Want a fish that’s fast to cook, tasty, and goes with almost anything? Try basa fish!
It’s soft, mild, and super easy to work with. You can bake it, fry it, toss it in a curry, or even put it in tacos. It doesn’t take much time, and you don’t need fancy skills to make it good.
Perfect for quick weeknight meals or relaxed family dinners when you want something delicious without the fuss.
You will find easy basa recipes with clear steps, prep times, and cooking instructions, no guessing, just simple, yummy food that actually works.
Ready to cook something fast and flavorful? Let’s jump in!
Why Choose Basa Fish?
Basa is a smart choice for your kitchen and your health. This lean white fish packs plenty of protein while staying low in calories, perfect for anyone watching their waistline without sacrificing nutrition.
Taste-wise, it’s milder and more tender than cod or haddock, with a delicate texture that won’t overpower your seasonings. Think of it as the friendly fish that gets along with everything.
The real magic? Basa loves every cooking method you throw at it. Bake it with herbs, grill it with spices, fry it crispy, or steam it gently, it shines every time.
Pan-Fried & Grilled Basa Fish Recipes
These recipes are all about crisp edges, soft centers, and big flavor in very little time. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or something quick on busy days.
1. Lemon-Butter Pan-Fried Basa
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional)
How to Make It
Pat the fish dry, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and a little lemon zest. Melt butter in a pan on medium heat.
Add the fish and cook for 4–5 minutes on each side until golden and flaky.
Then, serve with mashed potatoes or a green salad.
2. Grilled Garlic Herb Basa
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 12 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like oregano or mixed herbs)
- Juice of half a lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It
Mix chopped garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt. Rub this all over the basa fillets.
Then, just let them sit for about 5 minutes while your grill heats up. Place on the hot grill and cook for 5–6 minutes on each side.
Don’t move them too much—they’ll get those nice grill marks. Tastes great with roasted vegetables or couscous.
3. Spicy Kajun Basa Fillets
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 8 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Lemon wedges for serving
How to Make It
Sprinkle Cajun seasoning on both sides of the fillets.
Use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and a bit of chilli if you like it spicy. Heat a pan with a bit of oil and cook the fillets for about 4 minutes per side.
Serve hot with rice, salad, or even inside a sandwich.
4. Sweet Dijon Basa Fillets
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
How to Make It
In a small bowl, mix Dijon mustard, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread the sauce evenly on both sides of the fish.
Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the fillets and cook for about 5 minutes per side, until the sauce caramelizes slightly and the fish flakes easily.
Serve this sweet and tangy Basa with mashed potatoes, green beans, or buttered peas.
5. Lemon and Garlic Basa Fish
Preparation Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper
- A pinch of dried parsley or fresh if available
How to Make It
Season the fish with salt and pepper. Melt butter in a pan and add minced garlic. Let it sizzle for a few seconds without burning. Place the fish in the pan and cook over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side.
Pour in the lemon juice at the end and let it simmer for a minute. This simple dish pairs well with plain white rice, steamed broccoli, or a fresh cucumber salad.
Baked Basa Delights
These oven-baked recipes are simple, flavorful, and perfect for hands-off cooking. Just prep, bake, and enjoy.
6. Oven-Baked Basa Fish Fillets
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 18 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon slices for topping
How to Make It
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the fillets on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle olive oil over the top. Sprinkle paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper evenly on both sides.
Add lemon slices on top for extra flavor. Bake for 18 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Serve it with roasted vegetables or a simple rice pilaf.
7. Parmesan-Crusted Basa
Preparation Time: 8 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Mix parmesan, breadcrumbs, basil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Brush the fillets lightly with olive oil, then press the cheese mixture onto the top of each fillet. Place them on a lined baking tray and bake for 18–20 minutes until the top is golden and crispy.
Serve with garlic mashed potatoes or a garden salad.
8. Creamy Garlic Baked Basa
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 basa fillets
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper
How to Make It
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). In a small saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the garlic until soft. Stir in cream, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 1–2 minutes. Place the fillets in a baking dish and pour the sauce over them.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through. Serve with buttered rice or pasta and a few steamed veggies on the side.
9. Baked Basa Fish Fillets
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 basa fillets
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon chilli flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
How to Make It
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a baking tray or dish. Rub olive oil over the fillets and sprinkle with onion powder, salt, pepper, and chilli flakes if using.
