Garlic Butter Baked Flounder Recipe

Cooking fish doesn't have to be a fussy or complicated undertaking, and even the simplest of ingredients can yield incredibly flavorful results. Recipe developer Christina Musgrave knows a thing or two about cooking a simple fish dish, and her garlic butter baked flounder recipe is proof. The method of cooking here — baking — ensures that there's no fuss, no mess, and no worry about the flaky fish falling apart. Meanwhile, the ingredients, including butter, garlic, and fresh basil, ensure that every bite will be loaded with savory goodness.

"My favorite thing about this dish is that it's super easy and only requires dirtying two dishes, so cleanup is a breeze," Musgrave explains. She also happens to enjoy baking the fish, as opposed to grilling it, because it ensures that it cooks perfectly and without hassle. "Baking fish is very easy, and you don't have to worry about it sticking to a pan or grill since you're using an appropriately greased/lined baking dish," she notes. Also, baking the flounder will ensure that it cooks evenly and quickly, so the entire dish will be ready to go in just 20 minutes. For a dinner that's both nutritious and delicious, what more could you ask for?

Another factor that plays into the simplicity of this dish is the fact that you'll only need seven ingredients to make it. Of course, you'll need flounder fillets, butter, and garlic, as the name insinuates. You'll also need chopped parsley, chopped basil, salt, and pepper to round out the dish. Finally, you can optionally chop up some extra basil for serving, along with some lemon wedges. 

Because you'll be baking the flounder, go ahead and start by preheating your oven to 325 F. Also, grease and optionally line a 9x13-inch baking sheet with parchment paper, then lay out each fillet on the sheet. They can overlap a little bit, but make sure that they're mostly in a single layer. 

Now, it's time to make what Musgrave describes as "the star of the dish" — the garlic herb butter. "The special ingredient is the garlic herb butter — it gives the flounder a delicious flavor," she explains.

To make it, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, chopped basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Give the ingredients a good stir, then drizzle the garlic butter all over the flounder fillets, ensuring that each fillet has an even amount. 

Place the fish into the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes — you'll know it's done when each fillet flakes easily with a fork. Optionally, garnish the flounder with more chopped basil and some lemon wedges, then you're ready to serve and enjoy. "This would be delicious with a simple salad, some rice, or a lemony pasta dish," Musgrave suggests, if you're looking to round out the meal.

As for leftovers, Musgrave notes that this flounder is "best consumed right away," but she adds that you can store leftovers and eat them the next day. But, if you serve up this garlic butter flounder for family dinner or at a small dinner party, you won't have to worry about leftovers!