Lemon-Herb Grilled Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade

Lemon-Herb Grilled Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade

Mia

This elegant yet simple Mediterranean dinner showcases the delicate flavor of sea bass, enhanced with bright lemon and aromatic fresh herbs. The fish is grilled to perfection, developing a lightly crispy exterior while remaining moist and flaky inside. Topped with a robust olive tapenade made from briny Kalamata olives, capers, and garlic, this dish embodies the heart-healthy principles of Mediterranean cuisine.

Sea bass is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support cardiovascular health and reduce inflammation. The olive tapenade not only adds bold, savory flavor but also provides healthy monounsaturated fats from olives and extra virgin olive oil. Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, and oregano bring antioxidants and authentic Mediterranean character to the dish.

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive but don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. The tapenade can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator, making the actual dinner preparation even quicker. Serve alongside roasted vegetables, a simple arugula salad, or crusty whole-grain bread to complete your Mediterranean feast.

Whether you're following the Mediterranean diet for health reasons or simply love the vibrant flavors of coastal cuisine, this sea bass dish delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. The combination of fresh fish, quality olive oil, and bold Mediterranean flavors creates a meal that's both nourishing and deeply satisfying.

Nutrition

20 minutes
None servings
320 calories
Fat 18.00g
Carbs 4.00g
Protein 35.00g

Ingredients

4 filletssea bass fillets, about 6 oz each, skin-on
4 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1 wholelemon, zested and juiced
1 tbspfresh thyme, chopped
1 tbspfresh oregano, chopped
3 clovesgarlic cloves, minced, divided
1 tspsalt
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
1 cupkalamata olives, pitted
2 tbspcapers, drained
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped
1 tspred wine vinegar
4 wedgeslemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Equipment

Food processor
measuring spoons
measuring cups
paper towels
small mixing bowl
zester or microplane
basting brush
instant-read thermometer
grill or grill pan
fish spatula

80/20 Diet

This recipe strongly aligns with the 80/20 principle, with over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods: fresh fish, olive oil, olives, fresh herbs, and lemon. The minimal processing and emphasis on anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich ingredients make this a solidly nutritious choice for the 'clean eating' 80% portion.

Ancestral Diet

This sea bass recipe follows Ancestral Diet principles with wild-caught fish, olive oil, olives, and fresh herbs—all whole, unprocessed ingredients available to our ancestors. It contains no grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, or processed foods, focusing on nutrient-dense protein and natural fats.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This recipe is highly anti-inflammatory, featuring omega-3-rich sea bass, extra virgin olive oil with its oleocanthal compounds, and anti-inflammatory herbs like oregano and thyme. The absence of processed ingredients, refined sugars, and inflammatory oils makes it ideal for reducing systemic inflammation while providing antioxidants from fresh herbs and olives.

Atkins Diet

This sea bass recipe is Atkins-approved with approximately 2-3g net carbs per serving, featuring high-quality protein from fish and healthy fats from olive oil and olives. It contains no grains, sugar, or starchy vegetables, making it suitable for all Atkins phases including Induction.

Bulletproof Diet

This recipe aligns with Bulletproof Diet principles featuring wild-caught, low-toxin fish protein, high-quality olive oil, and fresh herbs without any grains, dairy, legumes, or processed ingredients. The low-carb, moderate-protein, high-fat profile supports Bulletproof macros while minimizing exposure to toxins.

Clean Eating

This recipe exemplifies clean eating with its whole, unprocessed ingredients: fresh sea bass, extra virgin olive oil, whole olives, fresh herbs, and lemon—all recognizable in their natural form. There are no refined sugars, artificial ingredients, preservatives, or processed components, just simple Mediterranean ingredients prepared with minimal processing.

DASH Diet

This recipe aligns well with DASH Diet principles by featuring lean fish protein, heart-healthy olive oil, and abundant fresh herbs for flavor instead of excessive salt. The omega-3-rich sea bass and potassium-containing ingredients support cardiovascular health, though capers should be rinsed to reduce sodium content.

Diabetic Diet

This sea bass recipe is excellent for diabetic diets with virtually zero carbohydrates and a low glycemic impact. The high-quality protein and healthy fats from fish and olive oil promote stable blood sugar levels without causing glucose spikes, while the omega-3s support cardiovascular health important for diabetes management.

