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Garlic Butter Grilled Fish Recipe

5 from 150 reviews

This Garlic Butter Grilled Fish recipe features tender, flaky white fish fillets perfectly cooked on the grill and enhanced with a rich garlic butter sauce infused with fresh lemon juice and parsley. It’s a quick, flavorful dish ideal for a healthy and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Fish

  • 4 fresh white fish fillets (such as cod, tilapia, or snapper), about 6 oz each
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, freshly ground, to taste
  • Olive oil, about 2 tablespoons (for coating)

Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Garlic Butter: Gently melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat, then add the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley. Set aside.
  2. Season the Fish: Pat the fish fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Brush both sides lightly with olive oil. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor.
  3. Preheat the Grill: Heat the grill to medium-high. Clean the grill grates thoroughly and lightly oil them to prevent the fish from sticking and to achieve nice grill marks.
  4. Grill the Fish: Place the fish fillets carefully onto the grill. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes on the first side to develop a crust. Flip the fillets and grill for another 3-4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  5. Brush with Garlic Butter: During the last minute of grilling, generously brush the garlic butter sauce over the fish, letting it melt and soak into the layers. Remove the fish promptly from the grill to avoid overcooking.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the grilled fish to serving plates. Drizzle any remaining garlic butter sauce over the top. Garnish with additional fresh parsley or lemon slices if desired.

Notes

  • Make sure the grill is clean and well-oiled to prevent the fish from sticking.
  • Do not overcook the fish to maintain its moist and flaky texture.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and parsley for the best flavor in the garlic butter sauce.
  • Allow the garlic to cook just until fragrant to avoid bitterness.
  • You can substitute the white fish fillets with salmon or trout, adjusting grilling time as needed.

Keywords: grilled fish, garlic butter fish, healthy fish recipe, quick grilled fish, lemon garlic fish, easy summer grill, white fish fillets