Lemon Garlic Fish (Printable)

Tender fish fillets with zesty lemon and garlic, ready in 25 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 boneless white fish fillets (cod, haddock, or tilapia), about 5 oz each

→ Marinade

02 - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
03 - 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp sea salt
06 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
07 - ½ tsp dried oregano or thyme

→ Garnish

08 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - 4 lemon wedges

# Steps:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and dried oregano or thyme until well combined.
02 - Arrange the fish fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, turning each fillet to ensure even coating. Let rest for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) if baking, or set a large non-stick skillet over medium heat if pan-searing.
04 - For baking: place the marinated fillets on a parchment-lined baking tray and bake for 12–15 minutes until the fish turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. For pan-searing: lay the fillets in the hot skillet and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
05 - Transfer the cooked fillets to serving plates, sprinkle generously with chopped fresh parsley, and accompany each portion with a lemon wedge.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The marinade doubles as a finishing sauce so nothing goes to waste and every bite carries bright citrus flavor.
  • It works with almost any white fish you have on hand, which means no last minute grocery runs.
02 -
  • Marinating longer than thirty minutes in lemon juice will make the fish mushy because the acid literally cooks the proteins.
  • Patting the fillets dry before marinating helps the flavor adhere better and improves browning in the pan.
03 -
  • Let the skillet get fully hot before adding fish or you will never achieve that golden crust.
  • A thin spatula slides under delicate fillets without breaking them apart during flipping.

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