Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Lemon and Parsley Butter
Lightly pan-fried British sea bass fillets topped with a zesty lemon and parsley butter, ideal for a simple yet elegant dinner. This british-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) sea bass fillets, tablespoons unsalted butter, tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 fillets (6 oz each) sea bass fillets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 sea bass fillets and season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp.
- Step 3: Flip the fillets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley until combined.
- Step 5: Plate the sea bass fillets and spoon the lemon-parsley butter over the top while hot.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Lemon and Parsley Butter take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (10 min prep + 10 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 Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Lemon and Parsley Butter?
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 tablespoons unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Lemon and Parsley Butter?
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 Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Lemon and Parsley Butter 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 Pan-Fried Sea Bass with Lemon and Parsley Butter?
British 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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