Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Miso-Sesame Glaze

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

A delicate pan-seared sea bass finished with a rich miso and toasted sesame glaze that balances savory and nutty flavors. This Japanese-inspired sandwich and wrap recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs sea bass fillets, white miso paste, soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 Japanese cuisine 320 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp white miso paste, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp mirin, 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil, and 1 tbsp honey until smooth and well combined.
  2. Step 2: Pat dry 4 sea bass fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels and season lightly with salt.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Place the sea bass fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden, then carefully flip and cook for another 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Lower heat to medium, brush each fillet generously with the miso glaze, and cook for 1-2 minutes until the glaze thickens and becomes glossy.
  6. Step 6: Remove fillets from skillet, sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and 2 sliced green onions before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Miso-Sesame Glaze 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 Miso-Sesame Glaze?

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 Miso-Sesame Glaze?

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 Miso-Sesame Glaze 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 Miso-Sesame Glaze?

Japanese sandwiches & wraps 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.

What others are saying

Related recipes