🍋🧈 Lemon Butter Fish Fillet – A Light & Flavorful Delight
🐟 Recipe Overview:
This dish is pan-seared fish fillet, lightly seasoned, then topped with a zesty lemon-butter sauce. It’s simple, fast, and packed with flavor — perfect for a weeknight dinner or a light lunch.
📝 Ingredients:
For the Fish:
4 white fish fillets (tilapia, cod, haddock, or snapper)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
2 tbsp flour (for light dredging – optional)
2 tbsp olive oil or butter (for searing)
For the Lemon Butter Sauce:
3 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 large lemon (about 2 tbsp)
1 tsp lemon zest (optional but adds great flavor)
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (or 1 tsp dried)
Salt to taste
🔪 Instructions:
1. Prep the Fish:
Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels.
Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
Lightly dredge in flour if using (this gives a light crust and helps sauce cling).
2. Sear the Fish:
Heat olive oil or butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Add fillets and cook 2–4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden and cooked through.
Remove and set aside on a plate. Keep warm.
3. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce:
In the same pan, reduce heat to low.
Add butter and minced garlic. Cook 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant (don’t brown the garlic).
Add lemon juice and zest. Stir and let it simmer for 1 minute.
Stir in chopped parsley. Taste and adjust salt.
4. Finish & Serve:
Return fish to the pan briefly to coat with sauce or drizzle the sauce over plated fish.
Serve with rice, steamed veggies, or mashed potatoes. Garnish with extra lemon slices if desired.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions:
Steamed asparagus or green beans
Herbed rice or lemon couscous
Roasted potatoes or a fresh salad
❓ Q&A – Lemon Butter Fish Fillet
Q1: What type of fish works best for this recipe?
A: Any mild, white fish fillet like tilapia, cod, halibut, haddock, or snapper. Avoid oily fish like salmon if you’re aiming for a light and clean lemon-butter flavor.
Q2: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes! Substitute the butter with a good-quality vegan butter or use olive oil. The flavor will be different but still delicious.
Q3: What if I don’t have fresh lemons?
A: You can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch, but fresh lemon juice gives a brighter, cleaner flavor. Lemon zest is optional but enhances the lemon aroma.
Q4: Can I bake the fish instead of pan-searing it?
A: Yes. Bake the seasoned fish at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, then drizzle with lemon butter sauce after cooking.
Q5: How do I keep the fish from falling apart?
A: Make sure your pan is hot before adding the fish and avoid flipping too early. Using a wide spatula helps too. Also, pat the fish dry to help it sear.
Q6: Can I add capers or white wine to the sauce?
A: Definitely! Add 1 tbsp capers with the garlic or deglaze the pan with 2 tbsp white wine before adding lemon juice for a more complex sauce.
🕒 Quick Tips:
This entire meal comes together in under 25 minutes.
Use real butter for the best flavor.
Pair with a glass of chilled white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
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