Light and lemony baked basa is as delicious as it is pretty. It's a quick and easy recipe.
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This recipe works well with many types of fish including mahi mahi, swai and tilapia. It even works on Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken. But, it is spectacular on basa.
I pick this fish up at my local supermarket--nothing exotic going on here. It has a moist, light-firm texture and a very mild fish flavor. That's what makes it so popular these days. It easily soaks up the lemon, butter and spices in this recipe. You won't believe you are eating a cousin to a catfish!
I partnered with Darlene Hardister-Heumann who created this recipe for her cookbook, The Southern Sass Cookbook: It's All in the Sass! and offered it at our meal assembly store. It was a hit!
Now, I still enjoy this recipe at home because it's allergy friendly and depending upon how much and what type of butter is used, low in WW points. It's also nice over salad greens or in a fish taco. 🙂
The fresh feel of this dish is owed to the chopped green onions and parsley. And, of course, the fresh squeezed lemon. 🙂
Easy Prep For Lemony Baked Basa
The preparation is E-A-S-Y. Pour the melted butter and lemon over the fish and then sprinkle the rest of the ingredients over the top. Or, use pats of butter that will melt during the cooking process.
It is easy to adjust the number of servings. Each fish fillet is topped with:
- 1 Tablespoon butter (or substitute)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of lemon-pepper seasoning
- Dash of garlic powder,
- Smidgeon of paprika
- Salt to taste
- ½ Tablespoon green onion
- ½ Tablespoon parsley
I have adorable measuring spoons with these labels. But, you don't need them...just evenly sprinkle the spices over the top of the fish.
Lemony baked basa is great over salad greens or in a fish taco too! Doesn't it just shriek healthy goodness? You'll see just how easy it is to make in this 30 second video...any mild white fish works. Tilapia is used in the video.
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Lemony Baked Basa
Ingredients
- 4 basa fish fillets or other mild white fish about 4 ounces each
- 8 teaspoons butter or substitute, melted
- 4 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Dash paprika
- Sea salt to taste
- ¼ cup green onions sliced thin
- 2 Tablespoons parsley chopped
- Lemon wedges optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees °F.
- Pat fish fillets dry and place in a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
- Pour lemon juice and melted butter over fish.
- Sprinkle remaining ingredients over fish.
- Bake uncovered for 10-12 minutes or until fish flakes with a fork.
- Serve with lemon wedges, if using.
Notes
Nutrition
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vanessa
I loved this recipe! So good! I used margarine instead. I also skipped the paprika and the onions. Still yummy
Marjory
Thanks for sharing. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Neha
Hi do we grill or bake the fish in oven and for how much time?
Marjory
Bake in a 425 F oven for 10-12 minutes. Enjoy!
Judy
We have this every week. I give it 5 stars. Its my favourite fish recipe 💕💓💕
Renee
This recipe was way easy and super-yummy! I minced garlic along with the green onion and big hit. My husband loved it and requested it again. A friend of ours even called me a chef, which is so far from the truth it's hilarious. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Marjory
I'm thrilled that you and your family liked it! It's so colorful and easy...it's a favorite of mine!
Jeff
So delicious! I just realized I forgot the garlic, but it was still so tasty. Thanks for posting this
Marjory
Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you like it!
MA
Wow, so good. I'm a college student and made this, really easy. Do you think I can sub the Basa with Salmon?
Marjory
Hi! I'm so glad you like it. It sure wouldn't hurt to try! I find personally that I like stronger sauces and spices with salmon, like ginger and soy sauce.
Gordon
I love this recipe...I also like smoked bass..and morrisons do lovely fillets with out a hint of a bone...but back to your recipe...suuuperb...I did mix boiled eggs,quartered,salad,homemade potatoe salad..and coleslaw ..and the combination was so light and yet fulfilling...Thankyou..
Marjory
Thanks so much for your comments! Sounds delish!
Crystal
Very nice recipe! Previously, I had only ever used basa in battered fish and chips but I really enjoyed the light fresh flavour of this dish. I paired it with lemon and zucchini spaghetti which complemented it perfectly.
Marjory
Sounds like a perfect pairing!
