Print

Best Methods to Cooking Rockfish 🐟

A perfectly cooked rockfish fillet with lemon butter sauce and fresh herbs.

Rockfish is a mild, flaky white fish that absorbs flavors beautifully. Whether you pan-sear, bake, or grill it, this versatile fish makes for a light, healthy, and protein-packed meal.

Ingredients

Scale

πŸ”₯ Ingredients (Serves 4)

For the Rockfish Base:

  • 4 rockfish fillets (6 oz each)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • Β½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Β½ tsp paprika or Old Bay seasoning
  • 1 lemon, sliced

Instructions

1️⃣ Pan-Seared Rockfish (Crispy & Golden)

  1. Pat fillets dry to remove excess moisture (ensures crispiness).
  2. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
  3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  4. Place fillets skin-side down and sear for 3–4 minutes until golden brown.
  5. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes, then finish with lemon juice and butter.

πŸ”₯ Pro Tip: Use a cast-iron skillet for the best crust and even cooking!

2️⃣ Oven-Baked Rockfish (Tender & Juicy)

  1. Preheat oven to 400Β°F (200Β°C).
  2. Place fillets on a lined baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
  3. Season with garlic, paprika, and fresh herbs.
  4. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

πŸ”₯ Pro Tip: For extra juiciness, bake in foil packets with butter, lemon, and garlic!

3️⃣ Grilled Rockfish (Smoky & Charred)

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high (375Β°F).
  2. Brush fillets with olive oil and season generously.
  3. Grill skin-side down for 4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
  4. Serve with grilled lemon slices for extra smokiness.

πŸ”₯ Pro Tip: Use a grill basket to prevent delicate fillets from sticking!

4️⃣ Fried Rockfish (Crispy & Crunchy)

  1. In a bowl, mix 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with Β½ tsp salt & paprika.
  2. Dredge fillets in flour, dip in beaten egg, then coat with panko.
  3. Heat Β½ inch of oil in a pan over medium heat.
  4. Fry fillets for 3 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

πŸ”₯ Pro Tip: For extra crunch, double-coat fillets in panko before frying!

Nutrition