Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade and Lemon Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Flaky sea bass fillets pan-seared to a golden crust, topped with a savory olive tapenade and finished with a zesty lemon butter sauce. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 oz each) 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: 12 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 sea bass fillets and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives, 2 tbsp chopped capers, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley to make the olive tapenade.
  3. Step 3: Heat 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sea bass fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden.
  4. Step 4: Flip fillets carefully and cook an additional 3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Transfer fillets to a warm plate.
  5. Step 5: Reduce heat to low and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 minced garlic clove to the skillet. Stir gently until butter melts and garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
  6. Step 6: Remove skillet from heat, stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice to create lemon butter sauce.
  7. Step 7: Spoon olive tapenade over each sea bass fillet and drizzle with lemon butter sauce. Serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade and Lemon Butter 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 Olive Tapenade and Lemon Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) sea bass fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade and Lemon Butter?

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 Olive Tapenade and Lemon Butter 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 Olive Tapenade and Lemon Butter?

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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