Rockfish has always been one of those go-to dishes when I want something special without too much fuss. The process to cook rockfish is really simple, I start by searing the fillets in a bit of olive oil until they turn a perfect golden brown. After that, they're paired with a smooth garlic and olive oil sauce that brings out the natural flavors of this mild, flaky fish.
Why I Like To Cook Rockfish
This rockfish dish is ready in under ten minutes, which makes it an easy option for a quick dinner, but it's elegant enough to serve for a date night or when guests are over.
What I love most about this recipe is how the fish stays tender, while the olive oil and garlic sauce add just the right amount of richness. The delicate taste of rockfish shines through, and it’s versatile enough that you can prepare it in so many ways, grilled, pan-seared, even air-fried.
This method works well with any mild white fish, but rockfish has that perfect balance of texture and flavor. It’s become a favorite in my kitchen, and it never fails to impress, whether it's a casual meal or something a bit more special.
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⭐Why You'll Love To Cook Rockfish
- Quick and Easy: This recipe is super simple and takes less than 10 minutes to whip up! It’s great for busy weeknights or when you need to impress guests without spending all day in the kitchen.
- Healthy Choice: Rockfish is a lean, high-protein fish packed with omega-3 fatty acids, making it a smart addition to your meals. Plus, the extra virgin olive oil and fresh ingredients in the sauce keep it light and nutritious.
- Versatile Pairing: You can serve this dish with all sorts of sides, like salads, steamed veggies, or grains like quinoa or rice.
- Elegant Presentation: The golden-brown crust of the seared fish, topped with vibrant green parsley garlic sauce, looks gourmet and is sure to impress your guests!
🧾Rockfish Ingredients
Here’s the breakdown of what’s in this rockfish recipe:
For Rockfish:
- Rockfish Fillet: I always look for fillets that are firm and have a mild, clean smell. If it smells too "fishy," I pass, it's usually not very fresh.
- Sea Salt: I love using sea salt to cook rockfish. It brings out the fish's natural flavors and helps draw out moisture for better texture.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil to prepare the rockfish. It gives the fish a nice sear and adds a nutty flavor.
For Garlic Sauce:
- Garlic Cloves, Parsley, and Chili Flakes: I combine garlic and parsley for a tasty garlic sauce. The garlic adds a strong, aromatic flavor, while the parsley brightens it up. I throw in some chili flakes for a spicy kick that balances the richness of the olive oil and garlic.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I use extra virgin olive oil for the sauce. It adds richness and helps blend the flavors of the garlic and chili flakes into a smooth texture.
- White Vinegar: I like to add white vinegar for a bit of acidity, which brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the olive oil. You can swap it for red wine vinegar or cider vinegar if you prefer!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Cook Rockfish
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Prepare the rockfish fillet by patting it dry with a paper towel, cut it in half, and season with salt.
2. Heat extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the rockfish fillets, press with a spatula, and cook for 2 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
3. In a small pan, warm 60 ml of olive oil on low heat. Sauté the minced garlic, parsley, and chili flakes for about 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Stir in the vinegar, remove from heat, and swirl the pan for 1 minute to thicken the sauce.
5. Drizzle the garlic sauce over the seared rockfish and serve warm with salad.
🍽 What to Serve with Rockfish
I love serving my rockfish dish right away while it's hot with a salad. It pairs perfectly with slices of ciabatta to soak up the delicious garlic sauce. Garlic bread is a flavorful side that pairs nicely with the fish and adds a savory touch.
I also enjoy it with crispy potato wedges or bubble potato pillows, they complement the rockfish dish nicely.
For sides, I go with Tomato Burrata Salad, or Lettuce Tomato Salad.
I like to pair this dish with white wine and finish off with Cocoa Mousse.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Dry the Fillet: Pat the rockfish fillet dry with paper towels before seasoning. This helps get a nice sear and keeps it from steaming in the pan.
Season Generously: Don’t be afraid to add plenty of sea salt! It really brings out the fish's natural flavors. You can also try adding black pepper or lemon zest for extra taste.
Preheat the Pan: Make sure the pan and oil are hot before adding the fish. A hot pan helps create a good sear and keeps it from sticking. To check, drop a bit of water in; it should sizzle and evaporate right away.
Press the Fillet: When placing it in the pan, gently press it down with a spatula for a few seconds. This helps it cook evenly and gives you crispy skin.
Watch the Cooking Time: Fish cooks quickly! For rockfish, aim for about 2-3 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. It should be golden brown and flake easily with a fork when it’s done.
Make the Garlic Sauce Carefully: Sauté the minced garlic over low heat so it doesn’t burn. Keep a close eye on it, because garlic can go from perfect to burnt in just seconds!
❓Commonly Asked Questions
Rockfish refers to several species of fish from the genus Sebastes, mainly found in the Pacific Ocean along North America's coast. They live in rocky areas and come in colors like red, orange, and yellow. Pacific rockfish, also called Alaskan rockfish, rock cod, or red snapper. Known for their mild flavor and firm, flaky white flesh, rockfish are popular for grilling, baking, and frying, and are also nutritious, providing protein and omega-3 fatty acids.
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
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📖 Recipe
Recipe For Rockfish
Ingredients
- 1 Rockfish fillet
- ¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For Garlic Sauce:
- 3 Garlic Cloves
- Parsley
- 60 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Chilli Flakes
- 1&½ tbsp White Vinegar
Instructions
- Pat rockfish fillet dry with a paper towel, cut it in half, and season with sea salt.
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Place the fillets in the pan, press the fillets with a spatula, and cook the fillets for 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.
- In a small pan, heat 60 ml of extra virgin olive oil over low heat.
- Add minced garlic, parsley, and chili flakes, and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Stir in white vinegar, then take the pan off the heat and gently swirl it in circles for about 1 minute to thicken the sauce.
- Drizzle the garlic sauce over the seared rockfish and serve warm with salad.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This rockfish recipe is a great way to showcase the delicate flavor of this underappreciated fish.