Recipe

Ultimate Chilean Sea Bass Recipe

Buttery, flaky sea bass with crisp edges and a rich lemon caper pan sauce. Restaurant vibes, weeknight effort.

By Matt Campbell

•

4.9

A golden-seared Chilean sea bass fillet on a white plate with lemon caper butter sauce, parsley, and a lemon wedge

Chilean sea bass is the kind of fish that makes people think you did something complicated. You did not. What you did do is sear it hard, baste it in butter, then finish with a quick pan sauce that tastes like it came from a place with cloth napkins and a waitlist.

This recipe is rich and savory in the best way: crisp top, juicy flakes, and a lemony, briny caper finish that cuts through all that buttery goodness. If you can heat a skillet and resist poking the fish every 12 seconds, you can absolutely nail this.

Why It Works

Crisp edges, tender center: We start in a hot pan to build a golden crust, then finish gently so the fish stays buttery and flaky.
A sauce that fixes everything: Lemon, capers, and a splash of broth or wine deglaze the pan and pull all the browned bits into a glossy, spoonable sauce.
No mystery ingredients: Everything is easy to find, and the method works with other thick white fish if you need a backup plan.
Low-drama timing: The sauce comes together while the fish rests, so dinner hits the table hot and confident.

Pairs Well With

Storage Tips

Sea bass is best right away, but leftovers can still be really good if you treat them gently.

How to store

Fridge: Cool leftovers quickly, then store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep extra sauce in a separate container if you can.
Freezer: Not my favorite for this fish because the texture can turn a little spongy, but you can freeze it for up to 1 month for best quality. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

How to reheat without drying it out

Skillet method (best): Add a small splash of water or broth to a nonstick skillet, add fish, cover, and warm on low until just heated through.
Oven method: Wrap loosely in foil with a spoonful of sauce or a pat of butter. Heat at 275°F until warm, about 10 to 15 minutes depending on thickness.
Microwave method: Use 50% power in short bursts. This is last resort, but it works.

Leftover move: Flake the fish into warm rice with a squeeze of lemon and any extra sauce. Add a handful of arugula and call it a fancy bowl.

Common Questions

Is Chilean sea bass actually bass?

Not exactly. Chilean sea bass is a market name used primarily for Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and sometimes Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni), depending on origin. Either way, it is prized for its high fat content, which makes it naturally rich and forgiving to cook.

How do I know when sea bass is done?

Look for opaque flesh that flakes easily with a fork. If you use a thermometer, you have two good targets depending on the finish you want: 125°F to 130°F for a juicy, restaurant-style result (the center may still look just slightly translucent), or 145°F for FDA guideline doneness. The temperature will climb a bit as it rests.

Can I bake it instead of pan-searing?

Yes. You will miss some crust, but it is still delicious. Bake at 425°F until it flakes, usually 10 to 15 minutes depending on thickness. You can still make the sauce in a small saucepan.

What if I cannot find Chilean sea bass?

Use another thick, mild white fish: black cod (sablefish) is the closest in richness, then halibut or cod. For leaner fish, reduce cook time and baste well.

Do I need to remove the skin?

Most sea bass is sold skinless, but if yours has skin you can cook it either way. For the best texture, start skin-side down and press gently for the first 30 seconds so it does not curl.

Matt Campbell

I have always had a huge passion for the culinary arts, people, working as a team, and so on. I wanted to pursue my love for cooking initially at Virginia Commonwealth University with a culinary arts degree; however, I instead decided to apply myself and acquire more practical skills. My end goal is to eventually open my own restaurant or similar establishment.

Kitchen Essentials

12-inch skillet (stainless steel or cast iron for the best sear)
Fish spatula (or a thin, flexible spatula)
Paper towels (dry fish equals better browning)
Instant-read thermometer (optional, but confidence-boosting)
Small spoon for basting

The first time I cooked Chilean sea bass at home, I treated it like a fragile little treasure. Low heat, lots of hovering, and zero crust. It tasted fine, but it was not that restaurant thing I was chasing. The next time I did what I should have done from the start: I got the pan hot, dried the fish like I meant it, and let it sit long enough to actually brown. Then I made a quick lemon caper butter sauce in the same pan and suddenly it was that mid-bite pause moment. Like, okay, wow. Now this is my go-to “I want to impress but I also want to sit down and eat” dinner.

Ultimate Chilean Sea Bass Recipe

(4.9 Reviews)

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 22 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

4 Chilean sea bass fillets (about 6 oz each, 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick)
1 1/4 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp neutral oil (avocado, grapeseed, or canola)
4 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra savory depth)
1/4 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
2 tbsp capers, drained
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)

Optional add-ins: 2 to 3 sprigs thyme or rosemary for basting.

Wine note: Choose a dry (not sweet) white like sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or unoaked chardonnay.

Instructions

Dry and season the fish. Pat the sea bass very dry with paper towels. Season all over with salt and pepper. Let it sit at room temp for 5 to 10 minutes while your pan heats.
Heat the skillet. Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oil. When it shimmers (hot but not smoking), you are ready.
Sear for crisp edges. Place the fish in the pan presentation-side down (the prettier side). Do not move it. Sear until deep golden, about 3 to 5 minutes depending on thickness.
Skin-on note: If your fillets have skin, start skin-side down and give them an extra minute or two to crisp before flipping.
Flip and butter-baste. Flip the fillets carefully. Add 2 tablespoons butter (and herbs if using). Once the butter foams, tilt the pan and spoon the butter over the fish for 1 to 2 minutes.
Finish gently. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the fish is opaque and flakes easily, about 2 to 4 minutes more.
Temperature targets: For a juicy, restaurant-style finish, pull it around 125°F to 130°F (the very center can be just barely translucent). For FDA guideline doneness, cook to 145°F.
Rest the fish. Transfer fish to a plate and loosely tent with foil. If you used thyme or rosemary, discard the sprigs so they do not end up in the sauce.
Build the pan sauce. Pour off excess fat if needed, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan. Quick check: if the butter solids are black and burnt, carefully wipe out the pan and start fresh with 1 tablespoon butter. If they are golden brown, keep them. Add the garlic and cook 20 to 30 seconds until fragrant. Add Dijon (if using) and stir.
Deglaze. Add wine or broth, scraping up the browned bits. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
Finish the sauce. Add capers, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes (if using), and the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until glossy. Taste and adjust salt and lemon.
Serve. Spoon sauce over the sea bass, shower with parsley, and add lemon wedges. Eat it while it is hot and the edges are still crisp.

Quick success tip: If the fish is sticking when you try to flip, give it 30 more seconds. A proper sear releases when it is ready.

Common pitfalls (fast fixes): Do not overcrowd the pan (sear in batches if needed), and if your butter is browning too fast during basting, lower the heat a notch.

Nutrition information is estimated.

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