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Garlic butter fish is one of the best fish recipes, pan-fried with garlic butter sauce. This garlic butter fish recipe takes 20 mins. Serve alone or with pasta for a wholesome dinner.
Fish Recipes
I love fish and enjoy all kinds of fish recipes such as baked cod, swai fish and tilapia recipes.
Halibut is one of my favorite firm white fish. It has a mild and delicate taste, with a perfect texture for homemade fish recipes.
I went to a seafood market and got some fresh halibut fillets because they are so delicious.
I made two recipes from the fish: Ginger Soy Fish and this easy Garlic Butter Fish.
Garlic and butter are two magic ingredients that go well with all kinds of proteins, including fish recipes.
Garlic Butter Sauce
How to make garlic butter sauce for fish recipes?
This magical sauce is very easy to make and calls for four simple ingredients:
- Minced garlic
- Melted butter
- Lemon juice
- Chopped parsley
A perfect ratio of each ingredient is important for the best Garlic Butter Sauce recipe, which you can get from my recipe card below.
Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full details on each ingredient.
This Garlic Butter Fish recipe is just like the ones served at seafood restaurants, except that it’s homemade and much cheaper.
The dish is perfect as a main course; it also pairs well with a simple pasta dish.
Cooking Tips
- Use a firm white fish. Other than halibut, you can also use cod, mahi mahi or pollock.
- Use a wooden spatula to gently flip the fish over while cooking. Try not to break the fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fish are extremely healthy and low calories. This recipe is only 355 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Garlic Butter Fish
This meal is best served as an main dish with garlic butter dipping sauce. For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Skillet Garlic Butter Steak
- Garlic Butter Brazilian Steak
- Garlic Butter Pork Chops
- Asian Garlic Butter Shrimp
Garlic Butter Fish
Ingredients
- 12 oz. (350g) firm white fish fillet , halibut, cod or pollock fillet
- salt
- ground black pepper
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- lemon wedges
Garlic Butter Sauce
- 1/2 stick salted butter, 4 tablespoons, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cut the fish into pieces, not too thin, for easy pan-frying. Season the fish with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Coat the fish with cornstarch. Set aside.
- Prepare the garlic butter sauce by mixing all the ingredients together. Set aside.
- Heat a skillet (preferably non-stick) over medium heat. Add the cooking oil, and once the oil is heated, pan-fry the fish in a single layer until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
- Use a wooden spatula or tongs to gently flip the fish over. Try not to break the fish.
- Remove the fish from the skillet and drain on paper towels. Toss the fish with the garlic butter sauce and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can this dish be prepared in an air fryer?
You can try.
I’ll be trying monk fish for the 1st time with this recipe, heard it’s a poor man’s lobster this afternoon! My mouth is watering already! Lol :)
Absolutely fabulous! We made this with cabezon and it was incredible and SO simple! Love your site!
Thanks so much for trying my recipe!
Really exited to make it at home. You have described this recipe so nicely that helped me very much . I am as always looking forward for more such delicious recipes from you.
Thanks.
I was at the grocery store yesterday, here in Maryland near DC, and halibut was $32/pound. I love it, but I don’t think I’ll be having it till the price comes way down. Will try the catfish or cod suggestion though. I wonder why it’s so high priced these days? Crab is priced out of our reach too, and we aren’t poor.
You can try cheaper white fish of your choice.
I use catfish nuggets all the time with this recipe. Yesterday it was $2.69 per lbs. It’s great this way and won’t break the bank during these difficult economic times.
can you do this as an air fryer recipe?
You can try!
Air fryer? I wouldn’t try fish in one of those things.
We do catfish in the AF and it is great. Not sure why you believe it would not work or would not deliver the taste?
Thank you for tip. Any coaching on how not to fry it out?
we have done many types of fish in air fryer! All of them turned out great. Less calories, can be crispy and seals in moisture
I defrosted some fish and didn’t know what to do with it! I made your recipe and it was delish. I was lovin it :)
Awesome!! Thanks for trying.
Can’t beat the combination of butter, garlic, parsley and lemon. We used walleye because it was what we had on hand, and it worked out just fine. Highly recommend.
Tried this recipe and mmmm..so mouthwateringly delicious. thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. Can never go wrong with your recipes. have been a lifesaver when i was studying in the EU and even now when am back home in Malaysia.
Can you use red snapper?
Yes.
I don’t do cornstarch. Can this be made with arrowroot or another starch?
Yes.