Description
A bright, tropical seafood dish featuring tender white fish fillets bathed in coconut-infused lime sauce and finished with rich garlic butter—simple yet restaurant-worthy.
Ingredients
4 white fish fillets (tilapia, cod, or snapper; about 6 oz each)
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons coconut milk
2 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lime
Optional garnish: chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Pat the fish fillets dry, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and lime zest.
- In a skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil and sear the fish fillets, skin-side down if they have skin, for about 3 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove the fish and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to low in the same pan, add butter, and melt gently. Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the coconut milk and lime juice, stirring to create a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Return the fish to the pan and spoon the sauce over it, cooking for 1–2 more minutes to let the fillets absorb the flavor and warm through.
- Remove from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro, if desired.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute the fish with firm tofu or tempeh.
For added heat, incorporate red pepper flakes or a chopped fresh chili into the sauce.
Different mild fish like halibut or mahi-mahi can be used instead of tilapia, cod, or snapper.
If you prefer, use a lighter coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
To reheat, warm the fish gently over low heat or in the microwave for 1–2 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Pan-fry
- Cuisine: Tropical
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
