Baked Flounder Recipe
Our baked flounder recipe is an easy dinner that goes from prep to table in under 30 minutes. The fish is buttery, flaky, and full of fresh citrus and garlic flavors.
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John and I are big fans of quick and easy dishes that use fresh herbs, citrus, and spices to add flavor without a lot of fuss. Baked flounder with lemon garlic and butter is one of those meals. The flounder is baked in a lemon butter sauce filled with fresh garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
Then the fish gets sprinkled with smoked paprika for an extra touch. Flounder is a light, white fish that flakes beautifully and pairs well with vegetables or salad for an easy dinner. Much like our oven baked mahi mahi, Chilean sea bass, lemon pepper flounder and baked cod with panko, this recipe comes together quickly and bakes up in no time! I love that it bakes in one pan, so cleanup is super easy.
We chose to season the flounder with a savory lemon garlic butter and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. The light flavors pair well with flaky white fish without being heavy or overwhelming. Serve this with your favorite sides for an easy dinner the whole family will eat.
If you like this flounder recipe, don’t miss our baked barramundi and blackened red snapper.
How to Cook Flounder
- Start by preheating the oven, and buttering a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Set aside. Since the fish is usually on the thinner side and it’s delicate, we bake it on a lower temperature of 325°F.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Please use freshly squeezed lemon juice and not imitation.
- Pat the fish fillets dry with a paper towel, and check for any small bones. Lay the fillets in the prepared baking dish. It’s okay to overlap the fish along the edges if it doesn’t fit in an even layer.
- Pour the lemon butter mixture over the fish. Sprinkle the flounder with smoked paprika, and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the fillets flake easily with a fork. Depending on the thickness of the fish, it may need to bake it for a couple extra minutes. You’ll know the flounder is done when it reaches 140°F to 145°F on an instant read thermometer.
- Serve the baked flounder immediately with a drizzle of the lemon butter and garlic, extra lemon wedges, fresh vegetables, or a side salad.
What goes with baked flounder?
Baked flounder goes great with lighter side dishes. Here are some favorites:
- Roasted Potatoes
- Oven Roasted Broccoli
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
How do you bake fish without drying it out?
Make sure to cook the fish at the correct time and temperature for the variety that you’re baking. Although, most fish varieties cook at similar oven temperatures, they can vary slightly.
The thickness and texture of the fish is also important. Less oily fish tend to dry out more easily than fattier fish like salmon or sea bass.
Can you use frozen fillets for baked flounder?
We used frozen fillets that had been thawed all the way and patted dry. We don’t recommend using completely frozen fillets. Fresh fillets are the best bet if you’re able to locate them.
Do you have to use a lemon garlic and butter sauce?
No, there are a ton of ways to flavor flounder. You can also use olive oil, salt, and pepper with some fresh lemon juice at the end. Anything that’s light and flavorful will work well without overpowering the fish.
If you want a spicy fish recipe, try our blackening seasoning and make oven baked blackened flounder.
Other Fish Recipes to Add to the Menu
How to Video
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons garlic cloves, minced or pressed (about 3 small cloves)
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 pound flounder fillets, patted dry with paper towels
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F, and butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Set aside.4 tablespoons unsalted butter2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice2 teaspoons garlic cloves½ teaspoon salt¼ teaspoon black pepper¼ teaspoon onion powder
- Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel, then place them in the prepared baking dish. Pour the butter mixture over the fillets. Sprinkle smoked paprika over the top.1 pound flounder fillets½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes (may need a few more minutes for thick fillets), or until the flounder flakes easily with a fork.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley and lemon. Serve hot with a salad or steamed veggies.
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of ¼ pound of flounder. Actual calories will vary.
- If you cook the fish straight out of the freezer, you’ll end up with super watery fish due to the added solution. It can get watery from not thawing it out completely, too.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. Reheat on a low temperature setting in the oven to warm through.
Easy and delicious!
Thank you LL!
Made recipe exact. For me it was too much garlic, butter and salt. I felt the seasonings overpowered this delicate fish.
Thank you for letting us know Marcia. We understand that not everyone enjoys seasonings as much as we do. Have a nice day 🙂
This is a truly delicious and easy recipe. I used frozen flounder filets fully defrosted that I brined for 10 minutes then dried thoroughly with paper towels. I served with cherry tomatoes that baked along with the fish, fresh avocado slices and boiled mini Yukon gold potatoes. The lemon butter pan sauce is delicious drizzled over the fish and the boiled potatoes when served. This is a genius, easy and delicious recipe after a busy day. We love fish so I use more than a pound of flounder for 4 people.
Thank you Glenna! That sounds like a wonderful dinner. Thank you again for commenting and rating the recipe. Have a lovely day!
Trying this tonight! Just wanted to thank you for including the ingredients with each instruction step. I don’t know why more folks don’t do this. I hate having to continuously scroll up for ingredient amounts! Smart move what you’ve done!
Thank you Jane! Kim and I hope you enjoy the flounder. We try to make things as easy as possible for our readers. Thank you again for commenting and rating the recipe. Have a lovely day 🙂
Thanks for sharing this. It had been so long since I cooked. It was honestly so good that I cried.
Thank you for commenting and rating the recipe! Kim and I are glad you enjoyed the baked flounder. Have an awesome day 🙂
Great basic recipe for baked flounder. Served with spinach and baked sweet potatoes.
Thanks so much, Carrie! Spinach and sweet potatoes are great sides for this dish. We’re happy you enjoyed it. Have a wonderful evening! 🙂
Made it tonight and my husband loved it.
Glad to hear it, thank you Brenda!
Had this tonight! I added a light layer of Panko to the top. My husband likes a little crunch. Was delicious! Served with garlicky couscous, sauted vegetables and a nice mixed salad. Spooned the pan juices over the couscous. Yum! Nothing but a delicious memory now. Thank you for sharing
Thank you Cathy, Kim and I are thrilled you and your husband enjoyed the flounder. That sounds like a wonderful meal! Have a lovely day 🙂
My husband and I had this for dinner tonight and we were not impressed with the flavors. I think we will stay with the bolder flavors of blackened seasoning.
Hi Gebbie!
Blackened seasoning would taste great. Hope that works out better for you. Have a wonderful week! 🙂
This was great! Made it, ate some and added the rest to a seafood casserole with
other seafood!
In the oven now! I never bake fish for my hubby of 35 years and he is so excited!
Hi Debbie!
We hope you and your husband enjoy it! It’s one of our favorites. Have a wonderful evening! 🙂
Delicious! We just had this for a late lunch/early supper and loved it. Definitely a “keeper” recipe!
Hi Edee!
That’s fantastic! We’re so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for giving it a try and coming back to comment. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Made this for my husband, and he enjoyed it so much that he wants me to cook it twice a week. It was delicious!
Thank you Ann! We’re glad you and your husband enjoyed the flounder. Have a lovely day 🙂