Zesty Lemon Butter Fish Fillet (Printer-Friendly)

Delicate white fish fillets with vibrant lemon butter sauce—simple, fresh and ready in under 30 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

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01 - 4 white fish fillets, such as tilapia or cod, approximately 6 ounces each
02 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
03 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
04 - 2 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
05 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
06 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
07 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
10 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Pat fish fillets dry with paper towels. Lightly season both sides with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange fillets on a plate to allow flavors to infuse.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and the surface shimmers.
03 - Carefully add the seasoned fish fillets to the hot skillet. Sear each side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden and the fish releases easily. Remove the fillets and transfer to a warm plate; loosely cover to retain heat.
04 - Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the same skillet. Stir in minced garlic and sauté about 1 minute, ensuring garlic remains fragrant and does not brown.
05 - Pour in fresh lemon juice and stir in lemon zest. Allow mixture to simmer for 1 minute to meld flavors and infuse the butter.
06 - Return fish fillets to the pan, nestling them into the lemon butter. Spoon sauce over each fillet to evenly glaze.
07 - Transfer fillets to serving plates. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and accompany with lemon wedges. Serve immediately for optimum freshness.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Patting fillets dry before seasoning ensures a crisp, golden sear and prevents sogginess.
02 - Fresh lemon zest delivers bright citrus aroma; use a microplane for best results.
03 - Gently reheating leftovers with a splash of lemon juice preserves texture and flavor.

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