Pan-Seared Orange Roughy with Lemon-Dill Sauce

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

Delicate orange roughy fillets pan-seared to a light golden crisp, served with a bright lemon and fresh dill cream sauce. This seafood recipe, ready in about 22 minutes, pairs orange roughy fillets, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 orange roughy fillets dry and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add fillets skin-side down and cook for 3-4 minutes until edges turn opaque and the bottom is golden.
  3. Step 3: Flip fillets carefully and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Cook for another 2-3 minutes while spooning the melted butter over the fish until cooked through and flaky.
  4. Step 4: Remove fillets to a warm plate and reduce heat to medium-low. Add 3 tbsp lemon juice and 1/4 cup heavy cream to the pan, stirring to loosen any browned bits.
  5. Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill and 1 tsp lemon zest, cooking for 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the lemon-dill sauce over the fillets and serve immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Orange Roughy with Lemon-Dill Sauce 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 Orange Roughy with Lemon-Dill Sauce?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Orange Roughy with Lemon-Dill Sauce?

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 Orange Roughy with Lemon-Dill Sauce 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 should I serve with Pan-Seared Orange Roughy with Lemon-Dill Sauce?

Serve it with a simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.

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