Go Back
Pan-seared flounder with lemon-butter sauce, garnished with fresh lemon slices, capers, and chopped parsley on a white plate.
Reda

Flounder with Lemon-Butter Sauce

Tender, flaky flounder fillets in a silky, bright lemon-butter sauce that comes together in under 30 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

For the Fish
  • 1.5 lbs flounder fillets about 4 fillets, patted dry
  • 0.25 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
For the Sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced (about 3 tbsp juice)
  • 0.25 cup dry white wine such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped, for garnish

Equipment

  • large nonstick or stainless steel skillet
  • Fish Spatula
  • Microplane or fine grater
  • Small Bowl

Method
 

Prep
  1. Pat flounder fillets completely dry with paper towels - this is crucial for browning. Mix flour with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the pepper in a shallow dish. Lightly dredge each fillet, shaking off excess flour.
  2. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter stops foaming. Add fillets in a single layer (work in batches if needed) and cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden and just opaque in the center. Transfer to a warm plate and tent with foil.
Make the sauce
  1. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet. Once melted, add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in wine and simmer 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits, until slightly reduced.
  2. Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Simmer 1 minute more. Taste and adjust - the sauce should be bright and buttery, not too tart.
Serve
  1. Return fish and any accumulated juices to the pan, spooning sauce over top for 30 seconds to warm through. Transfer to plates, drizzle with remaining sauce, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately with crusty bread or rice to soak up every drop.

Notes

Don't skip patting the fish dry - moisture is the enemy of a good sear. If your fillets are thin (under 1/2 inch), reduce cooking time to 90 seconds per side to prevent overcooking. No wine on hand? Substitute equal parts low-sodium chicken broth plus an extra squeeze of lemon.