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Lemon Butter Sauce Fish Recipe

4.6 from 150 reviews

This Lemon Butter Sauce Fish recipe features tender white fish fillets cooked to golden perfection and topped with a zesty, buttery lemon sauce infused with garlic and Dijon mustard. A quick and elegant stovetop dish that’s perfect for a light, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish

  • 4 white fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, or snapper)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Garnish

  • Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the skillet: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to ensure the pan is hot enough for searing the fish.
  2. Season the fish: Pat the fish fillets dry and season both sides generously with salt and pepper to enhance flavor and help create a nice crust while cooking.
  3. Cook the fish: Place the fillets in the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through, then remove from skillet and set aside on a plate.
  4. Make the lemon butter sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant without browning.
  5. Add flavorings: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard, then let the sauce simmer gently for 2 minutes to marry the flavors and thicken slightly.
  6. Combine fish and sauce: Return the cooked fish fillets to the skillet and spoon the lemon butter sauce over them, allowing the fillets to warm through and absorb the sauce.
  7. Garnish and serve: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the fillets for a fresh herbal note and serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best vibrant flavor.
  • Choose firm white fish fillets that hold up well to pan searing, like cod or snapper.
  • Don’t overcook the fish to keep it tender and moist.
  • This sauce pairs well with steamed vegetables or rice for a complete meal.
  • For a dairy-free version, replace butter with olive oil, though the flavor will be slightly different.

Keywords: lemon butter fish, pan fried fish, white fish fillets, lemon garlic sauce, quick fish recipe