This lemon butter garlic fish recipe is one of those dishes I make when I want something fancy but don’t feel like spending hours in the kitchen. It’s light, buttery, garlicky, and has just the right amount of lemon to keep things fresh. The best part? It comes together pretty fast and still tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant. I’ve made this fish so many times, and honestly it never gets boring. Sometimes I serve it with rice, sometimes with mashed potatoes, and sometimes I just eat it straight from the pan (not proud, but also not sorry). If you like simple fish recipes that don’t hide the flavor of the fish, this one is for you.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Fish
- Boneless Fish Fillets – 350 gms (cut into 3 inch chunks)
For Marination & Coating
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Crushed pepper – 1/2 to 3/4 tsp
- Garlic powder – 1/4 tsp
Dry Coating
- All Purpose Flour – 1/2 cup
Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
- Butter – 4 to 5 tbsp
- Salt – a pinch
- Crushed pepper – 1/2 tsp
- Fine chopped garlic – 2 tsp
- Fine chopped parsley – 1 tbsp
- Red chilli flakes – 1 tsp
- Lemon juice – 2 tsp
- All purpose flour – 2 tsp
This ingredient list is simple, but don’t let that fool you. When butter, garlic, and lemon come together, magic kind of happens. No fancy sauces needed here.
How to Prepare the Fish
Start by cutting the boneless fish fillets into 3-inch chunks. Try to keep them around the same size so they cook evenly. Add salt, crushed pepper, and garlic powder to the fish and gently mix everything together. Don’t overdo it, the fish is delicate and you don’t want it breaking apart already. Once the fish is seasoned, coat each piece lightly in all purpose flour. Shake off the excess flour, because too much will make the fish heavy instead of crispy. I’ve made that mistake before and yeah… not great. Set the coated fish aside while you prepare the pan.
Pan-Frying the Fish
Heat a pan over medium heat and add a little oil. Once hot, place the fish pieces carefully into the pan. Don’t overcrowd the pan or the fish will start steaming instead of frying. Cook the fish for about 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and slightly crispy. Flip gently, because fish can be dramatic sometimes and break for no reason. Once cooked, remove the fish and set it aside. It’s okay if it’s not fully cooked through yet, it’ll finish cooking in the sauce later.
Making the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
In the same pan, lower the heat and add butter. Let it melt slowly, not burn. Add the chopped garlic and cook for a few seconds until fragrant. Don’t let the garlic brown too much or it’ll taste bitter, and nobody wants that. Next, add crushed pepper, red chilli flakes, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together. Sprinkle in the all purpose flour and cook it for a minute to remove the raw flour taste. Slowly add lemon juice and mix well. The sauce will start to thicken slightly, which is exactly what you want. Add chopped parsley and give it a final stir. The smell at this point is honestly unreal.
Bringing Everything Together
Add the fried fish back into the pan and gently coat it with the lemon butter garlic sauce. Let it simmer for a minute or two so the fish absorbs all that flavor. Flip the pieces carefully so they don’t break apart. Taste the sauce and adjust salt or lemon if needed. Sometimes I add a little extra lemon because I like it more tangy, but that’s totally up to you.
How to Serve Lemon Butter Garlic Fish
This fish goes with almost everything. You can serve it with:
- Steamed rice or garlic rice
- Mashed potatoes
- Sautéed vegetables
- Pasta or buttered noodles
I usually serve it with rice and some veggies, but honestly it works even on its own. Drizzle extra sauce on top, because that sauce is the real star here.
Final Thoughts
This lemon butter garlic fish recipe is simple, comforting, and packed with flavor. It’s perfect for weeknight dinners, small gatherings, or when you just want something quick but impressive. Even if you mess up a little, it still turns out pretty great, which is my favorite kind of recipe. If you’re looking for an easy fish recipe that feels special without being complicated, give this one a try. You might end up making it more often than planned.
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