Bake for 15 minutes or until the fish is white and flakes easily. Serve with quinoa, grilled zucchini, or a scoop of creamy potato salad for a full meal.
10. Basa Fish Fillets with Cream Sauce (Tuscan Style)
Preparation Time: 12 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup cream
- ½ cup spinach (chopped)
- ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (sliced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make It
Melt butter in a pan and sauté garlic for a minute. Stir in cream, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 2–3 minutes. Place Basa fillets in a baking dish and pour the sauce over the top. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–20 minutes.
Lastly, serve this rich and creamy dish with pasta, garlic bread, or warm cooked rice.
11. Italian Style Basa Fillet with Lemon and Olives
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup black olives (sliced)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper
How to Make It
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the fillets in a baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil, then top with olives, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Bake for about 15 minutes or until the fish is flaky and cooked through. Serve with couscous, grilled asparagus, or a fresh tomato salad.
Asian-Inspired Curries & Soups
These recipes are warm, comforting, and filled with flavor. They’re great for cozy dinners and taste even better with simple sides like rice or noodles.
12. Thai Green Curry with Basa
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Basa fillets (cut into chunks)
- 1 tablespoon green curry paste
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon fish sauce
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (bell pepper, green beans, carrots)
- 1 tablespoon oil
How to Make It
Heat oil in a pan and stir in the green curry paste for 1 minute. Add coconut milk and fish sauce, then bring it to a simmer.
Add chopped vegetables and let them cook for 5 minutes. Add the Basa chunks and cook for 8–10 minutes until the fish is soft and flaky.
Serve with warm jasmine rice or rice noodles for a filling and flavorful meal.
13. Indian-Style Basa Masala Curry
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 Basa fillets (cut into large pieces)
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tomatoes (blended or finely chopped)
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Salt to taste
How to Make It
Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin and chopped onions, and cook until golden. Stir in ginger garlic paste, then add tomatoes, turmeric, and salt.
Let the masala cook down into a thick sauce, then add garam masala and the fish pieces. Cook on low for 10–12 minutes.
Enjoy this curry with basmati rice or hot chapati for a tasty Indian-style meal.
14. Vietnamese Tomato Basa Stew
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets (cut into pieces)
- 2 tomatoes (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt and pepper
How to Make It
Heat oil in a pan and sauté garlic until golden. Add chopped tomatoes, fish sauce, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes break down and form a sauce.
Add the fish and simmer for 10 minutes until the fish is tender and soaked in the tomato base.
Serve this sweet and savory dish with steamed rice and a few slices of cucumber on the side.
15. Coconut Basa Soup
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 basa fillets (cut into small chunks)
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 stalk lemongrass (cut and bruised)
- 3–4 slices of fresh ginger
- 1–2 Thai chilies (optional)
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
How to Make It
In a pot, bring coconut milk to a gentle boil. Add lemongrass, ginger, chilies, and mushrooms. Let it simmer for 8–10 minutes. Add the basa chunks and cook for 7–8 minutes more.
Stir in fish sauce and lime juice before turning off the heat. This soup is warm, creamy, and a little spicy. It goes well with steamed jasmine rice or can be eaten on its own as a light main course.
Tips & Tricks to Follow While Preparing the Base Every Time
Basa is forgiving, but a few simple tricks will take your cooking from good to great:
- Pat Dry First: Remove excess moisture so the fish browns nicely instead of steaming
- Season Lightly: Salt, pepper, and herbs are usually all you need for this mild fish
- Cook Fast: Basa is done in under 10 minutes – overcooking makes it mushy
- Check with a Fork: When it flakes easily, it’s ready to eat
- Keep It Moist: Use foil or parchment when baking, and limit acidic marinades to 15 minutes max
Follow these basics, and you will serve up tender, flaky basa that tastes like it came from a restaurant kitchen!
That’s a Wrap
Basa fish is one of those things that makes cooking feel easy. You don’t need fancy tools or a long list of ingredients to make it taste good.
With these recipes, you have plenty of ways to try something new. No matter what you pick, the steps are simple, and the results are worth it.
So go ahead and give one a try this week!
And if you like how it turns out, don’t forget to share it with someone or try another one next time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Pan-Fry Frozen Basa?
No, it should be fully thawed first to cook evenly and avoid sogginess.
Is Basa a Sustainable Choice?
Sometimes. Look for trusted labels or certifications on the package to be sure.
Can I Meal Prep with Basa?
Yes, you can cook it ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container.