Sarah
So delicious and easy! I just had this for dinner over a bed of greens & cherry tomatoes, with lemon wedges - and I felt so spoiled. So easy to make too...I didn't have parsley so I used Dill weed instead and it worked great. I'm looking forward to this again since the Basa fillet I bought was only $1.92!! How cheap is that? And I'm looking forward to throwing some minced garlic on top too - I can never get enough garlic..mmmm
Thank you!!!
Marjory
Thanks for commenting! I'm so glad you liked it...I'm going to try it with dill next time! Sounds delish. I've done it with cilantro which is also tasty!
Aggie
Great fish recipe...I'm always looking for new ones. This looks delicious (and easy!)
Lisa
The fish didn't cook. I had it on 425 degrees for the recommended time - centre was still raw. I kept putting it on an additional 5 minutes at a time - 15 minutes later, still raw in the centre. I ended up wrapping it in foil and finishing it that way. No idea why this didn't work for me, but it was awful.
Marjory
It's really hard to tell exactly what might have been the problem as the size of the fish, acutal oven temperature, etc. vary so much. I'm so sorry it didin't work out. 🙁
Lori Porter
Mine aswell. I ended up putting it in for an additional 12 mins and then it wasn't slimy and nothing but delicious!!!
Kirk
I don't mean to degrade any comments but make sure you preheat ovens before cooking anything. I found it to be best at 425 for 20 mins.
Kirk
Ruth
This recipe looks just right for me. I'm having a dinner party in a couple of days. I'm wondering about how to deal with frozen basa fillets. They are stuck together a bit. I've usually cooked frozen fish without thawing first. I'm thinking to just thaw these enough to get them separated. I'll just toss a crushed garlic clove into the butter as I melt it as I don't have powdered garlic. Do you think that would work?
Marjory
Yes! Sounds like a good plan. 🙂
Mary Ann Chacko
Made this for dinner just now. So delicious, easy and quick! Thank you!
Marjory
Your welcome. I'm so glad you liked it!:)
peter
This was delicious. A few cracks of black pepper really brings the flavour out and accents the lemon nicely.
Marjory
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for your tip!
Jay
AMAZING RECIPE. COMPLETELY BALANCED FLAVOURS. The dynamic. Oh so good.
Marjory
I'm so glad you like it!
Lois Ross
I loved this recipe. I used smoked paprika, fresh minced garlic, and added a few sliced mushrooms....awesome...and my husband, (who is a true connoisseur of fish) loved it...
we will definitely have this at our table again!!!
Marjory
Thanks so much for your feedback! Love the mushrooms!
Krystyna Butler
Just made this recipe and I have to say it's one of the best recipes I've tried. My husband and I really enjoyed it. Thank you
Marjory
Thanks so much for your feedback...made my day! I'm so glad you liked it!
Vikki
EXCELLENT - I cannot believe how good. AND you had a recipe for one serving -GREAT I did not have all fresh ingredients and used bottled lemon juice, jarred minced garlic, a mixture of both butter and margarine, chopped up some regular yellow onion and did not have any parsley. It still turned out GREAT ! ! ! Can only imagine how good it would be if I had fresh ingredients. I also cooked from frozen - 1/2 hour at 400 degrees. Came out perfect 🙂 Thank you Sooooooo much for having a recipe for one serving. When you live alone, you don't need recipes for 4 - 6 - 8 people.
Marjory
Thank so much for your comments. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it.
Christina
Just a question do we cover it with foil
While cooking the bassa filets in the oven
Marjory
Hi! No need to cover with foil. 🙂
Kristin
I make this recipe every time I make basa! It's so easy and compliments the flavor of the fish really well. I recommend chopping up a clove of garlic and adding that too.
Marjory
I'm so glad you enjoy it! Thanks for sharing the garlic tip!
Allan
This is a great recipe, but the web site itself sucks. Way to many pop ups and ads. Crashed my browser wice. and I have a faily powerful newer computer. Not and enjoyable experience Sorry
Marjory
I'm so glad you liked the recipe and am so sorry about your experience. We are continuing to try and improve the user experience and value your feedback.
Jane
I made this and added grated Reggiano Parmeigiano at the end and did a quick broil when it was almost done. Wow! Outstanding! Good enough for company!
