Pan-Seared Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle Beurre Blanc
A delicate Australian barramundi fillet pan-seared and served with a tangy lemon myrtle infused beurre blanc sauce. This australian-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets (150 g each), skin on barramundi fillets
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 2 small, minced shallots
- 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder
- 6 tbsp, cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp, chopped (optional) fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 barramundi fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Place fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is crisp and golden, then carefully flip and cook for 2 more minutes until fish is opaque.
- Step 3: Remove fish from pan and keep warm. In the same pan, add 2 minced shallots, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1/3 cup dry white wine and 2 tbsp white wine vinegar, simmer until reduced by half, about 3-4 minutes.
- Step 5: Lower heat to medium-low and whisk in 6 tbsp cold cubed unsalted butter, one piece at a time, until sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Step 6: Stir in 1 tsp lemon myrtle powder and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, adjust seasoning if needed.
- Step 7: Spoon the lemon myrtle beurre blanc over the barramundi fillets and garnish with 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle Beurre Blanc take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Pan-Seared Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle Beurre Blanc?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep salt from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle Beurre Blanc?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Pan-Seared Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle Beurre Blanc for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Barramundi with Lemon Myrtle Beurre Blanc?
Australian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.