Description
This Lemon Butter Fish recipe delivers tender, flaky white fish fillets seared to golden perfection and topped with a rich, zesty lemon butter sauce infused with fresh parsley. It’s a quick and flavorful dish perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or an elegant meal ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Seasoning
- 1 lb white fish (about four 4-oz fillets, such as halibut)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Cooking Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, minced
- Fresh lemon slices, to garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel to ensure a good sear. In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Rub this spice mixture evenly on both sides of each fillet to infuse flavor.
- Sear the Fish: Heat a skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute. Add olive oil to the hot skillet. Place the fish fillets in the pan and cook for approximately 2 minutes per side until they are golden brown and lift easily from the pan. Remove the fillets and set aside.
- Make the Lemon Butter Sauce: Reduce heat to low. In the same skillet, add butter and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing it to brown lightly. Stir in lemon juice, minced parsley, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and aromatic.
- Finish Cooking and Serve: Add fresh lemon slices to the skillet sauce, then return the fish fillets to the pan. Cook over medium-low heat for another 3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the fillets every 30 seconds to absorb the flavor. Garnish with extra parsley and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- Patting the fish dry is crucial to getting a good sear and preventing sticking.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in the sauce.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste preferences.
- This recipe works well with various white fish like cod, tilapia, or sea bass.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
