Description
A healthy and easy-to-make baked sheepshead fish recipe with lemon and fresh herbs, perfect for weeknights. It delivers moist, flaky fish with a citrusy aroma, making it a wholesome and delicious meal for the family.
Ingredients
- 2 fillets sheepshead, about 6 oz (170g) each (snapper or cod can be substituted)
- 1.5 medium lemons
- 2 Tbsp (30g) fresh parsley, chopped (flat-leaf or curly)
- 1 Tbsp (15g) fresh dill, chopped (or 0.5 tsp dried dill)
- 2 Tbsp (30ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 cloves (5g) garlic, minced (about 1 tsp)
- Sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- A pinch smoked paprika (optional)
- A dash red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking dish or large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Fish: Gently pat the sheepshead fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with sea salt and black pepper.
- Make Herb-Lemon Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh dill, and the juice from 0.5 lemon.
- Season Fish: Place the seasoned fish fillets on the lined baking sheet. Drizzle the herb-lemon mixture evenly over each fillet.
- Add Lemon Slices: Arrange thin lemon slices from the remaining 0.5 lemon over the fish for extra citrus flavor and visual appeal.
- Bake Fish: Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork. Adjust baking time for thicker fillets, being careful not to overcook.
- Rest & Serve: Let the baked sheepshead fish rest for 2 minutes before serving for optimal juiciness. Optionally cover loosely with foil during this rest.
Notes
For quicker prep, use pre-minced garlic. To boost health, bake fish over a bed of fresh spinach or thin-sliced zucchini. If sheepshead is unavailable, snapper or cod can be used. Avoid overcooking fish; add extra minutes for thicker fillets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 14 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approx 6 oz or 170g)
- Calories: 250 calories
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg