Grilled Sea Bass Recipe

Grilled Sea Bass Recipe

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Perfect grilled sea bass, worthy of your favorite restaurant, is just 40 minutes away. Make sure to bookmark this flavorful and flaky grilled sea bass recipe you'll come back to it again and again.

Grilled Sea Bass Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make the best grilled sea bass of your life:

  • Sea Bass: You'll need two pounds of sea bass fillets. If you can't find them at the grocery store, visit your local fishmonger.
  • Spices, Seasonings, and Herbs: This flavorful sea bass is seasoned before grilling with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, lemon pepper, and sea salt. You'll also need two cloves of garlic and parsley to infuse the butter that will be brushed onto the fish during grilling.
  • Butter: Parsley and garlic-infused butter are brushed onto the fish during grilling, resulting in a rich and herbaceous flavor.
  • Olive Oil: Before serving, you'll drizzle the grilled sea bass with high-quality olive oil.

How to Make Grilled Sea Bass

The full, step-by-step grilled sea bass recipe can be found below but here's a brief overview of what you can expect:

  • Mix the spices in a bowl, then generously season the fish fillets on both sides. Meanwhile, melt the butter, garlic, and parsley in a small saucepan. Set aside and let cool.
  • Grill the seasoned fish for about seven minutes, brush with butter, then flip and grill until cooked and flaky.
  • Drizzle with olive oil before serving.

How Long to Grill Sea Bass

This sea bass should be fully cooked in fewer than 15 minutes on a grill set to high heat (seven minutes on each side). An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the fish should read at least 145F.

What Is Sea Bass?

Sea bass is a flaky white fish with a mild flavor. It has a firm and meaty texture, which means it holds up well to the high heat of the grill.

What to Serve With Grilled Sea Bass

We love this grilled sea bass for many reasons, including its versatility. You can pair it with pretty much anything, from light side salads to hearty fried or roasted potatoes. In need of some delicious inspiration? Here are a few standout recipes you'll find:

  • Oven-Roasted Asparagus
  • Roasted Red New Potatoes
  • Sweet Restaurant Slaw

Plus, explore our entire collection of Side Dish Recipes for more options.

How to Store Grilled Sea Bass

Refrigerate grilled sea bass in an airtight for up to three days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Can You Freeze Grilled Sea Bass?

Yes, you can freeze grilled sea bass. Allow it to cool, then wrap it tightly in storage wrap. Follow the storage wrap with a layer of aluminum foil. Label with a date and freeze for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat in the oven from frozen.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories 12g Fat 1g Carbs 28g Protein
232 16% of daily value 0% of daily value 56% of daily value
Cholesterol: 78mg (26%) Sodium: 237mg (10%) Iron: 1mg (8%) Potassium: 405mg (9%)

Recipe Ingredients

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon paprika
  • Lemon pepper to taste
  • Sea salt to taste
  • 2 pounds sea bass
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped Italian flat-leaf parsley
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions

  1. Gather all ingredients.
  2. Preheat grill for high heat.
  3. In a small bowl, stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, lemon pepper, and sea salt. Sprinkle seasonings onto the fish.
  4. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the garlic and parsley. Remove from heat when the butter has melted, and set aside.
  5. Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill the fish for 7 minutes, then turn and drizzle with butter. Continue cooking for 7 minutes, or until the fish easily flakes with a fork.
  6. Drizzle with olive oil before serving.

Grilled Sea Bass Recipe

Comments

matgurl

10/06/2025 01:52:54 PM

freekin delicious, people!! seriously! and easy to boot! for about 1.25 lbs of sea bass i started out with 1 tspn each spice & 1/2 tspn of lemon pepper. that was too much lemon pepper so i added another 1/2 tspn of garlic, onion & paprika. it was just right. after sprinkling, i patted the fish and it ended up basically as a paste which kind of made a crust as it broiled. done, btw, on the second rack level of the oven. as the paste began to crisp i moved the rack down one more level. i drizzled just a bit of olive oil as the amount called for is too much in my opinion. definitely does not need the amount called for. also, i served the butter on the side. honestly, it was delicious with or without the butter. it really isn't needed. but that's just me as i try to cut fat wherever i can. served with garlic lemon green beans & brown rice. scrumpdillyicious!! p.s. if you are in the long beach area, you simply must visit the fishmonger at the alamitos marina farmers market on sunday. his fish is amazing!! but get there early cuz he sells out fast. bon appetit, mon frer!

sunnie

12/30/2020 02:23:44 AM

We loved it. Husband said it was the best fish he ever had. I couldn’t use my grill due to freezing cold and snowy weather, so I used my cast iron skillet first on the cooktop (medium heat) and then in a preheated 300 degree oven. I bought fresh sea bass from Whole Foods. I removed the skin from the fish and had two 1/2 lb pieces. I combined the paprika and garlic and onion powders and sprinkled the mixture on both sides of the fish. I used the full amount of the mixture for 1 lb of fish. Then I sprinkled on the lemon pepper and salt separately (eyeballing the amount) on both sides. I sautéed the garlic slightly (used 4 large fresh cloves) then added the parsley and sautéed a little more. I then added the fish. I cooked the fish (5 minutes each side) and then transferred the cast iron skillet into the oven for 5-8 minutes (uncovered) just until opaque. Delish!

