Pan-Fried Whole Sea Bream with Garlic, Dill, and Lemon Butter Sauce

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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Whole sea bream pan-fried until golden, served with a fragrant garlic, fresh dill, and lemon butter sauce for a classic Greek seafood dish. This Greek-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs whole sea bream, all-purpose flour, extra virgin olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Greek cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 whole cleaned sea bream (about 1 lb each) and season inside and out with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Lightly dredge each fish in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish carefully and cook for 5-6 minutes per side until the skin is golden brown and the flesh flakes easily.
  3. Step 3: Remove the fish and keep warm. Lower the heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 3 tbsp chopped fresh dill and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, cooking for 30 seconds more.
  5. Step 5: Pour the lemon butter sauce over the fish and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Whole Sea Bream with Garlic, Dill, and Lemon Butter Sauce take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Whole Sea Bream with Garlic, Dill, and Lemon Butter Sauce?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Whole Sea Bream with Garlic, Dill, and Lemon Butter Sauce?

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 Whole Sea Bream with Garlic, Dill, and Lemon Butter Sauce for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Whole Sea Bream with Garlic, Dill, and Lemon Butter Sauce?

Greek 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.

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