Zesty Lemon Butter Fish Fillet

Bright • Buttery • Fast • Weeknight-Perfect

A simple yet elegant fish dish with a silky lemon-butter sauce that’s zesty, savory, and ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect with veggies, rice, or a fresh salad.

 Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

• 2–3 white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, haddock, basa, or snapper)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ¼ tsp paprika or chili flakes (optional)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

 Instructions (Pan-Seared)

1. Season the Fish
   Pat fillets dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
2. Sear
   Heat olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
   Add fish and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove to a plate.
3. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce
   Lower heat. Add butter to the same pan.
   Stir in garlic and cook 20–30 seconds until fragrant.
   Add lemon zest and lemon juice; swirl to combine.
4. Finish
   Return fish to the pan, spoon sauce over fillets, and simmer 1 minute.
   Sprinkle with parsley and serve immediately.

 Optional Variations

• Baked: Bake seasoned fish at 200°C / 400°F for 12–15 minutes, then pour lemon butter sauce on top.
• Creamy Lemon Butter: Add 2–3 tbsp light cream or Greek yogurt at the end.
• Herb Boost: Add dill, thyme, or oregano to the sauce.

 Nut Information (Allergen Guide)

• Contains nuts? ❌ No
• Fish allergen: ✅ Yes (fish)
• Dairy: ✅ Butter
• Nut-free: Yes
• Cross-contamination: Ensure butter and seasonings are processed in nut-free facilities if allergies are severe.

 Nutrition Highlights (Approx. per serving)

• High-quality lean protein
• Omega-3 fats (depending on fish)
• Low carb & gluten-free
• Keto-friendly

 Q & A

Q: What fish works best?
A: Mild white fish like cod, tilapia, basa, haddock, or snapper.

Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Yes—swap butter for olive oil or dairy-free butter.

Q: How do I know the fish is done?
A: It flakes easily with a fork and turns opaque.

Q: Can I meal prep this?
A: Best fresh, but keeps up to 2 days refrigerated.

Q: What sides pair well?
A: Steamed green beans, roasted asparagus, mashed potatoes, cauliflower mash, or rice.

• Author
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Sara Mitchell

Sara Mitchell is an expert restaurant content creator who writes easy-to-read guides about CAVA and other Mediterranean fast-casual chains in the United States. She covers locations, menus, prices, and hours, making it simple for visitors to find nearby restaurants and what to order quickly.

With years of experience in restaurant research and local SEO, Sara creates accurate, user-friendly guides that work for both people and search engines. Her goal is to help users go from search results to their nearest restaurant or menu choice with as few clicks as possible.

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