Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus and Herb Salad

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

Delicate sea bass fillets pan-seared to a golden crust served with a refreshing citrus and herb salad that brightens the dish. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe (gluten free), ready in about 25 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 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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: 15 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Season 4 sea bass fillets evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper on both sides. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place the sea bass fillets skin-side down in the skillet and cook without moving for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden brown. Flip the fillets carefully and cook for another 3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine 1 large segmented orange, 1 medium segmented grapefruit, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint, 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, and 1/4 small thinly sliced red onion. Whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper and drizzle over the citrus-herb mixture. Toss gently to coat.
  4. Step 4: Serve the pan-seared sea bass fillets topped with the citrus and herb salad immediately for a bright and balanced meal.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus and Herb Salad take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 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-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus and Herb Salad?

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-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus and Herb Salad?

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-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus and Herb Salad 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.

Is Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus and Herb Salad gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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