Name: Baked Lemon Fish with Garlic Butter
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: International
Ingredients: 4 tablespoons Butter; 3 cloves garlic; 1 pc Lemon; 1.5 lbs mild white fish fillets (such as cod, lingcod, snapper, grouper, or tilapia); 0.5 teaspoon Sea Salt; 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1 tablespoon Fresh parsley

The biggest mistake most home cooks make with white fish is over-baking it at a low temperature, resulting in a rubbery, dry texture. High heat is the secret weapon here. Roasting fillets at 425 Fahrenheit quickly sets the exterior while keeping the delicate interior moist and tender.

Building flavor directly into the cooking fat ensures every bite carries impact. Blooming minced garlic in melted butter removes its raw bite, and stirring in fresh lemon zest off the heat preserves its volatile essential oils. Layering the fish over lemon slices prevents the bottom from overcooking and creates a gentle aromatic steam as it bakes.

Step By Step

Instructions × 4

Prep

Prepare the garlic butter

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 Celsius). Place a small frying pan over medium heat and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for exactly 1 minute to remove the raw bite without browning. Remove from heat, zest the lemon directly into the pan, and stir to release the citrus oils.

4 tablespoons Butter3 cloves garlic1 pc LemonSmall frying panMicroplane or zester

Build the lemon base

Slice the zested lemon into thin, even rounds. Arrange most of the slices in a single layer across the bottom of a baking dish. This creates an aromatic bed that elevates the fish and prevents it from sticking to the dish. Keep a few slices reserved for the top.

1 pc LemonBaking dishKnife

Assembly

Season and coat the fish

Thoroughly pat the white fish fillets dry with paper towels to ensure the butter adheres and the fish roasts rather than steams. Season both sides evenly with sea salt and black pepper. Lay the fillets over the lemon slices in the baking dish, then use a pastry brush or spoon to coat the top of the fish generously with the garlic lemon butter. Place the reserved lemon slices on top.

1 1/2 lbs mild white fish fillets1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper4 tablespoons Butter3 cloves garlic1 pc LemonPaper towelsPastry brush

Cook

Bake until flaky

Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Watch for the flesh to turn completely opaque and flake apart easily when gently pressed with a fork. Remove from the oven, garnish with minced fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

1 1/2 lbs mild white fish fillets1 tablespoon Fresh parsleyOvenFork

Baked Lemon Fish with Garlic Butter

Instructions × 4

Prepare the garlic butter

Build the lemon base

Season and coat the fish

Bake until flaky

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