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Lemon Butter Fish Fillet

Create restaurant-quality fish fillets at home with this simple recipe. Perfectly seasoned fish topped with a rich lemon butter sauce makes an impressive yet easy dinner.

Emily Watson
Updated on Wed, 25 Dec 2024 14:13:14 GMT
Close-up of seasoned fish fillets garnished with herbs and lemon slices.
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Close-up of seasoned fish fillets garnished with herbs and lemon slices. Pin it
Close-up of seasoned fish fillets garnished with herbs and lemon slices. | thefamilycooks.com

I discovered this Lemon Butter Fish recipe during a busy weeknight and it's become our favorite way to enjoy fish! The combination of rich butter and bright lemon creates the most incredible sauce that makes the tender fish fillets absolutely sing. It's so quick and simple yet feels like a restaurant quality meal every time.

What Makes This Fish Special

This isn't your basic fish dinner! The way the butter and lemon sauce comes together creates pure magic with any white fish. I love that I can pull this together quickly on busy nights but it's also fancy enough for company. The ingredients are so simple but the results are absolutely spectacular.

Everything You Need

  • Fish Fillets: I use cod or tilapia look for pieces about the same size they'll cook more evenly.
  • Olive Oil: Just a couple tablespoons keeps everything moist and golden.
  • Seasonings: My perfect blend of salt pepper paprika garlic and onion powder.
  • Butter: Go for unsalted it lets you control the seasoning better.
  • Garlic: Fresh minced garlic makes all the difference.
  • Lemon: Fresh lemons are key here both juice and zest bring so much flavor.
  • Parsley: A handful of fresh chopped parsley brightens everything up.

Let's Start Cooking

Prep Your Fish
Pat those fillets dry then drizzle with olive oil and season them well on both sides.
Get Cooking
Cook your fish in a nice hot skillet until it's golden and flaky about 3-4 minutes each side.
Make The Magic Sauce
Lower the heat melt your butter with a touch of oil then let that garlic get fragrant.
Finish With Flair
Add your lemon juice zest and parsley let it all simmer together then pour over your fish.

Perfect Pairings

We love serving this fish over fluffy rice that soaks up all the amazing sauce. A side of steamed veggies or fresh salad makes it complete. Don't forget extra lemon slices on the side they look pretty and add an extra burst of flavor!

A close-up of seasoned and cooked fish fillets garnished with parsley and accompanied by lemon wedges. Pin it
A close-up of seasoned and cooked fish fillets garnished with parsley and accompanied by lemon wedges. | thefamilycooks.com

Make It Your Own

Sometimes I use halibut or snapper they work beautifully too. When we're craving heat I add some red pepper flakes to the sauce. If you're avoiding dairy try it with olive oil instead of butter it's different but still delicious.

Lemon Butter Fish Fillet

White fish fillets seasoned and pan-seared to perfection, topped with a fresh lemon butter garlic sauce.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Seafood

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 fillets)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 4 white fish fillets.
02 2 tablespoons olive oil.
03 Salt and pepper to taste.
04 1 teaspoon paprika.
05 1 teaspoon garlic powder.
06 1 teaspoon onion powder.
07 4 tablespoons butter.
08 2 tablespoons olive oil.
09 4 cloves garlic, minced.
10 2 lemons (juice and zest).
11 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped.
12 Salt and pepper to taste.

Instructions

Step 01

Pat fish dry, season with oil, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic and onion powder.

Step 02

Cook fish in skillet 3-4 minutes per side until golden.

Step 03

Remove fish, add butter and oil to pan.

Step 04

Add garlic, cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.

Step 05

Stir in lemon juice, zest, parsley, salt and pepper.

Step 06

Simmer sauce 2-3 minutes.

Step 07

Pour sauce over fish, garnish and serve.

Notes

  1. A quick and elegant fish dinner that's perfect for weeknights or special occasions. Works well with any white fish.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large skillet.
  • Paper towels.
  • Zester.
  • Cutting board.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Fish.
  • Dairy (butter).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 24 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 3 g
  • Protein: 28 g