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Buttery Lemon Garlic Swordfish: A Restaurant-Quality Dish at Home

A buttery, tender swordfish dish infused with bright lemon and savory garlic flavors. This elegant yet simple preparation delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, perfect for a special dinner that's ready in under 30 minutes.
 
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Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon Garlic Mixture:
  • 2 TB salted butter softened to room temp
  • 1 TB freshly chopped chives
  • 2 TB garlic cloves minced
  • ⅛ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 TB juice from fresh lemon
  • 1 TB grated lemon peel
For the Fish:
  • 2 TB olive oil
  • 2 swordfish fillets 1-inch thick, about 6-7 oz each
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F with rack on middle position. In a small pan, combine all Lemon Garlic Mixture ingredients and stir to fully combine. Set aside. This mixture will create a flavorful sauce that will elevate the natural flavors of the swordfish.
  2. Prepare the Fish: Use paper towels to pat-dry all excess moisture from the swordfish fillets. Evenly sprinkle both sides of fillets with pinches of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside. Proper drying ensures a better sear on the fish, while the seasoning will enhance the flavor of the swordfish.
  3. Sear the Swordfish: In a large, oven-proof pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once oil is hot, add the swordfish fillets to pan and let cook until browned on one side, about 3 minutes (do not move fish around much). The searing process creates a delicious crust on the exterior while locking in moisture.
  4. Finish in Oven: Carefully flip fish fillets over to the other side, turn stove off, and immediately transfer pan into hot oven. Let fish roast about 5-6 minutes or just until the top is golden and center is just cooked through. Take care not to overcook. This gentle finishing method ensures the fish cooks evenly while remaining moist and tender.
  5. Prepare Sauce and Serve: A minute before fish is done cooking in oven, cook small pan of prepared lemon-garlic mixture over medium-high heat, constantly stirring, just until melted and bubbly. Immediately turn heat off and pour mixture over the cooked fish. Be sure to pour on any juices from the swordfish pan as well. The warm lemon-garlic sauce will coat the fish with rich flavor and a beautiful finish.

Notes

  • Swordfish is best cooked to medium (just until opaque throughout) to maintain moisture and tenderness.
  • For best results, bring swordfish to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
  • Fresh swordfish should have firm, moist flesh with a fresh, mild ocean smell.
  • This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted asparagus, steamed broccoli, or a light arugula salad.
  • Substitute other firm white fish like halibut or mahi-mahi if swordfish isn't available.