Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Lemon Butter and Sautéed Spinach

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

Delicate sea bass fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a bright lemon butter sauce and tender sautéed spinach. This international-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs sea bass fillets, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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.

★ 4.4 (8 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 2 International cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 2 sea bass fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden.
  3. Step 3: Flip the fillets and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until opaque and easily flakes with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Remove fillets from skillet and set aside, keeping warm. In the same skillet, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter and add 2 minced garlic cloves, cooking for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, then add 4 cups fresh baby spinach. Sauté spinach for 2 minutes until wilted and coated in the lemon butter sauce.
  6. Step 6: Plate the sea bass fillets topped with the lemon butter spinach and spoon remaining sauce from the pan over the fish before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Lemon Butter and Sautéed Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Lemon Butter and Sautéed 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 Lemon Butter and Sautéed 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 Lemon Butter and Sautéed Spinach 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-Seared Sea Bass with Lemon Butter and Sautéed Spinach?

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.

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