Bitter Orange Braised Sea Bass with Fennel

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Step 3: Garnish with additional orange zest before serving.

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?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

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.

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