Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus and Cilantro Vinaigrette

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-05 · Updated 2026-07-05

Lightly pan-seared sea bass fillets topped with a bright citrus and cilantro vinaigrette for a fresh and healthy seafood dish. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs sea bass fillets, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp (optional) red chili flakes

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Pans + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 sea bass fillets (6 oz each). Season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp.
3. Step 3: Flip fillets and cook for an additional 3 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup orange juice, 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp honey, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes for the vinaigrette.
5. Step 5: Spoon the citrus-cilantro vinaigrette over the cooked sea bass fillets while still hot and serve immediately with your choice of sides.