Pan-Seared Grouper with Florida Citrus Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A bright, regional seafood dish highlighting fresh grouper fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a tangy Florida citrus butter sauce. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) grouper fillets, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 American cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 grouper fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place the fillets skin-side down and cook 4 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden, then flip and cook another 3 minutes until cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove fish to a warm plate and reduce heat to medium-low. Add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/4 cup fresh orange juice and 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; simmer gently for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tsp thin orange zest strips, then spoon the citrus butter sauce over the fillets before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Grouper with Florida Citrus Butter 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 Grouper with Florida Citrus Butter?

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 kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Grouper with Florida Citrus Butter?

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 Grouper with Florida Citrus Butter 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 Grouper with Florida Citrus Butter?

American 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.

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