Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Fennel
Delicate sea bass fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with a briny olive tapenade and served alongside sweet roasted fennel slices. This greek-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 50 minutes pairs divided extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic clove, pitted and chopped kalamata olives 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.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets, about 6 oz each sea bass fillets
- 4 tbsp, divided extra virgin olive oil
- 1 large, sliced into 1/4-inch wedges fennel bulb
- 1, minced garlic clove
- 1/2 cup pitted and chopped kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup pitted and chopped green olives
- 2 tbsp, rinsed and chopped capers
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss 1 large fennel bulb sliced into 1/4-inch wedges with 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes until tender and caramelized at the edges.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the olive tapenade by combining 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives, 1/4 cup chopped green olives, 2 tbsp chopped capers, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley in a bowl. Stir until well mixed and set aside.
- Step 3: Pat 4 sea bass fillets dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 3/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp.
- Step 4: Carefully flip the sea bass fillets and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: Plate the sea bass with roasted fennel wedges and spoon generous amounts of olive tapenade over the fillets. Serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Fennel take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 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 Roasted Fennel?
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 minced garlic clove from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Fennel?
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 Roasted Fennel 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 Roasted Fennel?
Greek 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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