Craving a taste of the Mediterranean on a busy weeknight? This Instant Pot Sea Bass is your ticket to a gourmet meal without the fuss. Imagine tender, flaky sea bass fillets gently steamed to perfection, then nestled in a rustic sauce of bright tomatoes, fragrant garlic, and fresh herbs. A generous crumble of salty feta cheese melts over the top, creating a dish that’s both incredibly simple and deeply satisfying. In just 30 minutes, you can have this elegant, healthy, and flavor-packed dinner on the table. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients
• 4 Sea Bass Fillets, about 6 oz each
• 1 cup / 240g canned diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup / 75g crumbled feta cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 ½ cups / 355ml water
Instructions
1. Directions
2. Pat the sea bass fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and pepper.2. Pour the water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot and place the steam rack or trivet inside. Arrange the seasoned sea bass fillets on the rack.3. Secure the lid, set the steam release valve to ‘Sealing’, and cook on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.4. Once finished, perform a quick pressure release. Carefully transfer the cooked sea bass to a plate and set aside. Discard the water and wipe the inner pot dry.5. Select the ‘Sauté’ function. Once the display reads ‘Hot’, add the olive oil.6. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.7. Pour in the diced tomatoes and cook for 1 more minute, scraping any bits from the bottom of the pot.8. Turn off the ‘Sauté’ function and stir in the fresh basil and parsley.9. Gently return the sea bass fillets to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Top each fillet with crumbled feta cheese.10. Place the lid back on the pot (no need to seal) and let the residual heat warm the fish through and slightly melt the cheese, about 1-2 minutes.11. Serve immediately, spooning the tomato feta sauce over the fish. Enjoy!
Nutritional Information
• Per Serving: 1 fillet with sauce
• Calories: 275
• Total Fats: 8g
• Net Carbs: 2g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 1g
Pro Tips
• Don’t skip patting the fish dry. This simple step helps the seasoning stick to the fillets and results in a better overall texture.
• For a richer sauce, add a splash of dry white wine or lemon juice with the tomatoes to deglaze the pot, scraping up any flavorful browned bits.
• Elevate the Mediterranean flavor by adding a handful of Kalamata olives or a tablespoon of capers to the sauce along with the tomatoes.
• This dish is fantastic served over orzo, quinoa, or with a side of crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delicious sauce.
FAQ
Q: Can I use frozen sea bass for this Instant Pot recipe
A: Yes, you can use frozen sea bass fillets. Simply increase the pressure cooking time to 7-8 minutes on HIGH. There’s no need to thaw them first, making this recipe even more convenient for a busy weeknight.
Q: What can I serve with this Mediterranean sea bass
A: This dish pairs beautifully with orzo, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious tomato feta sauce. For a low-carb or gluten-free option, serve it with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or a simple green salad.
Q: How do I know when the sea bass is cooked perfectly
A: The sea bass is perfectly cooked when it’s opaque all the way through and flakes easily with a fork. The 5-minute high-pressure cook time is designed for 6 oz fillets, which should result in a tender, flaky texture.
Q: Can I make this recipe with a different type of fish
A: Absolutely. This recipe works well with other firm, flaky white fish fillets like cod, halibut, or tilapia. You may need to adjust the pressure cooking time slightly depending on the thickness of the fillets you choose.
