Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Tomato-Olive Mediterranean Relish
Delicate pan-seared sea bass served with a vibrant relish of sun-ripened tomatoes and briny olives for a fresh Mediterranean flavor. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) sea bass fillets, olive oil, salt 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 (6 oz each) sea bass fillets
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups, diced roma tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, pitted and chopped kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1, minced garlic clove
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 sea bass fillets and season on both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until the skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 3: Flip the fillets and cook for another 3-4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Remove from heat and keep warm.
- Step 4: In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups diced roma tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp red wine vinegar, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Stir gently to combine and season with a pinch of salt.
- Step 5: Spoon the tomato-olive relish generously over the cooked sea bass fillets just before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bass with Tomato-Olive Mediterranean Relish take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Tomato-Olive Mediterranean Relish?
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 Tomato-Olive Mediterranean Relish?
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 Tomato-Olive Mediterranean Relish 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 Tomato-Olive Mediterranean Relish?
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.