Evolutionary Diet

This recipe is Evolutionary Diet-compliant, featuring wild-caught sea bass, olive oil, olives, fresh herbs, and lemon—all whole foods that would have been available through fishing and gathering. It excludes all grains, legumes, dairy, and processed ingredients while emphasizing nutrient density and anti-inflammatory properties.

Flexitarian Diet

This sea bass recipe fits the Flexitarian approach by featuring fish as a lean, sustainable protein source alongside plant-based ingredients like olives, capers, and fresh herbs. The whole-food, Mediterranean-inspired preparation emphasizes minimally processed ingredients while providing omega-3 fatty acids and heart-healthy fats.

Gluten-Free Diet

This sea bass recipe is naturally gluten-free, containing only fish, fresh herbs, olive oil, olives, capers, and lemon—all naturally gluten-free whole foods with no grains, wheat, or gluten-containing ingredients whatsoever.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This recipe is exceptionally heart-healthy, featuring omega-3-rich sea bass that reduces inflammation and supports cardiovascular function, extra virgin olive oil with monounsaturated fats, and fresh herbs with antioxidants. The absence of saturated fats, trans fats, and processed ingredients makes it ideal for cardiovascular protection, though capers and olives should be used moderately for sodium control.

High-Protein Diet

This recipe is excellent for high-protein diets, with each 6-ounce sea bass fillet providing approximately 30-35 grams of high-quality, complete protein. The lean fish is complemented by healthy fats from olive oil while keeping carbohydrates minimal, making protein the star component of the dish.

Hunter-Gatherer Diet

This sea bass recipe aligns with Hunter-Gatherer principles, featuring fish that could be caught, olives that could be gathered, and herbs that could be foraged—all without grains, legumes, dairy, or processed ingredients. The simple preparation using natural ingredients reflects how our ancestors would have prepared fresh-caught fish.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense sea bass dish is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and healthy fats that promote satiety and stable blood sugar levels. The whole food ingredients maximize nutritional value without processed components, helping practitioners feel satisfied throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This sea bass recipe supports Intuitive Eating principles by offering a satisfying, flavorful meal made with whole foods that provide both pleasure and nourishment. The Mediterranean flavors and quality ingredients create an enjoyable eating experience without restriction-based language or guilt, honoring both taste preferences and gentle nutrition.

Ketogenic Diet

This sea bass recipe is excellent for keto with virtually zero carbs from the fish and minimal carbs from herbs and lemon. The dish is high in healthy fats from olive oil and olives in the tapenade, while providing quality protein from the fish, making it ideal for maintaining ketosis with an estimated 2-3g net carbs per serving.

Low-Carb Diet

With virtually zero carbohydrates from the sea bass and only minimal carbs from fresh herbs, lemon, and olives, this recipe easily stays under 5g net carbs per serving. The emphasis on protein and healthy fats from fish and olive oil makes it perfect for low-carb eating plans.

Low-Sodium Diet

This recipe can be adapted for low-sodium diets by using fresh fish, limiting added salt, and rinsing the capers and olives to remove excess sodium. The abundant fresh herbs, lemon juice, and garlic provide bold flavor without relying on salt, though portion control of the tapenade is important due to the naturally salty olives and capers.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe follows Mayo Clinic Diet principles with lean fish protein, healthy fats from olive oil in moderate amounts, and fresh herbs for flavor without processed ingredients or added sugars. The nutrient-dense sea bass and whole-food preparation support healthy weight management and cardiovascular health.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish, featuring wild-caught sea bass as the lean protein, extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat source, and a robust olive tapenade made with Kalamata olives and capers. The emphasis on fresh herbs (thyme, oregano, parsley), lemon, and minimal processing perfectly embodies Mediterranean dietary principles while providing heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats.

MIND Diet

This recipe aligns with MIND Diet principles by featuring brain-healthy fatty fish rich in omega-3s, extra virgin olive oil as the primary fat, and fresh herbs with neuroprotective properties. The emphasis on whole foods without processed ingredients or excessive saturated fats supports cognitive health and brain function.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is ideal for mindful eating with its diverse textures (crispy fish skin, tender flesh, chunky tapenade), vibrant colors, aromatic fresh herbs, and bright citrus notes that engage multiple senses. The whole-food ingredients and simple preparation encourage slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation of each component.

Nordic Diet

While Mediterranean in origin, this recipe shares Nordic Diet principles with its emphasis on fatty fish (sea bass), simple preparations highlighting natural flavors, and the use of rapeseed/canola oil (which could substitute for olive oil). The focus on whole foods and traditional cooking methods aligns with Nordic dietary philosophy.

