Pan Fried Flounder with Butter and Lemon Recipe

This easy Sauteed Flounder with butter, lemon and chives is a quick and easy way to elevate fish fillets, and cooks in only 10 minutes!

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Total Time15

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Pan Fried Flounder with Butter and Lemon Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 793kcal

2 tablespoon canola oil, or other neutral oil such as avocado oil or vegetable oil
4 fresh or frozen (thawed) flounder filets
4 tablespoon butter, divided
2 teaspoon lemon zest, divided
fine kosher or sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
lemon wedges, for serving
freshly chopped chives or parsley, for serving

Dry fish well with paper towels.
Season on both sides with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Lightly coat in flour in a shallow dish or on a plate, and shake off any excess. (You want a very light dusting).
Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or stainless steel frying pan until shimmering but not smoking, 2-3 minutes.
Add flounder, 2 fillets at a time (as to not overcrowd the pan and promote browning), and cook until crisp and fish releases easily from pan with a fish spatula, 2 minutes.
Flip each filet, top each filet with 1 tablespoon butter and ¼ of lemon zest, and cook 2 minutes more. Flip for 30 seconds so butter melts, and lemon flavor is infused from the zest.
Immediately remove to a plate and repeat with remaining filets.
Serve hot with lemon wedges, and fresh chopped chives, as well as any accumulated pan drippings from the pan.