Description
A simple and delicious Lemon Butter Fish recipe featuring tender white fish fillets cooked in a flavorful garlic lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a quick, healthy, and satisfying main course.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 white fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, or halibut, about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Lemon Butter Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
To Serve
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Season the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance the flavor.
- Cook the Fish: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fish fillets and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust and are cooked through.
- Remove Fish: Transfer the cooked fish from the skillet to a plate and set aside temporarily to prepare the sauce.
- Make Lemon Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium-low, then melt the butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Combine Fish and Sauce: Return the fish fillets to the skillet and spoon the lemon butter sauce generously over the top, allowing the fish to soak up the flavors for about a minute.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the fish for a fresh herbal note and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for extra zest.
Notes
- This recipe works well with any mild white fish such as cod, tilapia, or halibut.
- For a lighter version, reduce the butter to 2 tablespoons without sacrificing flavor.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
