Pan-Seared Sea Bream with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicately pan-seared whole sea bream served with a vibrant olive tapenade and sweet roasted cherry tomatoes, capturing the essence of Greek island cuisine. This greek-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 30 minutes pairs olive oil, garlic cloves, minced, black olives, pitted for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, 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: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 2 Greek cuisine 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss 1 pint cherry tomatoes with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried oregano, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 15 minutes until they burst and caramelize.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, prepare the olive tapenade by combining 3/4 cup pitted black olives, 2 tbsp rinsed capers, 3 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped but not pureed.
  3. Step 3: Pat dry 2 whole sea bream (about 1 lb each) with paper towels. Season inside and out with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When shimmering, add the sea bream and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until the skin is golden and crisp and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily.
  5. Step 5: Transfer the fish to plates, spoon the olive tapenade generously over the top, and serve with the roasted cherry tomatoes on the side.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Sea Bream with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Bream with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Sea Bream with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?

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 Bream with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Bream with Olive Tapenade and Roasted Cherry Tomatoes?

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.

Related recipes