Roasted Black Sea Sea Bass with Lemon and Dill
A simple yet elegant roasted sea bass inspired by the fresh fish from the Black Sea surrounding Crimea, accented with bright lemon and fragrant dill. This mediterranean-inspired no cook ready in about 35 minutes pairs whole sea bass, cleaned and scaled, extra virgin olive oil, fresh dill, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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
- 1.5 lbs whole sea bass, cleaned and scaled
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat the 1.5 lbs whole sea bass dry with paper towels and place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 2: Rub the fish inside and out with 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, then season generously with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even coating.
- Step 3: Stuff the cavity of the sea bass with 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves, and half of the 1 sliced lemon. Lay the remaining lemon slices on top of the fish.
- Step 4: Roast the sea bass in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the flesh flakes easily with a fork and the skin is slightly crisp.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving with a drizzle of any pan juices and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Roasted Black Sea Sea Bass with Lemon and Dill 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 Roasted Black Sea Sea Bass with Lemon and Dill?
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 extra virgin olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Roasted Black Sea Sea Bass with Lemon and Dill?
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 Roasted Black Sea Sea Bass with Lemon and Dill 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 Roasted Black Sea Sea Bass with Lemon and Dill?
Mediterranean no cook 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
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a weeknight dinner! The lemon and dill were a refreshing combo.
- ★★★★☆
Loved the flavor, but it was a bit bland for my family's taste.
- ★★★★☆
Tasted great, but the cooking time was longer than the recipe stated.
