With just a handful of ingredients this delicious, simple fish à la meunière comes together quickly so you have more time to spend with your family and is pretty enough for guests.
It is incredibly easy to prepare and a perfect dinner solution when short on time.
This recipe for a lightly fried white fish topped with brown butter lemon parsley sauce is delicious, simple and a family favorite. When it comes to trying new food in a foreign country I'm more adventurous now than I was back in the '90s when I played it safe.
As if the original 13-hour route from our starting point in Germany to Saint Tropez in France wasn't long enough, we deviated and made a short visit to Belgium.
We squeezed in a tour of a church, a rock climb (real rock, not the man-made rock wall), and then ate lunch at a locally owned restaurant with lots of Belgium charm. It had a cozy combination of modern and antique style.
I will always remember it for its design and the taste of my meal. Flavor, as well as smell, is such a strong trigger of emotions and memories. Playing it safe I ordered a simple, classic Belgian dish of pan-seared fish, aka Sole Meunière.
Although simple, this fish recipe influenced by French cooking didn't lack in flavor.
As a matter of fact, fish à la meunière is one of my favorite ways to prepare fish to this day and you will love it too.
Finding sole in my city is hit or miss, so I use whatever white fish fillet is on sale. I mean, it's all about keeping it simple, right? And let me tell you, this dish is simplicity at its best. When ingredients are perfect, less is more.
As a matter of fact, this simple Belgian fish à la meunière recipe is here to prove it. Lightly fried white fish topped with brown butter lemon parsley sauce your family will love.
Ingredients:
- white fish fillets (sole, cod, pollock, or tilapia)
- Salt and pepper
- all-purpose flour
- butter
- lemon
Directions:
- In a shallow dish add flour. Season the fish with salt and pepper then gently press into the flour to coat. Shake off the excess flour.
- In a large non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet melt the butter over medium-high heat. When the butter begins to foam add the fish and then reduce the heat to medium.
- Cook the fish for 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer the fish to a plate and keep warm.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the lemon juice and chopped parsley. Spoon the lemon butter sauce over the fish fillet.
- Serve alongside boiled potatoes (like the Belgians do) and your favorite vegetables.
Related Recipes:
Liked this recipe? Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section. Your feedback is always appreciated! Stay in touch through Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook! Don't forget to sign up for my email list below too!
Simple Fish Recipe – Fish à la Meunière
Ingredients
- 4 white fish fillets, sole, cod, pollock, or tilapia
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 4 tablespoons butter
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- In a shallow dish add flour. Season the fish with salt and pepper then gently press into the flour to coat. Shake off the excess flour.
- In a large non-stick pan or cast iron skillet melt the butter over medium-high heat. When the butter begins to foam add the fish and then reduce the heat to medium.
- Cook the fish 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer the fish to a plate and keep warm.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the lemon juice and chopped parsley. Spoon the lemon butter sauce over fish fillet.
- Serve alongside boiled potatoes (like the Belgians do) and your favorite vegetables.
Beverly says
I've never been very successful in cooking fish. Your recipe looks delicious! Thanks for partying with us at Snickerdoodle, Jas. Pinning.
Jas says
This one is easy-peasy, Beverly! Thanks for stopping in.
Theresa @DearCreatives says
We love fish. I have to try this recipe. Looks so delish! Thanks for sharing at the Inspiration Spotlight party. Pinned & shared. See you again soon.
Jas says
I'm sure you'll like it, Theresa!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way says
Finding delicious fish recipes is always a goal for me. Hubby loves to fish, I love to cook, we both love a good fish meal so it is a win-win-win all around. I remember seeing a recipe similar to this a few years back and then I lost it. I'm pinning so this recipes doesn't get lost.
Jas says
We love fish too but your Sicilian steak is making my mouth water 🙂 Thanks for stopping in, Marisa!
image-in-ing: weekly photo linky says
Wow! This looks simply delightful.
Thanks for sharing.
Jas says
Thanks! So glad you like it 🙂
Molly says
Looks so good. I love fish
Mollyx
Jas says
Thank you, Molly!!!
Ann says
Yummmm..I love fish! Sometimes I find cod to be fishy so I tend to avoid it. I haven't tried pollock though. Fish are so expensive here... 🙁
You know what else is good with fish? Coat it with turmeric and then fry it. There's just something special about it. 🙂
Jas says
Haven't tried turmeric on fish yet but LOVE it on chicken and I add curry too! 🙂
Beverly says
Wow, I love fish and this recipe looks amazing. Thanks for sharing your wonderful posts at Over The Moon Party.
See you next week.
Hugs,
Bev
Jas says
Thank you, Bev!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
I don't cook with fish nearly enough. But after moving to Toronto, it's hard to find fresh fish. Your fish recipe looks amazing!
Jas says
Thank you, Cathleen! It's hard to find fresh fish here that isn't farm raised and especially salt-water fish, but we make do with what we have 🙂
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Wow -t hat looks so good!! Thanks for sharing at the What's for Dinner party!
Jas says
Thank you, Helen! Have a great week!
Amy says
I'm all in when it comes to fish. This recipe is so simple. I really like that, but it also sounds delicious too. Shared and pinned. Thank you for sharing at Happiness is Homemade link party.
Jas says
Thank you, Amy! That's kind of you!
Patrick@looneyforfood.com says
I need to eat more fish! I love how simple and fresh this is! And lemon an fish, can't beat that combo!
Jas says
You are absolutely right!
Sara says
This looks really good! I like that it uses ingredients we already have in the house! The butter & lemon combo sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing this with us at the Home Matters Link Party, hope to see you again next week:) #HomeMattersParty
Jas says
Thank you, Sara! I'm glad you like it and you're right about the ingredients, they are staple in every house 🙂
Debbie Kitterman says
Jas, this looks so yummy! I used to be afraid to try new things, but now I love trying new foods because I often find I really like them (especially when their inspiration is from another country)! Thanks for linking up with #TuneInThursday yesterday. See you next week!
Jas says
Hi, Debbie! So glad you like trying new foods now. My husband was the same way but is now happy to "expand his horizons".
Michelle says
Awwww man Jas, I have got to remember to visit your blog when my tummy is full. Your recipes drive me crazzeeeee. Everything always looks so delicious and there's nothing nicer than fresh fish served with a lemon butter sauce.
Jas says
Ha, that's the best compliment ever! Thank you, my dear friend!
Mary says
Super easy and super yummy, especially with the lemon. In our house if we don't put lemon on the fish it is considered a sin!
Jas says
Ha, ha. Is that a Greek thing? In my home country the lemon, garlic, and parsley is the only dressing fish needs. If fish is not too fishy, needs nothing especially if grilled.
Carlee says
Jas, this looks absolutely scrumptious. You are right that keeping it simple and using great ingredients can really make a dish sing. My guys and I will love this!
Jas says
Thank you, Carlee! Exploring different flavors is great but coming back to basics every once in a while is good too (especially if cooking on a budget).
Mary says
We have a lemon farm so it is a must. Also we add lots of oregano and parsley. And sometimes garlic when baking it.
Jas says
Ah, yes - the famous lemon orchard! Back home we make a dressing for grilled fish similar to this sauce, expect it's cold and it consists of olive oil, lemon juice, fresh parsley and minced garlic. To die for! I should put that recipe up, now to think of it.