Marjory
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Ljiljana Brdaric
A recipe i've gone back to again and again. Even my fussy 5 year old son loves it! I love that the fish isn't coated in batter - a clean taste, just fish and seasoning. Delish!!
Marjory
Yay! That's wonderful!
Merle webb
Finally that is my first time this the cooking . Wow it real taste sooo freaking so good !!! My roomatte and his children love it !! Thank u for tip this a post !!!
Marjory
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!!! Thanks for your feedback!
Susan
My mouth is singing with joy! Fabulous recipe! Thank you
Marjory
I'm so glad you liked it!
Eslinda
Hi Marjory, can you give more recipes on salmon?
Jane
I’m a newbie to your website. I loved the sound of the recipe and love Basa so I had to make it tonight. Learning from my mother, I can’t just make the recipe as is. Also, having kidney failure, diabetes and congestive heart failure, I have to watch my sodium intake so ... used more lemon juice, used Blue Menu Presidents Choice Lemon & Herbs (available at Real Canadian SuperStores) - no salt added and True Lemon (available on both sides of the 49th parallel). When I was diagnosed with kidney failure, I started to use lemon juice and True Lemon in place of salt in most dishes. Oh yes, I also added some freshly grated orange peel. We got a really tasty gravy which I’m keeping for another meal. Thank you for your recipe and website.
Marjory
Love your tips...will be adding some zested orange next time for sure! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Rosa Gomez
Of I use u salted butter will it have a different taste?
Rosa Gomez
I meant if I use unsalted butter
Marjory
Hi! You shouldn't notice much of a difference!
Heather
Wow! I loved this!! I ended up putting the Basa on the grill (with a BBQ grill sheet so it doesn't blacken) and added some fresh zucchinis and tomatoes and delish! My boyfriend loves this meal and I'll definitely make more of this dish.
Marjory
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
elizabeth feduk
Absolutely delicious! Most people I have asked do not know of basa and how tasty, healthy, inexpensive basa is!
Marjory
Thanks so much for your comment! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Linda Fitzpatrick
Hi have made this recipe so many times and can't fault absolutely delicious Tried it tonight with lime instead of lemon and was so suprised at the lovely flavour I have passed your recipe on to friends and they love it. Thank-you so much Linda from Scotland
Marjory
Thanks so much for your comment and tip about using lime! Made my day that I have a reader in Scotland. 🙂
Valeria
The recipe was awesome! I really enjoyed.. but I gave a question for the nutrition panel.. there is written “serving: 1g calories: 188 kcal”
Is that right?
Marjory Pilley
Hi! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for your comment. The nutritional estimate is for one serving, using the ingredient amounts listed.
Harry Ryan
I have made this on two occasions, exact receipt. It was wonderful both times. Basa has next to no taste and it tasted delicious. My in laws were fishers and very good at cooking fish. Iam pleased to say my wife loved this receipt.
Marjory Pilley
Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Works well with many white fish!
Joan Aldis
After reading all your comments of Basa I am going to buy some from our South African Woolworths tomorrow and try it. I have seen it but had no idea what it was like will give you feed back later.
Marjory Pilley
I'd love to know how you like it!
Peter van Driel
Great recipe, I minced fresh garlic and added it to the lemon butter, I still used the garlic power but maybe not as much. I also zested the lemon to top the fish. Turned out fantastic. This might be a Sunday classic in our house.
Elaine
The best ever!,,,You have to try it once and that’s all it takes to become your favourite!,
Sheila
I'm sheltering in place and my son brings groceries. Today he brought Basa which I had never heard of and so did a search for recipes. I found this one and, as luck would have it, even had green onions in my order. I made it exactly as described with a wee addition of white wine. It was so tasty and easy to prepare. I roasted grape tomatoes at the same time and served it with rice.
Marjory Pilley
Thanks so much for coming back to comment. Sounds like the perfect dinner! Stay safe!
Marnie
I have always feared cooking fish but decided to give it another go with this recipe .i didn't have lemon pepper on hand but used cracked pepper and some lime zest and topped with chopped cherry tomatoes and it wad AMAZING!!! Thank you thank you THANK YOU! The most simple yet delicious fish recipe. Will use again and again..
