Sole Meuniere
A classic French bistro staple featuring delicate, pan-seared fish fillets bathed in a vibrant, nutty brown butter sauce with fresh lemon and parsley.
Ingredients
- •4 sole or flounder fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- •1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- •1 teaspoon kosher salt
- •1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- •6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- •2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- •3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- •2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- •Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- 1
Pat the fish fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crisp crust.
- 2
In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Dredge each fillet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess so only a very thin coating remains.
- 4
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- 5
Once the butter is foaming, add two fillets to the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown and the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- 6
Remove the fish to a warm platter and repeat with the remaining fillets, adding a little more oil if necessary.
- 7
Wipe out the skillet and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- 8
Cook the butter, swirling the pan occasionally, until it turns a light golden brown and smells nutty, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- 9
Immediately remove the pan from the heat and stir in the lemon juice and chopped parsley.
- 10
Pour the brown butter sauce over the fish fillets and serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.
💡 Chef tips
- Use a high-quality butter for the sauce, as the flavor is the centerpiece of the dish.
- Watch the butter closely during the browning stage; it can go from nutty brown to burnt in a matter of seconds.
- If you cannot find sole, any thin, mild white fish like flounder or plaice works perfectly.
✅ How it should turn out
The finished dish features golden, crispy-edged fillets topped with a fragrant, nutty brown butter sauce that tastes bright, buttery, and perfectly balanced with fresh lemon.