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Grouper Piccata – Easy Recipe

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Growing up and living in the Tampa Bay area, seafood is always on the menu!  This recipe is one of my favorite ways to prepare fish, it is easy to make and so delicious. Grouper is a wonderful fish that is mild with a flaky texture, making it ideal for a light lemony sauce. 

There is a white plate with a bed of pasta, a piece of white fish with capers on it and stalks of asparagus. There is a gray cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white surface. this …

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4

Preparation Level: Beginner +

​Why I Love This Recipe

Delicious Flavor – The tangy lemon and caper sauce complements the mild taste of grouper.

Healthy – Grouper is a lean source of protein and filled with vitamins.

Quick and Easy – This recipe takes little time to prepare and cook, making it perfect for busy nights.

Ingredients

There is a white plate with pieces of raw grouper on it. There are several bowls with ingredients in them: flour, olive oil, capers, flour, white wine. butter, and salt and pepper. There is a whole lemon, a clove of garlic, and sprigs of parsley. Items are on a white surface.

What You Will Need

  • White fish fillets – grouper, sea bass, or tilapia are the most popular used. (see FAQ’s)
  • All-purpose flour
  • ​Salt and pepper
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Lemon zest
  • Fresh minced garlic
  • Dry white wine – sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or chardonnay (see FAQ’s)
  • Butter – unsalted
  • Capers 
  • ​Optional garnishes – lemon slices and chopped fresh parsley
There is a white plate with a bed of pasta, a piece of white fish with capers on it and stalks of asparagus. There is a fork with a piece of the fish on it. There is a gray cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white surface.

How To Make

There are two white plates. One plate has a piece of raw white fish on it, the other plate has a flour coated piece of raw fish on it. Plates are on a white surface.
There is a large gray skillet with oil and two pieces of raw fish coated in flour.
  • Rinse the fish and pat dry with a paper towel. 
  • Season the fillets with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  
  • Dredge fillets in the flour to coat and shake off the excess flour.
  • Place fish in the heated skillet.  
There is a large gray skillet with oil and 2 pieces of fish cooking.
There is a large gray skillet with oil, minced garlic, and lemon zest in it. There is a wooden spoon resting in the skillet.
  • Cook fillets until fish has turned opaque and is golden brown flipping halfway through. Transfer fish to a warm serving platter.
  • Add lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, and white wine to the drippings in the skillet.  
There is large gray skillet with olive oil, minced garlic, wine and butter in it.
There is a large gray skillet with two pieces of fish cooking in a clear sauce with capers.
  • Simmer until the sauce cooks down by half, stirring constantly and scraping up any brown bits in the skillet.  Stir in the butter and capers. Heat until the butter melts, stirring constantly.
  • Return the fish fillets to the skillet.  Cook a few minutes, until the fish flakes easily.  
There is a white plate with a bed of pasta, a piece of white fish with capers and a slice of lemon on it and stalks of asparagus. The plate is on a white surface.
  •  Place grouper fillets on serving plates and spoon the sauce over the top and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.

For complete measurements and cooking time, see the recipe card below.

What To Serve With Fish Piccata

For a complete quick weeknight dinner, serve grouper piccata on a bed of rice or pasta and a hot vegetable like steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen fish fillets?

For best results, use fresh fish but you can substitute frozen fillets. Completely thaw the fillets before cooking.

​What can I substitute for white wine?

Both chicken broth and vegetable broth are great substitutions for white wine in a lemon caper sauce.

​Can I use this piccata sauce recipe with chicken?

​Absolutely! Check out my delicious chicken piccata recipe. It’s easy and light.

I hope you enjoy this recipe and happy cooking! Cheers, Laura Belle

Yield: 4 servings

Grouper Piccata - Easy Recipe

There is a white plate with a bed of pasta, a piece of white fish with capers on it and stalks of asparagus. There is a gray cloth napkin laying next to the plate. Items are on a white surface.

This is one of my favorite ways to prepare fish, it is easy to make and so delicious. Grouper is a wonderful fish that is mild with a flaky texture, making it ideal for a light lemony sauce. 

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1-pound grouper fillets
  • A dash of salt and black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh lemon juice - half of a lemon
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ​1 clove garlic - minced
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine - sauvignon blanc, pinot grigio, or chardonnay
  • 4 tablespoons of butter - unsalted and at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons capers - drained
  • Optional garnishes - lemon slices and chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Rinse the fish and pat dry with a paper towel. 
  2. Season the fillets with a pinch of salt and black pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.  
  4. Add the flour to a shallow dish.
  5. Dredge fillets in the flour mixture to coat and shake off the excess flour.
  6. Place fish in the heated skillet.  
  7. Cook fillets until fish has turned opaque and is golden brown approximately 2-3 minutes on each side. Transfer fish to a warm serving platter.
  8. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, and white wine to the drippings in the skillet.  
  9. Simmer until the pan sauce is reduced by half, stirring constantly.  Stir in the butter and capers.
  10.  Heat until the butter melts, stirring constantly.  
  11. Return the fish fillets to the skillet.  Cook for 2 to 3 minutes or until the fish flakes easily.  
  12. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.  Place the fish on serving plates and spoon the sauce over the top.

Notes

For a complete quick weeknight dinner, serve grouper piccata on a bed of rice or pasta and a hot vegetable like steamed broccoli or roasted Brussels sprouts.

Fresh or frozen fish fillets can be used.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 512Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 84mgSodium: 349mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 31g

Did you make this recipe?

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© Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen
Cuisine: Italian / Category: Seafood

Paula

Monday 5th of August 2024

I love fish and seafood. But, I've never had grouper before. This dish sounds delightful. Visiting today from SSPS 321 #92&93.

Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen

Monday 5th of August 2024

Hi Paula! Grouper is such a delicious mild fish. I hope you get to taste it one day. Any mild fish can work in this recipe. Thanks so much for the comment and happy cooking! Cheers, Laura

Esmé Slabbert

Friday 2nd of August 2024

Looking amazing, love a thick fillet type of fish. Thanks so much for participating and sharing at SSPS 321. See you again next week at #322 https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/

Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen

Monday 5th of August 2024

Thank you Esme´! See you at #322! Laura

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