Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus-Butter Sauce and Wilted Spinach

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

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Delicate sea bass fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, served with a bright citrus-butter sauce and tender wilted spinach. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs sea bass fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 sea bass fillets (5 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden.
  3. Step 3: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. Remove and keep warm.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp orange juice, simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
  6. Step 6: In a separate pan, wilt 6 cups fresh baby spinach over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Season with salt to taste and optional 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes.
  7. Step 7: Serve the sea bass topped with the citrus-butter sauce alongside the wilted spinach.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus-Butter Sauce and Wilted Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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-Butter Sauce and Wilted Spinach?

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-Butter Sauce and Wilted Spinach?

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-Butter Sauce and Wilted Spinach 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-Seared Sea Bass with Citrus-Butter Sauce and Wilted Spinach?

Mediterranean 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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