Angel Alfieri Dunne

08/01/2020 11:38:40 PM

Absolutely delicious. Super easy to make - I used smoked paprika. I did not grill it. (I put it in the oven @425 for 10 mins, flipped it and put the butter mixture on it and put it back in for 7 minutes.). Next time I will broil it at the end for a min or two to let the top crisp up. Regardless- the flavor was amazing and perfect texture. Will make it again for sure. May try it with halibut next time, too.

Loves Cookin'

06/01/2019 09:52:25 PM

We used the amount of seasonings listed for about 12 oz of sea bass - that worked great. Also, I had no garlic powder, so I used garlic salt and skipped the sea salt. Also skipped the dose of olive oil and butter at the end, as many suggested. To avoid the fish breaking/flaking, we grilled it on a flat grill pan with holes. That allowed the fish to fully cook and stay intact. Delicious and elegant - we will be making it again to impress our friends! :-)

CheekyPlum7515

04/13/2023 01:45:31 AM

Best sea bass I've ever had. Cooked it in air fryer at 190°C for 10 min, no need to turn. Served with thinly sliced cucumber and tomato and white asparagus spears cooked with bacon pieces in hollandaise sauce.

cdiantonio10

07/19/2020 03:40:42 PM

This recipe is amazing! It is one of my favorite recipes on this site and my favorite fish recipe overall. I recommend using Chilean sea bass and doubling all of the spices with the exception of the lemon pepper. I also make this in the oven by cooking the fish in the butter, garlic, and parsley sauce. At the end I drizzle a little truffle oil on top for extra flavor. This is truly restaurant quality. I love serving this to company. It is always a hit.

Timothy Graber

12/27/2019 02:54:09 PM

I did this except pan fried it - got frozen fillets @ Costco. Thawed, cooked in same pan as I used for melting butter, etc in step 3. Then, 7 minutes each side on medium heat (gas stove). Rave review!! Will do this again soon with the rest of the fillets!!

Always hungry

03/20/2021 01:43:10 PM

OMG! Mmm mmm mmm . So good I almost forgot to take the pic before I devoured this. Baked a pound size Chilean Sea Bass in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Brushed fish with olive oil. Used extra paprika, garlic, and onion powder mixture to brush & cover the top. Added a lemon pepper and garlic salt to taste. Drizzled garlic butter over top when done cooking. Will definitely make this again.

Linda Glassman Bry

04/27/2021 04:35:14 AM

I used all of the seasonings, placed the sea bass in a greased pan and placed in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. I then flipped the sea bass, topped with melted butter and panko crumbs and baked another 8 minutes...delicious!!!

jewel11

06/14/2016 02:17:44 PM

My family loved this! It was delicious . I wrapped the sea bass in foil and then put it on the grill. I did not have to flip them over. I just sealed them in the foil and let them cook for 7 min and then opened them to add the butter/ garlic mixture, then resealed them, and let them cook for another 7-10 min. I didn't have Lemon pepper so I substituted white pepper. At the end I didn't use olive oil, I just squeezed some fresh lemon on them. Tip: Make sure you spray the foil with cooking spray before you put fish on foil. I will be making this again for sure!

MoMo

06/07/2020 03:36:11 PM

This is a great recipe and so simple to make! I doubled the amount of spices, didn't have lemon pepper but added some lemon zest instead. I also melted the butter and put all the spices in that and then brushed the rock fish before grilling. I didn't add any oil since it didn't need it.

Loren

08/07/2025 12:34:45 AM

Loved this recipe. Made a small change and used black garlic in the butter and parsley instead of minced cloves. So good! Used a cedar plank to cook on.

Carol Thomas

06/28/2025 03:23:49 AM

Would change nothing in this recipe. The flavors were delicious and paired well with the mild flavor of the Sea Bass. Looking forward to making this one again. Thanks

RusticDosa9114

02/21/2025 09:45:47 PM

Wife lost her sense of smell 18 months ago but she could taste this. You must try this recipe.

Stefanie Grana

09/09/2024 10:47:24 PM

My husband fishes bass so we have tried it EVERY way you can make it. This recipe was easy, fast, simple and DELICIOUS! The best part is that it doesn’t overpower the natural flavour of the fish. 10/10! For whatever reason, my garlic turned blue but I assume it was from the fresh parsley 🤷‍♀️

Linda Green

06/22/2024 06:11:22 PM

Made it in no time, and it was delicious.

cindy johnston

06/16/2024 09:08:36 AM

read this recipe and comments and thought... hmm, that would be nice someday - a viola! Chilean Sea Bass was on sale at wholefoods and I happen to have company. It was such a hit!!! i'll def make it again. Followed the recipe almost to a tee. perfect introduction to sea bass, which I had never made/had before. thanks so much.

Lhorneck

06/03/2024 07:28:52 PM

I look forward to serving it to guests. It’s so flavorful

SweetMug5377

04/05/2024 07:42:56 PM

I've made this twice. This recipe is delicious! My wife absolutely loves it. 7 minutes per side on a gas grill that was pre-warmed and set on low was perfect. The fish broke apart when removed from the grill and was still moist and delicious.

roachnest

01/23/2024 04:36:04 PM

Added herbs de provence to the butter