Imagine serving a restaurant-worthy seafood dish that looks impressive but takes less time to prepare than ordering takeout. This Pan Fried Flounder with Lemon Butter Sauce is your ticket to a gourmet meal that will have your family and guests thinking you've secretly trained as a professional chef. With a perfectly crispy exterior, delicate, flaky fish, and a luxurious lemon butter sauce, this recipe transforms a simple ingredient into a culinary masterpiece that's both elegant and incredibly easy to make.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 flounder fillets
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Pat the flounder fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a crispy exterior when cooking.
- Season both sides of the flounder fillets generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Spread the all-purpose flour on a shallow plate and lightly dredge each fillet, shaking off any excess flour to ensure a thin, even coating.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet or cast-iron pan over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons of butter, allowing it to melt and become slightly foamy.
- Carefully place the floured flounder fillets into the hot pan, cooking for approximately 3-4 minutes on the first side until golden brown and crisp.
- Gently flip the fillets using a thin spatula and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes on the other side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove the cooked fillets from the pan and transfer to a serving platter, keeping them warm.
- In the same pan, add the remaining butter and lemon juice, swirling to create a quick lemon butter sauce and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Pour the hot lemon butter sauce over the flounder fillets and garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
- Serve immediately, accompanied by lemon wedges and your choice of side dishes such as roasted vegetables or steamed rice.
Tips
- Pat the fish completely dry before cooking to ensure a crisp, golden crust that doesn't become soggy.
- Use a non-stick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet for the best browning and easiest release.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - cook fillets in batches if necessary to maintain high heat and achieve perfect crispness.
- Watch the cooking time closely; flounder is a delicate fish that can quickly become tough if overcooked.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the sauce to brighten the flavor and complement the fish's natural sweetness.
- Choose fresh, high-quality flounder fillets for the best taste and texture.
- Let the butter in the sauce brown slightly for a nutty, rich flavor that elevates the entire dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 6g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 110mg
