Flounder is a popular white fish with a delicate, mild flavor. In this article, we’ll explore three popular cooking methods: oven, pan, and air fryer, along with valuable tips to ensure your flounder doesn’t taste fishy.
1. How To Cook Flounder in Oven
Ingredients
- 4 flounder fillets
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges, for serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Place the flounder fillets in the prepared baking dish, making sure they are not overlapping.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, lemon juice, minced garlic, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
Pour the butter mixture over the flounder fillets, making sure to evenly coat each piece.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the flounder is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets, so adjust accordingly.
Once the flounder is cooked, remove it from the oven. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Serve the baked flounder hot, accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish. It pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.
2. How To Cook Flounder on Stove
Ingredients
- 2 flounder fillets
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
Season both sides of the flounder fillets with salt and pepper. Lightly dust the fillets with flour, shaking off any excess.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the flounder fillets to the skillet, ensuring they have enough space between them.
Cook the flounder fillets for about 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are golden brown and cooked through. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets. Be careful not to overcook the fish, as it can become dry.
Remove the cooked flounder fillets from the skillet and set them aside on a plate.
In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
Pour in the lemon juice and stir well, scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Cook for an additional minute to allow the flavors to meld together.
Remove the skillet from heat and pour the lemon butter sauce over the cooked flounder fillets.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
Serve the flounder fillets hot, accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish. It pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.
3. How To Cook Flounder in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 flounder fillets
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Grated Parmesan cheese for serving (optional)
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).Season both sides of the flounder fillets with kosher salt and black pepper.In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, paprika, and Italian seasoning.Dip each flounder fillet into the butter mixture, making sure to coat both sides thoroughly.Place the coated flounder fillets in a single layer in the air fryer basket.Cook the flounder fillets in the air fryer for about 8-10 minutes, or until they are cooked through and flaky. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the fillets.Once cooked, remove the flounder fillets from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes.Sprinkle the fillets with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.Serve the Air Fryer Flounder Fillets hot, garnished with fresh chopped parsley and accompanied by lemon wedges for squeezing over the fish.
With proper handling and cooking, flounder stays tender and tastes fresh from oven to skillet to air fryer. I hope that after reading this article, you can to cook delicious flounder fillets any night of the week.
