Lemony Baked Basa Fillets

Name: Lemony Baked Basa Fillets
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 16 ounces basa fish fillets or other mild white fish; 8 teaspoons butter (melted); 4 Tablespoons lemon juice; 1/4 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/8 teaspoon paprika; 1/4 cup green onions (sliced thin); 2 Tablespoons parsley (chopped); Lemon wedges (optional)

Lemony Baked Basa Fillets - Quick and Easy

4.83 from 45 votes

By Marjory Pilley Updated Jul 29, 2024 · Published Mar 18, 2013

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Light and lemony baked basa fillets are delicious and pretty with this quick and easy recipe, which is ready in 25 minutes.

Two lemon baked basa fillets topped with lemon slices on a white plate that is scattered with parsley.

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This healthy recipe works well with many types of white 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—it's not exotic or hard to find. It has a moist, lightly firm texture and a very mild fish flavor, which is why it's so popular. It easily soaks up the lemon, butter, and spices in this recipe.

I partnered with Darlene Hardister-Heumann, author of The Southern Sass Cookbook: It's All in the Sass!, and offered it at our meal assembly stores. It was a hit!

It's such a tried-and-true combination that I have yet to find a fish it doesn't pair well with. Be sure to check out our baked corvina recipe and lemon pepper tilapia, which share the same ingredients.

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Ingredient Notes
Directions with Pictures
Top Tips
What to Serve with Basa Fillets
Recipe FAQs
More Easy Fish Recipes
📋 Recipe

Ingredient Notes

Here's what you'll need to make this easy baked basa fillet recipe:

Two basa fillets, a lemon, two green onion, tabs of butter, parsley, and garlic powder, lemon pepper seasoning, and paprika on a cutting board.

Of special note:

Basa fish fillets - Other mild white fish with a taste and texture similar to basa are catfish, flounder, or haddock.
Lemon-pepper seasoning gives basa fish a zesty lemon flavor. If you enjoy this flavor profile, you won't regret keeping this spice blend on hand. Use it to quickly brighten the flavor of everything from zucchini to shrimp.
Herbs and lemon - This dish's fresh feel is owed to chopped green onions, parsley, and, of course, freshly squeezed lemon. Leave them off in a pinch, and add extra as garnish when company is coming.

If you're in the mood for something with a little heat, you might also love cajun catfish. This fish happens to be a cousin to basa!

The recipe card below includes ingredient amounts, step-by-step instructions, and nutritional information.

Directions with Pictures

Here's how to cook basa fillets in the oven:

Two uncooked basa fish fillets in a glass baking dish.

Step 1

Pat fish fillets dry and place them in a baking dish coated with cooking spray or a rimmed sheet pan.

Two uncooked basa fillets topped with spices, green onion, and chopped parsley, in a glass baking dish.

Step 2

Pour lemon juice and melted butter over the fish. Next, sprinkle garlic powder, lemon pepper seasoning, paprika, chopped parsley, and green onion over the fish.

Two cooked lemon baked basa fillets in a glass baking dish.

Step 3

Bake uncovered at 425°F for 10-12 minutes or until the basa flakes with a fork. The exact timing will vary based on the thickness of the fillets.

Top Tips

For better control, use your fingers to sprinkle the seasoning. This method allows you to spread the seasoning more uniformly over the fish's surface.
Cook fish to an internal temperature of 145°F. The flesh will be opaque and separate easily with a fork. Use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature at the thickest part of the fish.

Oven-baked lemon baked basa fish fillet on a white plate with coleslaw and a lemon wedge.

What to Serve with Basa Fillets

I like to pair lemony baked basa with simple sides, such as Southern vinegar coleslaw and mashed cauliflower from frozen. These sides take minutes to make and keep the meal low-carb.

Recipe FAQs

How do you cook basa fillets from frozen?

When cooking basa fish from frozen, you generally need to add about 5-10 minutes to the usual cooking time compared to when it's fresh. So, if you're baking the fish at 425°F and it usually takes 10-12 minutes from fresh, you should aim for about 15-20 minutes from frozen.

Why is basa fish mushy?

Basa fish can become mushy if it is overcooked or thawed improperly, such as on the counter or under running water. Cook basa to an internal temperature of 145°F and defrost in the refrigerator or cook from frozen. Quick cooking methods, such as broiling or grilling, also help maintain the firm texture.

How do you store leftover basa?

Store leftover basa in an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 2 months. To reheat, use a gentle method like microwaving on low power or warming in the oven at 275°F until heated through to preserve its texture.

Two basa fillets topped with spices, fresh parsley, and green onion on an oblong platter with two lemon wedges.

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📋 Recipe

Light and lemony baked basa fillets are delicious and pretty with this quick and easy recipe, which is ready in 25 minutes.

4.83 from 45 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Total Time: 25

Servings: servings

Author: Marjory Pilley