Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Herb Pesto

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

Lightly pan-seared sea bass served with a vibrant herb pesto featuring regional greens and nuts, creating a fresh and flavorful 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 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: 10 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 (6 oz each). Season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons 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 edges are crispy and golden. Flip and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
  3. Step 3: While the fish cooks, prepare the herb pesto by combining 1/2 cup fresh parsley, 1/4 cup fresh basil, 1/4 cup toasted almonds, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse while slowly drizzling in 1/3 cup olive oil until smooth and vibrant.
  4. Step 4: Spoon the pesto over the cooked sea bass fillets and serve immediately with a fresh green salad or steamed vegetables.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Herb Pesto 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-Seared Sea Bass with Herb Pesto?

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 Herb Pesto?

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 Herb Pesto 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 Herb Pesto?

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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