Emily
This was so delicious - thanks so much for sharing! I didn't have parsley or spring onion, but sliced a zucchini (courgette) and red onion and made a bed of both mixed up for the fish. I put the fish on top and baked it in the oven as instructed, with a sprinkle of lemon rind mixed in with the spices - oh, so beautiful! Served with oven baked potato wedges and broccoli for an amazing, cheap, healthy and delicious dinner. I will add some sliced fresh chilli next time. It will become a regular fixture on the menu - I can think of so many ways to mix it up! Thanks from Sydney, Australia. 🙂
George Burke
Thanks Marjory for a great recipe.
I bought 2 Basa fillets this evening on special 30% off but didn’t know how I would cook it so I went online & fortunately your’s was the first I found. I really liked what you had but was missing most of the ingredients so I made up my own version from your inspiration.
Man O Man is that good!!! I amazed myself.
I didn’t think I could cook like that.
Thanks for your inspiration all the way to Canberra, Australia.
Marjory Pilley
Thank you so much for sharing your inspiration. I apologize it would not fit due to the length of the comment. But, I can't tell you how much your comment made my day! And, your timing for cooking the vegetables as well was fantastic! Thank you so much for reading!
Gary
Surprised, We cook Basa all the time and were looking for a new recipe. We followed your recipe to the T, including fresh herbs from back yard. The combination of flavors was perfect and it is our new go-to fish meal. Next time it will be fish tacos and perhaps add shrimp as well. Thank you!
Dani
Thank you for sharing this recipe, it was so simple to make and it came out delicious! Didn't have parsley or lemon pepper on hand but I tossed some sliced lemon on top before baking. Perfect recipe for a quick weekday dinner, I will definitely be making this again!!
Anthony
This is my preferred way to cook fish besides just pan frying which I do for salmon.
A lot of recipes call for a coating of flour or egg or breadcrumbs but in my opinion it's totally unnecessary.
All you really need to do is pop it in a baking dish with a little oil (butter, margarine, olive oil, whatever you like), a squeeze of lemon and some herbs or spices of your choice and after about 12 minutes its done. Simplest possible meal.I like to serve with rice which also takes about 12 minutes to cook.
Claudine
We tried this recipe tonight and it turned out amazing. So simple and quick to make. Thank you for sharing!
Yael
Is it possible to do this with frozen fish? (As in, cook from frozen)
Marjory Pilley
Yes!!! It will take about 5-10 minutes longer depending upon the thickness of the fish. Use a meat thermometer the first time to get the timing just right.
Kim
Love the flavor.
Rema
Can I make this in the pan on stove top?
Marjory Pilley
You can! Try this: Heat oil/butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Pat fish dry. Season one side and place it face down in pan. Season the other side while the first side is cooking. Carefully turn over the fish and top with butter, lemon juice and fresh herbs. Cook for several more minutes or until cooked through.
Thomas
Delicious-thank you for sharing
Diane
I used a preheated cast iron pan, then followed everything else in your instructions. It was perfect after 12 minutes. Looked good and was delicious!
Khat
I just came back here to check the times and temps after not having used it or a while. Has the recipe changed? I remember it being much plainer before, just the lemon and butter and salt and pepper.
Marjory Pilley
Hello! The recipe has not changed since the day I posted it or offered it at our make ahead meal store. However, many people take the general process and adapt it with much success...lemon and butter being key ingredients.
Jill
Used 2 cold "pats" of butter on each fillet and fresh chopped garlic in addition to the garlic powder. Delicious! My husband requested that I put this on my rotation. Thanks for the great recipe!
bharath
Thanks a lot for the Great Recipe, unfortunately Basa Fish is not healthy to consume. Also, banned by US FDA for import. Can you suggest any other alternate fishes for the same recipe?
Marjory Pilley
Hi! This recipe is fantastic on any white fish!
Anita
looks delicious! Question please- the onions and parsley, does this go on the fish after its cooked? LIke top the fish with it or while its in the oven?
Thanks!
Marjory Pilley
You can do it either way! I usually add it before cooking and add a little more for garnish.