Description
Lemon Butter Garlic Fish is a quick and flavorful dish featuring tender white fish fillets cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon juice and zest. Perfect for a healthy and elegant meal, this recipe is easy to prepare on the stovetop and pairs wonderfully with rice, pasta, or vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 white fish fillets (cod, halibut, tilapia, or haddock)
Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and paprika to enhance flavor.
- Cook the Fish: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned fish fillets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, adjusting time based on thickness. The fish is ready when it flakes easily with a fork. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Add Lemon and Simmer: Stir in fresh lemon juice and lemon zest into the butter and garlic mixture. Let it simmer gently for 1 minute to blend all the flavors together.
- Combine and Warm: Return the cooked fish fillets to the skillet. Spoon the lemon garlic butter sauce over the top and cook briefly to warm the fish through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately with your choice of sides such as rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or steamed vegetables.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best and brightest flavor.
- If your fish fillets are very thin, reduce the cooking time to prevent overcooking and drying out.
- This lemon garlic butter sauce also pairs well with salmon or other firm fish varieties.
- Serve this dish with steamed vegetables, rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
