Foil Packet Sea Bass with Oven-Dried Tomatoes: A Simple, Elegant Dinner in 30 Minutes!

Impress your family or guests with this easy Foil Packet Sea Bass recipe! Featuring oven-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme, and buttery lemon slices, this dish is elegant, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes.

Hey there, friends! If you’re looking for a dinner recipe that’s both easy and impressive, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m sharing my go-to Foil Packet Sea Bass with Oven-Dried Tomatoes.

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something quick, or for those special occasions when you want to wow your guests. The best part? It’s all cooked in foil packets, so cleanup is a breeze. Let’s get started!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & Easy: Ready in 30 minutes—perfect for busy nights.
Elegant & Flavorful: The combination of sea bass, oven-dried tomatoes, and fresh thyme is restaurant-worthy.
Mess-Free: Everything cooks in a foil packet, so you can skip the dishes.
Versatile: Works with any white fish fillet if sea bass isn’t available.

Prep time: 5 minutes (+ 10 minutes for oven-roasted tomatoes)
Cook time: 10 minutes (+ 2 hours for oven-roasted tomatoes)
Serves: 4

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish (serves 4):

4 sea bass fillets (6 oz. each)
4 oven-dried tomato slices (see instructions below)
4 fresh or preserved lemon slices, cut in half
2 tablespoon fresh thyme
4 tablespoon unsalted butter
Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

How to Make Oven-Dried Tomatoes

If you don’t have oven-dried tomatoes on hand, here’s how to make them:

Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C).
Slice 2-3 large tomatoes into ¼-inch thick slices.
Place the slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake for 2-3 hours, or until the tomatoes are semi-dried and slightly caramelized. Let cool before using.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This recipe is so simple, you’ll have it memorized after one try!

Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare the Foil Packets:
- Tear off 4 large sheets of aluminum foil (about 12x18 inches each).
- Place a sea bass fillet in the center of each sheet.
- Top each fillet with 1 oven-dried tomato slice, 2 lemon halves, and ½ tablespoon of fresh thyme.
- Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to each packet.
Season & Seal:
- Sprinkle each fillet with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
- Fold the foil over the fish and crimp the edges to create a sealed packet. Make sure it’s tightly sealed to lock in the flavors.
Bake:
- Place the foil packets on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Serve & Enjoy:
- Carefully open the packets (watch out for the steam!) and transfer the fish to plates.
- Garnish with extra fresh thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.

Tips for Success

Fish Substitutions: No sea bass? No problem! This recipe works great with other white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia.
Fresh vs. Preserved Lemons: Fresh lemon slices are bright and tangy, while preserved lemons add a deeper, more complex flavor. Use what you have on hand!
Make It Ahead: Assemble the foil packets ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. Perfect for meal prep or entertaining!

Why This Recipe Works for Entertaining

As someone who loves hosting dinner parties, I can’t tell you how many times this recipe has saved the day. It’s elegant enough to impress your guests but easy enough to let you enjoy the party too. Plus, the individual foil packets make serving a breeze—just place them directly on the table for a fun, interactive dining experience.

Final Thoughts

This Foil Packet Sea Bass with Oven-Dried Tomatoes is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again. It’s simple, flavorful, and versatile—everything a home cook could ask for. Whether you’re cooking for your family or hosting a dinner party, this dish is sure to be a hit.

Give it a try and let me know what you think!

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