Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Pea Purée and Mint
Delicate sea bass fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, served atop a vibrant, fresh pea and mint purée for a light British seafood dish. This british-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs frozen peas, packed fresh mint leaves, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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), skin on sea bass fillets
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 1/4 cup, packed fresh mint leaves
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp, freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add 2 cups frozen peas and cook for 3 minutes until tender and bright green. Drain and transfer peas to a blender with 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp unsalted butter. Blend until smooth and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Keep warm.
- Step 2: Pat dry 4 sea bass fillets and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 3: Place sea bass fillets skin-side down in the hot pan and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and golden. Carefully flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 4: Remove fish and rest for 1 minute. Spoon warm pea purée onto each plate, then top with a sea bass fillet, skin side up. Dot the remaining 1 tbsp butter over the fish and garnish with extra mint leaves if desired.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Pea Purée and Mint 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 Pea Purée and Mint?
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 frozen peas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Pea Purée and Mint?
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 Pea Purée and Mint 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 Pea Purée and Mint?
British 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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