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Baked Lemon Garlic Swordfish – easy, elegant seafood recipe!  – mild baked fish drizzled with a delicious lemony garlic butter sauce.

black bowl with Baked Lemon Garlic Swordfish drizzled with butter sauce and capers

​I’m always game to try a new seafood recipe at home. That means the mistakes happen in my kitchen – not yours.

By the time you’re seeing this easy swordfish recipe, it’s been tested, retested and ready for any level home cook.

Simple ingredients, quick cooking time, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner and a great option for entertaining.

overhead view Baked Lemon Garlic Swordfish in skillet

WHAT I LOVE BEST ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

  • Oven-baked swordfish is quick, easy and delicious with minimal effort.
  • Cooking seafood at home costs way less than what you’ll pay in a restaurant.
  • The lemon butter sauce sauce gives this meaty fish a pop of bright flavor.
  • The finished dish is restaurant quality – a perfect dish for entertaining – and a fast, treat-yourself meal on a busy weeknight.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Are swordfish fillets good eating fish? Yes – swordfish is a delicious white fish with a firm texture is similar to chicken and can take on the flavors you give it, like lemon, garlic and fresh herbs.

Do I have to bake swordfish? No – you can grill or cook it completely on the stove.

Is swordfish healthy? Yes. It’s packed with protein and vitamins D and E. It’s low in calories and a good source of omega-3 fats – good for heart health.

Why is my swordfish rubbery? It’s probably overcooked. 

Should I bring swordfish to room temperature before cooking? Yes – remove from the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. It lets the fish cook more evenly.

What’s the right amount of swordfish for two people? Plan 6-8 ounces of fresh swordfish per person.

How do I know when swordfish is done? When it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees on a meat thermometer and flakes easily with a fork.

HOW TO MAKE BAKED LEMON GARLIC SWORDFISH:

First, buy fresh fresh fish from a reputable fish market or seafood counter in a grocery store that has a good reputation for freshness.

Mix up the lemon butter sauce in a small bowl and set it aside for now. I’m using fresh dill in this recipe but you can change up with other herbs too. 

Pat the fish dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture then give it a good seasoning of salt and black pepper on both sides.

Place swordfish in a hot, oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat, sear on both sides then finish it off in a hot oven. Cooking time is fast – only takes a few minutes. Watch you don’t overcook it or it’ll be dry. cooking time.

When it’s done baking, spoon some of that delicious garlic butter sauce over the top top of the swordfish and serve it with an extra lemon slices or lemon wedges.

skillet with Baked Lemon Garlic Swordfish being drizzled with garlic butter

WHAT TO SERVE WITH BAKED LEMON GARLIC SWORDFISH:

There are many sides that’ll go great with swordfish including the ones below that readers love:

overhead view black bowl with creamy parmesan rice and forkful
Bright green air fryer roasted broccoli in black bowl
how to cook green beans - shown on white plate garnished with lemon slice.
overhead view - loaded air fryer bakes potatoes

HOW TO SAFELY STORE LEFTOVER SWORDFISH:

Cool fish completely then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge no more than 3 days.

SUBS, TIPS AND VARIATIONS TO THIS RECIPE:

  • Use swordfish steaks or fillets in this recipe. 
  • Switch up herbs: fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, oregano (or a mix) instead of dill. 
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little kick to the sauce.
  • Substitute 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder for garlic cloves.
  • Grate lemon zest into the sauce for an extra pop of lemon flavor.
  • If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, sear the fish then transfer it to a baking dish or baking sheet.

Enjoy!

Pinterest pin showing baked lemon garlic swordfish
black bowl with baked lemon garlic swordfish drizzled with garlic butter served with rice and broccoli

Best Baked Swordfish!

This is a quick, easy recipe for delicious, restaurant quality Baked Swordfish with a lemon garlic butter sauce that takes this mild fish from great to amazing! Weeknight or weekend – this is a must-make!
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine seafood
Servings 2
Calories

Equipment

  • large oven safe skillet *OR* sear fish and transfer to baking dish

Ingredients
  

The Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons butter softened
  • 2 small garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill removed from stems and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon capers

The Swordfish:

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 6-8 ounce swordfish fillets about 1" thick)
  • sea salt and black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Blend softened butter, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, fresh thyme and juice from one wedge of the lemon in a small bowl then stir in capers and set aside.
  • Heat olive oil in a large oven-proof skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Place swordfish into the skillet and sear 2 minutes per side or until light golden brown.
  • Spoon reserved butter mixture over the top of each swordfish fillet dividing it equally then transfer fish to a preheated oven.
  • Bake 5 minutes or until cooked to an internal temperature of 145 degrees (fish should flake easily – do not overcook or fish will be dry).
  • Remove skillet from the oven, spoon some of the garlic butter sauce over the top and serve right away with extra lemon slices or wedges.
Keyword swordfish, best swordfish recipe, fish, lemon garlic swordfish, baked lemon garlic swordfish, seafood recipe, baked swordfish
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
5 from 1 vote

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