Description
This Zesty Lemon Butter Fish Fillet recipe offers a quick and delicious way to enjoy light, flaky fish enhanced by a bright, tangy lemon butter sauce infused with garlic and fresh parsley. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it takes just 30 minutes from start to finish and yields tender, flavorful fillets baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish Fillets
- 4 fish fillets (cod or tilapia), about 6 ounces each
Sauce
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 lemons (juiced and zested)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the fish.
- Melt the butter and combine sauce ingredients: In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest, stirring well to combine the flavors into a rich lemon butter sauce.
- Season the fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and season them evenly with salt and black pepper on both sides to enhance their natural flavor.
- Prepare for baking: Place the seasoned fish fillets in a baking dish in a single layer. Pour the prepared lemon butter sauce evenly over the fillets, ensuring each is well coated.
- Bake the fish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the fish turns opaque and easily flakes with a fork.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the baked fish from the oven, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and flavor, and serve immediately for best taste.
Notes
- Choose firm white fish like cod or tilapia for the best texture.
- Do not overbake to avoid dry, tough fish.
- For extra zest, add a little lemon zest on top right before serving.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or rice for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and gently reheated.
