Baked Flounder

Instructions

1. Prep Work
   01

   Get the Oven Ready and Prep Your Fish

   Go ahead and preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) so it's nice and hot for these delicate fillets to cook fast. Take some paper towels and pat both sides of the fish thoroughly dry; getting rid of that surface moisture keeps them from steaming and helps the butter and spices cling. Lay them out in a single layer on your rimmed baking sheet, making sure to leave plenty of breathing room between each piece so heat circulates properly.

   4 flounder filletsRimmed Baking SheetPaper Towels
2. 02

   Brush on the Lemon-Butter Glaze

   Grab a small bowl and whisk your melted unsalted butter, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice together until smoothly combined. Take a pastry brush and generously paint both sides of every fillet with the mixture. This fat blend does double duty: it gives this mild white fish a lovely, rich flavor while keeping all the natural juices sealed in throughout the high-heat bake.

   1 tbsp unsalted butter1 tbsp olive oil1 tbsp lemon juiceSmall BowlPastry Brush
3. 03

   Blend and Sprinkle the Seasonings

   In another small bowl, mix together your smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper so you get a uniform blend. Dust the seasoning evenly across both sides of the buttered fish. Mixing everything together beforehand is a smart habit because it keeps any single bold spice from clumping up and overpowering the gentle taste of the flounder.

   1 tsp smoked paprika1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp salt1/2 tsp black pepperSmall Bowl
4. Cooking
   04

   Bake Until Tender and Flaky

   Slide the baking sheet onto your oven's middle rack and bake for about 12 to 15 minutes. Check the thickest portion around the 10-minute mark with a meat thermometer; you're targeting an internal temperature between 135 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit so the meat stays succulent. You'll know it's ready to pull when the flesh turns an opaque white and separates effortlessly when tested with a fork.

   12:00

   Meat ThermometerFish Spatula