Oven-Baked Sea Bass with Garlic and Olive Oil
Cooking Time:
25mins
Level:
Easy
This simple baked sea bass is one of my easy family-style fish recipes. I usually buy fresh sea bass from the fishmonger, clean it well with salt, then marinate it with garlic, olive oil, and a little salt before baking. The fish becomes tender, lightly golden, and full of simple Mediterranean flavour.
Ingredients
- 1 whole sea bass, cleaned, head and tail removed
- 2–3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or crushed
- 1–2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- A little extra salt for cleaning the fish
- Optional: lemon slices or fresh parsley for serving
Clean the Fish
Rinse the sea bass under cold water. Sprinkle a little salt over the fish, especially inside the body cavity, then gently rub and rinse again. This helps clean away any blood or fishy smell.
Prepare the Fish
Remove the head and tail if needed. Cut the fish through the middle so it opens into two pieces, or ask the fishmonger to prepare it this way for you.
Marinate the Fish
Place the sea bass in a dish. Add salt, chopped garlic, and olive oil. Rub the marinade gently over both sides of the fish. Leave it to marinate for at least 30–40 minutes, or longer if you have time. You can also marinate it overnight in the fridge.
Bake the Fish
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the marinated sea bass on a baking tray. Bake for about 20 minutes, depending on the size and thickness of the fish.
Check and Serve
The fish is ready when the flesh turns white, the surface has a few light golden spots, and you can hear a gentle sizzling sound from the oil and juices. Serve warm with salad, rice, potatoes, or simple vegetables.