Baked Flounder Recipe with Lemon Butter Sauce
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This Baked Flounder Recipe with Lemon Butter Sauce gives delicate flounder fillets a bright, buttery garlic sauce and a golden breadcrumb topping. Flounder cooks quickly in the oven, so the key is to watch the fillets closely and avoid overcooking them. Ready in about 30 minutes, this baked fish recipe is an easy way to cook mild, flaky flounder with plenty of fresh lemon and garlic flavor.
See the complete list of What to Serve with Flounder for side ideas!
Quick Look: Baked Flounder Recipe with Lemon Butter Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Dietary Info: Can be made gluten-free
- Method: Oven baked with lemon butter garlic sauce
- Technique: Coat with lemon butter sauce and breadcrumbs, then bake
- Flavor/Texture: Buttery, lemony, garlicky, flaky, tender with a golden breadcrumb topping
A Favorite Way to Cook Delicate Fish
I love this flounder recipe because it lets the fish remain the star while adding just enough lemon, garlic, butter, and herbs to bring everything together. Growing up with Mediterranean cooking, I learned to appreciate seafood preparations that use bright, fresh flavors without overpowering the fish.
Flounder has a delicate texture and mild flavor, so keeping a close eye on the cooking time is key to tender, flaky fillets. The golden breadcrumb topping adds just the right amount of texture, making this one of my favorite ways to prepare flounder at home!!
You’ll also like my Easy Oven Baked Cod and Seared Scallops.
Made With Amore,
“Awesome and easy! My non-fish-loving husband was very happy!”
– Cindy
Table of Contents
Simple Ingredients
This baked flounder uses a handful of fresh ingredients to create a flavorful lemon butter garlic sauce and golden topping.
- Flounder Fillets: Mild, delicate fish that cooks quickly in the oven.
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice and zest add brightness and balance the richness.
- Butter: Creates a rich base for the lemon garlic sauce and helps keep the fish moist.
- Garlic: Adds savory flavor to the sauce without overpowering the fish.
- Breadcrumbs: Create a light, golden topping with a little texture against the fish.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Substitutions
- Fish Variations: Try cod, tilapia, haddock, or sole if flounder isn’t available. Remember that cooking times will vary.
- Crispy Topping Options: Use coarse fresh breadcrumbs as written, or substitute panko for a crunchier topping. Try my Crispy Baked Cod with Panko.
- Add Herbs: Fresh parsley adds color and freshness, while tarragon gives the fish a slightly more aromatic flavor. You can also use Homemade Italian Seasoning.
- Use Frozen Fish: Thaw the flounder in the refrigerator before preparing for the best texture and to prevent excess moisture in the baking dish.
How to Make Baked Flounder
This method makes cooking flounder approachable, with tender fillets and a golden finish every time. Follow the step-by-step photos and see the recipe card at the bottom for a printable version.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly pat the fish dry with paper towels. Grease a baking dish with a bit of butter. Place the fillets in the baking dish in an even layer and rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Add garlic, lemon juice, zest, and butter to a bowl.
- Stir to combine.
- Spoon the lemon butter mixture over the fillets.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the top of the fish so they bake into a golden topping.
- Bake at for 15-25 minutes, or until the thickest part of the fish reaches 145°F and the fillets are opaque and flake easily with a fork. Start checking thinner fillets early because flounder thickness can greatly affect cooking time.
Baked Flounder Recipe FAQs
The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork. For the most reliable result, check the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer; it should reach 145°F.
The most important thing is to avoid overcooking it. Pat the fish dry, coat it with the lemon butter sauce, and begin checking the fillets early because thinner pieces will cook faster.
Yes, you can bake frozen flounder fillets, but they will take longer to cook. Add 5-7 minutes to the baking time for frozen fillets. It’s also recommended to thaw the fillets in the refrigerator before baking to ensure even cooking.
No. Flounder is delicate and does not need to be flipped during baking. Let the fish cook undisturbed until it reaches 145°F and flakes easily.
Store leftover baked flounder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture, reheat gently in a 300°F oven until warmed through, being careful not to overcook the delicate fish. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave in short intervals, but the fish may become drier and the breadcrumb topping will not stay as crisp.
Serving Suggestions
I love serving this baked flounder with fresh sides that complement the lemon butter sauce, such as Italian Potatoes or Sautéed Frozen Green Beans. A crisp Italian Orange Fennel Salad adds a fresh contrast to the buttery fish, while No Knead Italian Ciabatta Bread is perfect for soaking up the extra lemon butter sauce. For dessert, try my No Bake Lemon Bars
My Pro Tips
Recipe Tips
- Pat the fillets dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning and breadcrumb topping adhere to the fish.
- Pay attention to the thickness of the fillets. Thin pieces can cook several minutes faster than thicker ones, so begin checking early.
- Use an instant-read thermometer. The thickest part of the fish should reach 145°F for reliable doneness.
- Don’t overbake the fish. Flounder is delicate and can become dry when left in the oven too long.
- Thaw frozen flounder first when possible. Thawed fillets release less excess moisture and give you better control over the final texture.
More Seafood Recipes
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Baked Flounder Recipe
Ingredients
For the Fish
- 4 flounder fillets, or sole fish (2 pounds total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
For the Sauce
- 2 medium cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ⅓ cup coarse fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, finely chopped, for serving (try tarragon for another fresh flavor option)
- 4 slices or wedges of lemon, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly pat the fish with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Grease a shallow baking dish, cast-iron skillet, or baking sheet with a bit of butter. Place the flounder fish fillets in the baking dish in an even layer and rub with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes.
- Combine garlic, lemon juice, zest, and butter in a small bowl. Pour the lemon-butter mixture over the fish. Sprinkle the flounder fish with bread crumbs.
- Bake for 15-25 minutes or until the fish is cooked and the topping is golden. Cooking time varies slightly depending on the thickness of the fillets. Bake until the fish is cooked through and flakes with a fork.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley (or tarragon) and serve with fresh lemon wedges. After plating the fish- spoon sauce from the baking dish on top of the fish.
Notes
- Pat the fillets dry before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps the seasoning and breadcrumb topping adhere to the fish.
- Pay attention to the thickness of the fillets. Thin pieces can cook several minutes faster than thicker ones, so begin checking early.
- Use an instant-read thermometer. The thickest part of the fish should reach 145°F for reliable doneness.
- Don’t overbake the fish. Flounder is delicate and can become dry when left in the oven too long.
- Thaw frozen flounder first when possible. Thawed fillets release less excess moisture and give you better control over the final texture.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is an amazing, simple, and quick recipe loaded with flavor. My family loves it.
Yay! SO happy everyone loved this simple recipe.
This meal was so good! Will be making again soon! No notes.
Yay! Happy you love. You’ll may also love all the other cod and salmon recipes on my website. Enjoy!
Awesome and easy! My non-fish-loving husband was very happy!
Yay! So happy he loved this easy and tasty recipe!
This was an amazing recipe. I made it tonight and my husband loved it ๐
Yay! We love it, too, for its simple and fresh taste.
I made this today and loved it! Itโs only my second time cooking flounder, and I loved the addition of the breadcrumbs especially. Thank you!
Yes! The breadcrumbs add a special touch!
My favorite way to enjoy white fish! I use Tilapia for this recipe too.
I used talapia with the garlic butter sauce fish recipe. The recipe was super easy to make & so delicious!
Our side dish was roasted red potatoes & broccoli, Italian tomatoes salad with garlic toast.
Thank you, Elena!
Yes! I’ve made with tilapia and it is equally yummy. Happy you loved it.