Pan-Seared Gulf Coast Redfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon
Fresh Gulf Coast redfish fillets pan-seared to a golden crust, finished with a bright garlic butter lemon sauce for a simple seafood dinner. This seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) redfish fillets, kosher salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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 (6 oz each) redfish fillets
- 1.5 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 redfish fillets and season both sides evenly with 1.5 tsp kosher salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fillets skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until the skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 3: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for another 3 minutes until opaque and cooked through.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium-low, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Spoon the melted garlic butter over the fish continuously for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 5: Remove the pan from heat, stir in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Spoon the sauce over the fillets and serve immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Gulf Coast Redfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Gulf Coast Redfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
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 Gulf Coast Redfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
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 Gulf Coast Redfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon 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 Gulf Coast Redfish with Garlic Butter and Lemon?
Seafood 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.
