🍳DailyRecipes
Dinner

Easy Lemon Butter Fish

This tender and flaky white fish features a bright, buttery lemon garlic sauce that comes together in just twenty minutes.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 American· July 14, 2026
Easy Lemon Butter Fish
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
5 minutes
Cook
15 minutes
Total
20 minutes
Serves
4

If you are looking for a quick dinner that tastes like a fancy night out, this lemon butter fish is exactly what you need. It uses simple pantry staples to create a restaurant quality meal right in your own kitchen.

Most white fish like snapper or sole work beautifully here, making this a very flexible dish for busy weeknights. The light flour coating ensures the fish gets a lovely golden crust while the sauce stays rich and flavorful.

Ingredients

  • 4 white fish fillets, such as snapper, sole, or orange roughy
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 4 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. 1

    Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.

  2. 2

    Lightly dredge the fish in the flour, shaking off any excess so you have just a thin coating.

  3. 3

    Heat the vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat.

  4. 4

    Place the fish in the pan and cook until golden brown and the flesh is opaque and flakes easily, usually about 3 to 4 minutes per side.

  5. 5

    Remove the fish from the skillet and set it aside on a plate.

  6. 6

    In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat until it turns a light golden brown color.

  7. 7

    Stir in the minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and fresh parsley.

  8. 8

    Drizzle the warm lemon butter sauce over the cooked fish and serve immediately.

💡 Tips

To keep the butter sauce perfectly smooth and creamy, be sure to use cold butter and keep the heat low while whisking. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days, though it is best enjoyed fresh.

#fish#seafood#dinner#quick meal#easy recipe

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.

You might also like