Lemon Butter Fish with Parsley

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What is Lemon Butter Fish with Parsley?

Golden grilled fish topped with luscious lemon butter and parsley—this dish is bursting with fresh flavours! The bright, zesty, buttery marinade pairs beautifully with the flaky, tender fish.

You’ll love it if…

… you want a light, flavourful main dish which is the perfect balance of zesty and savoury. The Chef recommends serving it with creamy mashed pumpkin with vanilla and garlic sauteed broccoli and peppers *Chef’s Kiss*

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Julia Child famously said, “With enough butter, anything is good.” Who are we to contradict the great Julia Child?

Butter is smooth, butter is golden, butter is delicious. Butter is buttery. It’s so good it has its own adjective that can be used to describe other things. But they can only emulate butteriness, butter is the OG.

In this recipe butter marries lemon to make a bright, zesty, and well, buttery marinade for the fish. The parsley lends a herbaceous freshness and the fish is perfectly charred and tender and flaky. It’s perfect for a light and bright main dish. You’ll be licking the plate. Because of the aforementioned butter.

Gather the Ingredients

Shown here with the ingredients for the recommended sides Creamy Mashed Pumpkin and Garlic Sauteed Broccoli and Peppers.

parsley butter grilled fish ingredients - parsley, fish, lime,, garlic pepper, chilli and pumpkin mash and broccoli and peppers ingredients.

Marinate the Fish
Crush or finely chop parsley, green chilli, black pepper powder, juice and the zest lemon and some garlic. Add soft butter and a glug of olive oil to make a paste.
Score fish fillets with a sharp knife and coat the fish on both sides with the marinade paste. Leave to marinade for at least an hour in the fridge.

parsley butter grilled fish ingredients - parsley butter marinated fish with chilli and lime. Pumpkin mash and broccoli and peppers on the side.

Pan Grill The Fish

In a non stick pan on medium heat add the marinated fish. Cook until the sides give away from the pan. Flip gently with a spatula and cook the other side.

Serve and Enjoy!
Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon.

parsley butter grilled fish on a plate with pumpkin mash and chargrilled broccoli and peppers and lime.

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I have used grouper but any other mild, flaky fish like cod, halibut, tilapia, or sole also work well. They absorb the buttery lemon flavours beautifully without overpowering the dish.
You could omit the parsley entirely and made a simple marinade with salt, pepper, butter, lemon and garlic

Lemon Butter Fish with parsley

Bright, zesty, and buttery perfection! This lemon butter fish with fresh parsley is light, flavourful, and perfect for any meal.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Resting Time 1

Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine American, British

Servings 2 people

Calories 410 kcal

Equipment

non stick frying pan

Ingredients

500 grams fish fillets of your choice *The chef has used grouper
juice and zest of half a lemon *zest is optional.
2 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon chopped green chilli *optional
1 teaspoon black pepper powder
5 cloves garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter, softened
salt to taste
additional lemon juice to serve

Instructions

Crush or finely chop 2 tablespoon parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped green chilli, 1 teaspoon black pepper powder, juice and the zest of half a lemon (the zest is optional) and 5 cloves garlic. Add 2 tablespoons of soft butter and a glug of olive oil to make a paste.
Score 500 grams fish fillets with a sharp knife (this is optional but helps the marinade to permeate the fish better)
Coat the fish on both sides with the parsley, garlic paste.
Marinate the fish for at least an hour in the fridge, overnight is preferred.
In a non stick pan on medium heat add the marinated fish (you won’t need to add oil as the marinade has butter and oil in it). Cook until the sides give away from the pan, around 3-5 minutes or longer depending on the thickness of the fish fillet. Flip gently with a spatula and cook the other side for another minute.
Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon.

Video

Notes

The chef recommends serving this with creamy mashed pumpkin and garlic sauteed broccoli and peppers.

Keyword butter grilled fish, lemon butter fish, lemon butter sauce, Mains

FAQ

What’s the best fish to use for lemon butter fish?

The chef has used grouper but other mild, flaky fish like cod, halibut, tilapia, or sole also work well. They absorb the buttery lemon flavours beautifully without overpowering the dish.

How do I keep the fish from sticking to the pan?

Use a well-heated non-stick or cast-iron skillet, and ensure the pan is hot before adding the fish. Don’t move the fish until it naturally releases its oils and the marinade butter melts.

Can I make this recipe in the oven instead of on a pan?

Yes, you can bake the fish at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-12 minutes, depending on thickness. Broil under the grill setting for the last few minutes to get a crispy finish.

What pairs well with lemon butter fish?

The chef recommends serving this with creamy mashed pumpkin and chargrilled garlic broccoli and peppers. You could also serve it with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a light salad. Grains like quinoa or couscous also complement the zesty flavours.