Description
Lemon butter garlic fish delivers a quick seafood dinner that melts in your mouth with minimal effort. Perfectly seasoned fillets come together in under 20 minutes for a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 fish fillets
- ¼ cup butter
- 1 lemon
Aromatics:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Pat 4 fish fillets completely dry using paper towels to eliminate extra moisture. Season both sides with 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Finely mince 3 garlic cloves into small, uniform pieces. Set aside for later use.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the surface appears shimmering and hot.
- Carefully place seasoned fish fillets into the hot skillet. Cook for exactly 3-4 minutes on the first side until a golden-brown crust develops.
- Gently flip each fillet and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes until the fish turns completely opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Transfer cooked fish to a serving plate. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low.
- Add ¼ cup butter to the same skillet. Sauté minced garlic in melted butter for 30-45 seconds until the aroma becomes fragrant.
- Squeeze juice from 1 entire lemon directly into the garlic butter sauce, stirring gently to combine.
- Pour the warm garlic butter sauce evenly over the cooked fish fillets.
- Chop 2 tablespoons fresh parsley and sprinkle generously across the top of the fish.
- Serve the fish immediately while the fish and sauce remain piping hot.
Notes
- Pat fish fillets completely dry to help achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture and flavor.
- Select fresh white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia for the best texture and mild taste that absorbs the garlic butter sauce perfectly.
- Use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet or non-stick pan to prevent fish from sticking and ensure even, beautiful browning.
- For a gluten-free version, swap wheat-based seasonings with alternative herbs like fresh dill or oregano to maintain bright, zesty profile.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 7-8 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg