Description
Succulent lemon butter fish fillet brings Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to dinner tables with elegant simplicity. Delicate fish meets rich butter and bright citrus, creating a quick gourmet meal you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Main Ingredients:
- 4 fillets white fish (cod, tilapia, or haddock)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for sauce)
- 2 lemons (juice and zest)
- 4 cloves garlic
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for fish)
Instructions
- Prepare fish fillets by thoroughly dabbing with paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring a crisp exterior when cooking.
- Massage olive oil onto both sides of the fillets, then generously sprinkle with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper for robust seasoning.
- Preheat a large skillet to medium-high heat for approximately 2-3 minutes, creating an ideal searing environment.
- Carefully place seasoned fillets into the hot skillet, cooking for 3-4 minutes until a golden-brown crust forms and fish becomes translucent.
- Gently flip fillets and cook an additional 3 minutes, ensuring fish flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Transfer cooked fish to a serving platter, maintaining its temperature while preparing the sauce.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and add butter with olive oil, creating a rich base for the sauce.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until aromatic and slightly golden.
- Pour in fresh lemon juice and zest, stirring to combine with the garlic butter mixture.
- Incorporate chopped parsley, seasoning with salt and black pepper to enhance the sauce’s flavor profile.
- Allow sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes, developing a harmonious blend of citrusy and herbaceous notes.
- Drizzle warm lemon butter sauce generously over the prepared fish fillets.
- Garnish with additional fresh parsley and lemon slices for a vibrant, restaurant-quality presentation.
Notes
- Pat fish fillets completely dry to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of searing.
- Choose fresh, high-quality white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia for the best flavor and texture.
- Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron pan to prevent fish from sticking and breaking apart during cooking.
- Avoid overcooking the fish by watching for a golden exterior and checking that it flakes easily with a fork, which typically takes 3-4 minutes per side.
- Customize the sauce by adding capers, red pepper flakes, or a splash of white wine for extra depth and complexity.
- For a low-carb or keto-friendly version, serve with roasted vegetables instead of traditional sides.
- Substitute butter with olive oil or ghee for dairy-free dietary needs while maintaining rich flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 409 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 215 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg