Pan-Seared Tilapia with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Herbed Couscous (25-Minute Weeknight)
Bright, glossy fillets seared until edges are golden and finished with a silky lemon-garlic butter that coats each bite. The couscous cooks quickly in savory broth, then is fluffed with fresh herbs and lemon for a light, tender bed beneath the fish.
Swap ingredients to suit the fridge: use cod, haddock, or sole instead of the listed white fish, and swap vegetable broth for chicken broth to keep this vegetarian-friendly (omit fish). For a grain swap, substitute Israeli (pearl) couscous or quinoa — adjust liquid and cooking time accordingly. For more concentrated flavor, brown the butter a touch before adding garlic for a nutty finish.
Serve this skillet meal for busy weeknights, informal dinners, or a light weekend lunch. Pair with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans and a wedge of lemon. Leftovers refrigerate up to 2 days (store fish and couscous separately); gently reheat on low to avoid drying the fillets.
How to Make It
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1
Bring broth to a simmer in a small saucepan. Stir in couscous and 1/4 tsp salt, cover, and remove from heat; let sit 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and stir in 1 tbsp butter (optional), half the lemon zest, and half the parsley.
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2
Pat fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with 3/4 tsp salt and the black pepper.
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3
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large nonstick or stainless-steel skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
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4
Add fillets, presentation side down first, and cook 2–3 minutes without moving until edges are opaque and a golden crust forms. Flip and cook 1–2 minutes more until just cooked through (fish should flake easily). Transfer fillets to a warm plate and tent loosely with foil.
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5
Reduce heat to medium and add 1 tbsp olive oil plus 2 tbsp butter to the same skillet. When butter melts, add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant (do not let garlic brown).
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6
Stir in lemon juice and the remaining lemon zest and scrape any browned bits from the pan to make a quick pan sauce. Remove from heat.
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7
Return fillets to the skillet briefly, spooning lemon-garlic butter over each to glaze, about 30 seconds.
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8
Divide couscous among plates or a shallow serving platter. Top with fillets and spoon extra pan sauce over the fish. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
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9
Store leftover fish and couscous separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator up to 2 days; reheat gently to avoid drying the fillets.