Zesty Lemon Butter Fish (Printable Version)
Delicate white fish fillets pan-seared and bathed in a vibrant lemon butter sauce, ready in just 20 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Fish
01 - 4 white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock, 150 g each)
02 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
03 - ½ tsp paprika
04 - 2 tbsp olive oil
→ For the Lemon Butter Sauce
05 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tbsp)
08 - 1 tsp lemon zest
09 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 tbsp capers (optional)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fillets and cook 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Remove and keep warm.
03 - In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Once melted, add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in lemon juice, zest, and capers (if using). Simmer for 1 minute.
05 - Return fish to the pan, spoon sauce over fillets, and cook for 1 minute to reheat.
06 - Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Ready in just 20 minutes from start to finish
- Uses simple pantry ingredients with fresh lemon
- Creates a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort
- Perfect balance of rich butter and bright citrus
- Ideal for both weeknights and special occasions
02 -
- Each tablespoon of butter adds remarkable richness without overwhelming the delicate fish
- The entire sauce contains just five ingredients yet creates restaurant-quality flavor
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free and low-carb perfect for various dietary needs
- Fish cooks extremely quickly making this ideal for last-minute meals
03 -
- Always bring fish to room temperature before cooking for more even results and to prevent sticking
- The residual heat will continue cooking fish after removal from pan so take it off heat just before it looks fully done
- For an extra special touch finish with flaky sea salt just before serving to add texture and flavor bursts