Deliciously flaky pan-seared branzino cooked in a few simple spices, butter and lemon juice. It’s a 20-minute meal to serve with some grilled veggies, a fresh salad, and roasted potatoes.
Pan-seared Branzino
I picked up some frozen branzino fillets from Trader Joes a couple of weeks back and was craving a simple, lemony pan-seared fish. I seasoned the fish with some salt, pepper, garlic powder and cajun spice, and pan-seared them in a little butter.
They turned out so flakey and flavorful, and paired perfectly with a fresh kale salad.
Pan-seared fish is one of my favorite methods of preparing white fish. Most white fish are pretty mild in flavor, but after a little seasoning and searing, you’re left with delicious, melt-in-your mouth fish.
How to make simple pan-seared branzino
This dish comes together in just a few simple steps, and in just under 20 minutes!
- Season the fish– start by seasoning the branzino fillets with cajun spice, garlic powder, salt & pepper
- Heat your pan– heat a skillet on medium heat with some butter. You can use vegan butter to make this dairy-free
- Pan-sear the fish– after heating your pan, pan-sear the fish fillets for about 3 minutes per side, starting with the skin side down
- Garnish with lemon juice and parsley– Once the fish is ready, add some fresh lemon juice on top, chopped parsley, and a pinch of salt
I love serving this with a kale salad and my favorite smashed potatoes. It’s a simple weeknight meal that the whole family with love!
You guys are going to love this easy recipe. I can’t wait for you to try it!
What to serve with your branzino:
Za’atar Smashed Potatoes with Chipotle Tahini
Green Goddess Pasta
Balsamic Date Kale Salad with Fried Halloumi
Pan-seared Branzino
Course: Main4
servings10
minutes8
minutes18
minutesIngredients
4 branzino fillets
2 tbsp butter, dairy or vegan
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cajun spice
Directions
- Pat the branzino dry with a paper towel. Combine the salt, pepper, garlic powder and cajun spice together and rub the mixture over the fish.
- Heat a skillet on medium heat/low, then add in the butter. Once the butter is melted, add in the branzino skin side down. Depending on how big your pan is, you may want to cook two fillets at a time.
- Cook the fish on medium heat for about 3 minutes, then flip the fish over and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
- Once ready, garnish with chopped parsley, lemon juice and a pinch of salt
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @somethingnutritious on Instagram- I’d love to see your creations!
Loved this recipe. So simple, yet classic and beautiful tasting. The only change I made was to exchange thyme with the canon spice.
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Colette!
It’s sinful to put garlic and Cajun spice on such a delicate delicious fish. I just pan seared it in the butter with a little salt and pepper and parsley. why add flavoring to an already great tasting delicate fish?
What’s sinful is calling other people’s food choices “sinful.” I see your point, but taste is subjective and perhaps the blogger prefers the way it’s presented. You can certainly say you like yours your way, but for heaven’s sake, lose the judgmental attitude.
This is my first time eating and cooking Branzino and your recipe made our dinner so delicious! I did a couple of different things 1) substituted cajun seasoning for jerk seasoning. I didn’t have enough cajun 2) I squeezed 1/2 a lemon after seasoning the fillet 3) used cilantro to top as I was out of parsley. I think what’s most successful about your recipe the simplicity and the right amount of cook on the fish! So juicy and crispy skin is perfect Thank you
My go-to Branzino recipe! Simple yet restaurant quality taste! What I love the most is all the recipe ingredients are usually stocked at home no need to go buy fancy ingredients! Gal thank you and keep the great recipes coming!
So simple and delicious. The whole family enjoyed.
So happy to hear that!