Zesty Lemon Butter Fish Fillet
A simple and delicious dish featuring tender, flaky fish enhanced with the bright flavor of lemon and a buttery garlic sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 4 fillets White fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock)
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 large Lemon, juice
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Cooking
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant (don’t let it brown!).
- Place the fish fillets into the skillet. Let them cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, until golden on the bottom.
- Gently flip each fillet. Immediately pour in the lemon juice and sprinkle the lemon zest over the top.
- Continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes, basting the fillets with the buttery sauce as they finish cooking. The fish is done when it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the heat, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve right away with extra lemon wedges for squeezing.
Notes
Best served right after cooking with steamed vegetables, rice, or a light salad. For leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.