 Pan-Fried Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Garden Salad 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 Pan-Fried Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle and Fresh Garden Salad?
Australian 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.