Lemon-Caper Sea Bass with Tomatoes

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

Pan-seared sea bass fillets with bright lemon-caper sauce and roasted cherry tomatoes. This french-inspired seafood ready in about 27 minutes pairs sea bass fillets, cherry tomatoes, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 French cuisine 360 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat sea bass dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear fish skin-side down for 4 minutes until golden, then flip and cook 2 minutes more.
  3. Step 3: Remove fish and set aside. Add tomatoes, 1 minced shallot, and 1 tsp salt to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes burst and release juice.
  4. Step 4: Stir in capers, lemon zest, and white wine. Simmer for 2 minutes until sauce reduces slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return fish to skillet, spoon sauce over top, and finish in a 375°F oven for 3 minutes. Garnish with lemon slices and chopped parsley before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Caper Sea Bass with Tomatoes take to make?

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 Lemon-Caper Sea Bass with Tomatoes?

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 Lemon-Caper Sea Bass with Tomatoes?

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 Lemon-Caper Sea Bass with Tomatoes 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 Lemon-Caper Sea Bass with Tomatoes?

French 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

Related recipes