Description
This Lemon Butter Garlic Fish recipe is a simple and flavorful seafood dish featuring tender fish fillets cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon juice and zest. Perfect for a quick and elegant dinner, it’s seasoned lightly with salt and pepper and garnished with vibrant parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 pieces fish fillets (such as tilapia, cod, or salmon), about 6 ounces each
Sauce and Seasoning
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish: Rinse the fish fillets under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper to enhance natural flavors.
- Melt Butter: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat until fully melted and starting to bubble but not browned.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter, sautéing for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Be careful to avoid burning the garlic, as it can turn bitter.
- Cook Fish – First Side: Place the seasoned fish fillets gently into the skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes, allowing the edges to turn opaque and the bottom to develop a light golden color.
- Flip Fillets: Carefully flip the fish fillets to cook the other side, ensuring they stay intact during the turn.
- Add Lemon: Immediately squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets and sprinkle the lemon zest evenly to infuse bright citrus flavor. Continue cooking for another 3 to 4 minutes or until the fish is fully opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Finish and Garnish: Remove the skillet from heat to avoid overcooking. Transfer the fish to plates and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for color and fresh herbal notes. Serve warm.
Notes
- Fresh fish like tilapia, cod, or salmon work well with this recipe; choose firm fillets for best results.
- Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure even cooking and proper browning.
- Adjust lemon quantity to taste to balance acidity.
- This dish pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables, rice, or crusty bread.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fish fillet (6 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Lemon Butter Garlic Fish, Pan-Seared Fish Fillets, Easy Fish Recipe, Lemon Garlic Fish, Healthy Seafood
