Pan-Roasted Sea Bass with Herb Butter and Steamed Greens
Flaky pan-roasted sea bass served with a fragrant herb butter inspired by regional garden herbs and tender steamed leafy greens. This seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs sea bass fillets, unsalted butter, fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 fillets (6 oz each), skin on sea bass fillets
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 sea bass fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place the fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden brown.
- Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 tbsp chopped dill to the pan. Spoon the melted herb butter over the fish continuously for 2-3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 4: Meanwhile, steam 4 cups baby spinach in a steamer basket over boiling water for 2-3 minutes until wilted but bright green.
- Step 5: Remove the sea bass from heat and drizzle with 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice. Serve the fillets over the steamed spinach, spooning remaining herb butter from the pan over the top.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Roasted Sea Bass with Herb Butter and Steamed Greens 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-Roasted Sea Bass with Herb Butter and Steamed Greens?
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 Pan-Roasted Sea Bass with Herb Butter and Steamed Greens?
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-Roasted Sea Bass with Herb Butter and Steamed Greens for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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-Roasted Sea Bass with Herb Butter and Steamed Greens?
International 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.
