Description
Succulent lemon butter fish fillet brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to home kitchens with elegant simplicity. Delicate white fish drenched in zesty butter sauce creates a quick, restaurant-quality meal that delights diners seeking fresh, uncomplicated elegance.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 fish fillets (6 oz/170 g) (cod, tilapia, halibut, or snapper)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 3 tbsps fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Pat fish fillets dry and season comprehensively with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper, ensuring complete coverage on both surfaces.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high temperature. Carefully place fillets and cook until golden-brown, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Fish should flake easily when tested with a fork. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Sauce Creation: Reduce skillet heat and melt butter. Add minced garlic, stirring until fragrant and lightly golden. Introduce freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest, using a spatula to incorporate pan remnants and develop sauce complexity.
- Flavor Enhancement: Season sauce with salt and pepper. Integrate chopped parsley, distributing herbs evenly throughout the buttery liquid.
- Final Composition: Return fish fillets to skillet, gently coating with lemon-butter sauce. Warm for an additional 1-2 minutes to maintain tenderness and infuse flavors.
- Presentation: Plate immediately, garnishing with parsley sprigs and delicate lemon slices for visual appeal and citrusy brightness.
Notes
- Blot Fish Perfectly: Remove all excess moisture with paper towels to guarantee a crispy, golden-brown exterior that elevates the dish’s texture and appearance.
- Choose Fresh Seafood: Select high-quality, fresh fish fillets with firm flesh and minimal odor to ensure the best flavor and optimal cooking results.
- Master Precise Cooking Time: Cook fish exactly 3-4 minutes per side, watching carefully to prevent overcooking – fish should flake easily and remain moist and tender.
- Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with alternative herbs like dill or thyme, swap paprika with cayenne for heat, or use ghee instead of butter for different dietary preferences and taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 260 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg