Bitter Orange Braised Sea Bass with Fennel
A Mediterranean delicacy where the sharp bitterness of Seville orange is tempered by the sweetness of braised sea bass and the anise notes of fennel. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (6 oz each) sea bass fillets, Seville orange zest, Seville orange juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz each) sea bass fillets
- 2 tbsp Seville orange zest
- 1/3 cup Seville orange juice
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 bulb, thinly sliced fennel
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp, chopped thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and thyme for 30 seconds, then add fennel and sauté for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Nestle sea bass fillets into the fennel, season with salt and pepper. Pour in orange juice and wine, then transfer to oven. Bake for 20 minutes until the fish is flaky and the sauce reduces to a glaze.
- Step 3: Garnish with additional orange zest before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Bitter Orange Braised Sea Bass with Fennel take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Bitter Orange Braised Sea Bass with Fennel?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) sea bass fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Bitter Orange Braised Sea Bass with Fennel?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Bitter Orange Braised Sea Bass with Fennel for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Bitter Orange Braised Sea Bass with Fennel?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Restaurant quality! Can't believe how easy this was.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
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