If you’re looking for a bright, flavorful main that tastes like pure sunshine on a plate, the Lemon Butter Fish Recipe is here to make your dinner dreams come true! This dish pairs delicate white fish fillets with a luscious lemon butter sauce and bursts of fresh parsley. It’s ready in under 30 minutes and feels just as fancy as a meal out, but with the unbeatable comfort of homemade goodness. Whether you’re entertaining or just spicing up a weeknight, the Lemon Butter Fish Recipe brings restaurant-level delight right to your own kitchen table.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This ingredient list is refreshingly short, yet every component truly shines. Each one plays an important role, either infusing the fish with flavor, building that silky sauce, or adding a pop of color and freshness. Here’s what you need—and why it matters:

White Fish Fillets: Mild fish like cod, tilapia, or haddock provide a tender, flaky base that soaks up all the sauce flavors.
Olive Oil: Used for searing, olive oil not only prevents sticking but adds subtle richness to the crisped edges.
All-Purpose Flour: A light dredge helps the fish brown beautifully and thickens the lemon butter sauce ever so slightly.
Salt: Just enough to enhance the natural flavors of the fish and balance the tang of the lemon.
Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth without overpowering the delicate seafood.
Unsalted Butter: The star of the sauce, giving it a rich, velvety texture and a lovely golden hue.
Garlic: Three cloves punch up the aromatics, making the kitchen smell irresistible as it cooks.
Fresh Lemon Juice: Provides a zesty, bright hit that lightens the entire dish.
Lemon Zest: Adds pure citrus fragrance and a little color to both sauce and garnish.
Chicken Broth or White Wine: Deglazes the pan, picking up every savory bit and deepening the sauce’s flavor profile.
Fresh Parsley: Sprinkled on at the end, parsley brings gorgeous color and a burst of freshness.
Lemon Slices: For garnish and a final flourish of zippy brightness.

How to Make Lemon Butter Fish Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Fish

Start by patting the fish fillets completely dry with paper towels. This small step really matters—it helps the flour stick and ensures your fillets will get beautifully golden and never soggy. In a shallow dish, combine the flour with salt and pepper. Dredge each fillet lightly in the mixture, shaking off any extra flour so the coating stays thin and crisp when cooked.

Step 2: Sear Your Fillets

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high until it just shimmers. Carefully lay each fillet in the pan, giving them space so they sear rather than steam. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until the exterior is golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Once cooked, gently transfer the fillets to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Step 3: Make the Lemon Butter Sauce

Lower the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter right into the same skillet, swirling until melted. Stir in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds—just until it becomes fragrant but not browned. Pour in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or white wine), scraping up any golden bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the sauce bubble and reduce for 2 to 3 minutes, intensifying the flavors and thickening slightly.

Step 4: Finish with Love

Slide the fish fillets back into the skillet, spooning plenty of that tangy sauce on top. Let everything heat through for a minute longer, so the flavors meld. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and adorn each fillet with a few lemon slices for a zesty finish. Serve the Lemon Butter Fish Recipe immediately and savor every bright, buttery bite!

How to Serve Lemon Butter Fish Recipe

Garnishes

You can’t go wrong with a shower of chopped fresh parsley and a few vibrant lemon slices on each fillet. Those finishing touches not only brighten the dish visually but add little pops of flavor and freshness. If you’re feeling extra fancy, microgreens or a very light grating of lemon zest over the top can turn up the elegance even more.

Side Dishes

The Lemon Butter Fish Recipe begs for something that can soak up that delectable sauce. Fluffy white rice or creamy mashed potatoes are tried-and-true favorites. For a lighter spin, consider sautéed greens, steamed asparagus, or even a colorful medley of roasted seasonal veggies right on the same plate.

Creative Ways to Present

Try plating each fillet over a bed of wilted spinach, or nestle them atop parmesan polenta for sophisticated comfort food vibes. For a dinner party, serve the fillets family-style on a big platter, sauce poured over, with garnishes scattered generously—it’s stunning and encourages a bit of sharing. Small fillets or bites even work atop crostini as elegant appetizers!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer any leftover Lemon Butter Fish Recipe into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to two days. The flavors deepen a bit as they sit, making for an easy and tasty next-day lunch or dinner.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze your Lemon Butter Fish Recipe, wrap the fillets individually in plastic wrap and place in a zip-top freezer bag. The sauce can be frozen separately in a small container. For the best texture, try to enjoy within a month, as the fish may lose some of its tenderness after thawing.

Reheating

Gently reheat the fillets and sauce together in a covered skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or lemon juice to loosen the sauce as needed. Avoid the microwave if possible—it’s worth the extra few minutes to keep the fish tender and moist.

FAQs

What type Main Course

Cod, tilapia, and haddock are all superb choices, thanks to their mild flavor and flaky texture. If you have access to other white fish like pollock or sole, feel free to try those too—just make sure your fillets aren’t too thin, or they’ll cook too quickly and risk drying out.

Can I make the Lemon Butter Fish Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply swap out the all-purpose flour for rice flour or almond flour for dredging. These alternatives will still give you that delicate golden crust without any gluten, so everyone can enjoy.

Can I make this dish dairy-free?

While the butter is a key flavor in this dish, you can use a high-quality vegan butter substitute in the sauce. The results will still be deliciously rich and tangy, though the flavor will be slightly different than classic Lemon Butter Fish Recipe.

Is there a non-alcoholic alternative to white wine in the sauce?

Yes! Chicken broth works wonderfully to deglaze the pan and round out the sauce’s flavor without any alcohol. Vegetable broth is also a fine substitute if you want to keep things pescatarian.

My sauce seems thin. How can I thicken it?

If your sauce needs a little help to get glossy and thick, just simmer it a minute or two longer until it reduces. Alternatively, whisk in a teaspoon of cold butter at the very end for a luscious, restaurant-style finish.

Final Thoughts

The Lemon Butter Fish Recipe is everything you need for an effortless weeknight dinner or special meal at home. Each forkful is full of sunshine-bright flavor, irresistible buttery richness, and a freshness that never gets old. Give it a try—you just might find it becomes your new go-to seafood delight!

Lemon Butter Fish Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 16 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A delightful and easy-to-make Lemon Butter Fish recipe that features tender white fish fillets cooked to perfection in a savory lemon and garlic butter sauce. This dish is a perfect balance of flavors and makes for a delicious main course.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

4 white fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, or haddock)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/4 cup chicken broth or white wine
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
lemon slices for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Pat the fish fillets dry: with paper towels.
Mix the flour, salt, and pepper: in a shallow dish. Lightly dredge each fillet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Heat olive oil: in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish fillets and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer fish to a plate.
Add butter to skillet: reduce heat to medium. Once melted, add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Pour in lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth (or wine). Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
Return fish to skillet: spoon sauce over fillets. Cook for 1 more minute. Sprinkle with parsley and garnish with lemon slices. Serve immediately.