PARTNER POST: May 26 is National Pinot Grigio Day. We’re celebrating with Cavit Wines by sharing refreshing spring and summer recipes that pair perfectly with Pinot Grigio.
Celebrate another day with a piece of flakey white fish seasoned with lemon and Old Bay and served with a crisp glass of white wine.
Who’s as excited as I am for tomorrow’s holiday?! Cavit Collection, hailing from Northern Italy, first introduced its Pinot Grigio to the United States in 1977, and as a national push to increase awareness of the variety, decided to introduce National Pinot Grigio Day on the Friday before Memorial Day. Pinot Grigio is ideal for the warm summer months, which makes this particular weekend the perfect time to sit back, relax, and enjoy a glass — especially if it’s paired with Simple Lemon Old Bay Baked Fish. I used Yellowtail Snapper, but feel free to use your preferred flakey, white fish for the recipe. According to Cavit’s website, Pinot Grigio also pairs nicely with sole. It has heavy notes of citrus and green apple, so keep this in mind when choosing your flavor profile.
Who are you going to celebrate National Pinot Grigio Day with? I obviously had to do a little pre-holiday celebrating in order to get this recipe up and running for you in time, so I invited my Bubby along for the ride. When Bub and I cook dinner together, we like to keep things simple. Fish and veggies are always on the menu, and a good bottle of white wine is a must. 
There’s really nothing better than preparing and enjoying a nice meal with your loved ones. Bubby and I paired our yellowtail with a simple spinach salad and her famous baked eggplant. I’d love to hear what you’ll pair yours with! The Pinot Grigio complemented our dinner so well. My favorite part was the Old Bay seasoning because it reminded me of one of my favorite spots in Atlantic City — Back Bay Ale House. Their Old Bay shrimp and Old Bay french fries are insanely delicious and literally make my mouth water whenever I think about them. Combining the Old Bay with fresh lemon juice and zest gave the fish a beautiful depth of flavor that brought me back to those summer nights spent on the bay.
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Easy Lemon Old Bay Baked Fish
- Total Time: 23
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Flaky white fish seasoned with Old Bay and bright lemon, baked in minutes and made for a crisp glass of Pinot Grigio.
Ingredients
- 4 yellowtail snapper fillets (or any flaky white fish such as sole), about 6 oz (170 g) each
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning, or to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet or baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
- Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer on the prepared pan.
- Drizzle olive oil and fresh lemon juice evenly over the fillets.
- Sprinkle Old Bay seasoning and lemon zest over the top of each fillet. Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the fish is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork.
- Transfer to plates and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Yellowtail snapper works beautifully here, but sole, tilapia, or any thin flaky white fish will work. Thicker fillets (over 1 inch) may need a few extra minutes in the oven.
- Old Bay has a bold, spiced flavor — start with 1 tsp if you prefer a lighter hand and add more after tasting.
- Pinot Grigio’s citrus and green apple notes make it a natural partner; the lemon in the recipe echoes those flavors.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 18
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of fish can I use for this recipe?
You can use Yellowtail Snapper as mentioned, but feel free to substitute it with any preferred flakey white fish, such as sole.
How do I know when the fish is done baking?
The fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout, which usually takes about 15-20 minutes at 375°F.
Can I adjust the amount of Old Bay seasoning in the recipe?
Yes, you can adjust the Old Bay seasoning to taste; just keep in mind that it has a strong flavor, so start with a smaller amount and add more if desired.
