Swordfish with Lemon Garlic Butter

Name: Swordfish with Lemon Garlic Butter
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 2 tbsp butter, softened to room temperature; 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped; 2 tbsp garlic cloves, minced fine; 0.25 tsp kosher salt; 0.13 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, from 1/2 lemon; 1 tbsp lemon zest, finely grated; 2 tbsp olive oil, for searing; 2 swordfish steaks, 1-inch thick and skin removed; kosher salt, for seasoning; freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning

Swordfish Steaks with Golden Lemon-Herb Butter — Perfectly Seared and Oven-Finished

Thick swordfish steaks get a beautiful golden crust on the stovetop, then finish cooking gently in the oven while an aromatic lemon-garlic butter comes together. The meaty fish stays tender inside, and that bright, herby butter transforms every bite into something special.

MediterraneanDinnerGluten FreeKetoLow CarbHigh ProteinQuick MealsDate NightSeafoodFish

Prep10 min

Cook10 min

Total20 min

Servings2

Difficultymedium

Ingredients

Lemon Garlic Mixture

2 tbspbutter, softened to room temperature
1 tbspfresh chives, finely chopped
2 tbspgarlic cloves, minced fine
¼ tspkosher salt
⅛ tspfreshly ground black pepper
1 tbspfresh lemon juice, from 1/2 lemon
1 tbsplemon zest, finely grated

Fish

2 tbspolive oil, for searing
2 swordfish steaks, 1-inch thick and skin removed
kosher salt, for seasoning
freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning

Instructions

Get your oven preheating to 400°F with the rack positioned in the center. Meanwhile, mash together all the lemon garlic mixture ingredients in a small bowl until well combined — this compound butter will be your finishing touch.
Thoroughly dry the swordfish steaks with paper towels, pressing firmly to remove all surface moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper, pressing the seasoning into the flesh.
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Carefully lay the swordfish steaks in the pan and let them sear undisturbed for 3 minutes — resist the urge to peek or move them around.
⏱ 3 min
Flip the steaks to reveal that golden-brown crust, then immediately turn off the burner and slide the entire skillet into the preheated oven.
Roast for 5-6 minutes until the fish feels firm but still gives slightly when pressed, and the center is just opaque. Swordfish can go from perfect to overcooked quickly, so check at 5 minutes.
⏱ 6 min
During the final minute of roasting, warm the lemon-garlic butter mixture in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it melts into a fragrant, bubbly sauce. Remove from heat immediately.
⏱ 1 min
Spoon the warm lemon-garlic butter over the finished swordfish steaks, making sure to capture any flavorful pan juices. Serve immediately while the butter is still sizzling.