Paleo Diet

Perfectly Paleo-compliant, this recipe features wild-caught fish, fresh herbs, and healthy fats from olive oil and olives—all whole, unprocessed ingredients that would have been available to hunter-gatherers. It contains no grains, legumes, dairy, or processed ingredients, focusing instead on nutrient-dense protein and natural fats.

Paleolithic Diet

This recipe is fully Paleolithic-compliant with wild-caught fish, olive oil, olives, fresh herbs, and lemon—all ingredients that could have been fished or gathered by pre-agricultural humans. It contains no grains, legumes, dairy, refined sugars, or processed foods, focusing on whole, unprocessed ingredients.

Pegan Diet

This sea bass recipe fits Pegan Diet principles with wild-caught fish as a clean protein source, healthy fats from olive oil and olives, and fresh herbs without any dairy, gluten, legumes, or processed ingredients. While fish isn't the primary vegetable focus typical of Pegan meals, it can be served alongside abundant low-glycemic vegetables to meet the 75% plant requirement.

Primal Blueprint

This sea bass recipe perfectly fits Primal Blueprint guidelines with wild-caught fish as quality protein, olive oil and olives as healthy fats, and fresh herbs without any grains, legumes, refined sugars, or industrial oils. The nutrient-dense, whole-food preparation supports metabolic health and provides anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

Primal Diet

This recipe is fully Primal-compliant with wild-caught fish, olive oil, olives, fresh herbs, and lemon—all whole, unprocessed foods without grains, legumes, refined sugars, or processed ingredients. The emphasis on quality fats and protein aligns perfectly with Primal principles for metabolic health and reduced inflammation.

South Beach Diet

Perfect for all phases of South Beach Diet, this recipe emphasizes lean fish protein, healthy monounsaturated fats from olive oil and olives, and fresh herbs without any refined carbohydrates, added sugars, or processed ingredients. The omega-3-rich sea bass and Mediterranean flavors align perfectly with the diet's heart-healthy principles.

Weight Watchers

This recipe follows Weight Watchers principles with lean fish protein, minimal added fats (olive oil used in moderation), and no processed ingredients or refined carbohydrates. The nutrient-dense sea bass and vegetable-based tapenade create a satisfying, flavorful meal that supports weight management goals.

Whole30

This recipe is fully Whole30-compliant, featuring wild-caught fish, fresh herbs, lemon, and compliant fats from olive oil and olives with no added sugars, grains, legumes, dairy, or processed ingredients. The simple, whole-food preparation highlights natural flavors while meeting all Whole30 requirements.

Wild Diet

This sea bass recipe perfectly embodies Wild Diet principles with wild-caught fish, unprocessed olive oil, whole olives, and fresh herbs—all ingredients that could theoretically be fished or gathered in nature. It contains no refined sugars, grains, processed foods, or industrial oils, focusing entirely on nutrient-dense whole foods.

Zone Diet

This sea bass dish can fit Zone Diet macros with its lean protein from fish, healthy fats from olive oil and olives, and minimal low-glycemic carbohydrates from herbs and lemon. When paired with appropriate portions of non-starchy vegetables, it helps maintain the 40-30-30 ratio while controlling insulin response.

Instructions

1

Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, about 400°F.

5 min
2

Make the olive tapenade by combining the pitted Kalamata olives, capers, 2 minced garlic cloves, chopped parsley, red wine vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped but not completely smooth, about 8-10 pulses. Set aside.

3 min
3

Pat the sea bass fillets dry with paper towels. This helps achieve a better sear and prevents sticking.

1 min
4

In a small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, chopped thyme, chopped oregano, remaining 1 minced garlic clove, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create the marinade.

2 min
5

Brush both sides of each sea bass fillet generously with the lemon-herb marinade, making sure to coat evenly.

1 min
6
5 min

Place the sea bass fillets on the preheated grill skin-side down. Cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crispy and the fish releases easily from the grill.

7
4 min

Carefully flip the fillets using a fish spatula and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes on the other side until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

8

Remove the sea bass from the grill and transfer to serving plates. Immediately top each fillet with a generous spoonful of the olive tapenade.

1 min
9

Garnish with fresh lemon wedges and serve immediately while hot. Enjoy with your favorite Mediterranean sides.

Frequently Asked Questions