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Zesty Lemon Butter Fish Fillet

Juicy and flavorful white fish fillets pan-seared and coated in a bright, zesty lemon butter sauce. This incredibly quick and easy recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal and is sure to impress!
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Seafood
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or haddock)
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large lemon juiced
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Skillet
  • Paper towels

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Gently pat your fish fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Step 2: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Place seasoned fish fillets in the skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side until golden brown.
  4. Step 4: Flip the fillets. Pour in fresh lemon juice and sprinkle with lemon zest. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Tilt the skillet and spoon the buttery lemon sauce over the fillets as they finish cooking.
  6. Step 6: Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.

Notes

For a richer sauce, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of heavy cream or sour cream at the very end after removing from heat. You can also use olive oil instead of some of the butter for a lighter option.