Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock: Easy Weeknight Seafood Magic

Are you tired of serving the same bland fish dishes that leave your family unimpressed? I understand the struggle of wanting to incorporate more seafood into your diet without sacrificing flavor or spending hours in the kitchen. This Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock recipe transforms an ordinary weeknight into something magical delivering restaurant-quality results with minimal effort!

As the creator behind GusRecipes, I’ve perfected this buttery haddock dish through countless test kitchen trials. What began as a simple experiment has become one of my family’s most requested meals. I’m thrilled to share these seafood secrets that make weeknight cooking both easy and extraordinary.

In this guide, you’ll discover how to select the perfect haddock fillets, create a velvety garlic butter sauce that complements rather than overwhelms the fish, master the quick cooking technique, and explore delicious serving suggestions that complete the meal.

Why This Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock Recipe Works

• Uses budget-friendly haddock that’s widely available year-round
• Requires just 20 minutes from start to finish perfect for busy weeknights
• Features everyday pantry ingredients you likely already have on hand
• Creates a restaurant-quality meal that impresses without the complexity
• Offers a foolproof method that works even for seafood cooking beginners

Choosing the Right Haddock for Creamy Garlic Butter Success

Best Cuts for This Haddock Recipe

Fresh haddock fillets work beautifully in this recipe because of their mild, slightly sweet flavor and firm texture that holds up well to the rich butter sauce. Look for center-cut fillets that are approximately 1-inch thick for the most consistent cooking results.

Buying Tips for Haddock

When selecting haddock, freshness is key. The fillets should have:

• A clean, mild scent (never fishy)
• Firm, translucent flesh
• Moist appearance without excessive liquid
• No discoloration or darkening around the edges

If fresh haddock isn’t available, high-quality frozen fillets work wonderfully just ensure they’re completely thawed before cooking.

Substitutions for Haddock

If haddock isn’t accessible in your area, this creamy garlic butter preparation works equally well with:

• Cod (slightly milder flavor)
• Pollock (more economical option)
• Halibut (more premium option with firmer texture)
• Tilapia (thinner fillets, so reduce cooking time)

Ingredients & Prep for Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock

Haddock Prep Essentials

Before cooking, ensure your haddock is ready for the garlic butter treatment:

• Pat fillets completely dry with paper towels (crucial for proper browning)
• Check for any remaining pin bones and remove with tweezers
• Allow fish to come to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking
• Season both sides with salt and pepper just before cooking

Creamy Garlic Butter Ingredients

- 1½ lbs fresh haddock fillets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for cooking

Pantry Staples for Enhanced Flavor

The magic of this recipe lies in building layers of flavor with simple ingredients:

• High-quality butter creates the luxurious base
• Fresh garlic provides aromatic depth (don’t substitute powdered)
• Lemon juice brightens and balances the richness
• Heavy cream creates the velvety sauce texture
• Fresh herbs add color and complexity

Step-by-Step Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock Cooking Instructions

Pre-Cooking Haddock Prep

1. Remove haddock from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking
2. Pat fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels
3. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and a light dusting of paprika
4. Have all sauce ingredients measured and ready (mise en place)

Cooking Method for Haddock

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil
2. Place haddock fillets in the pan, presentation side down
3. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until golden crust forms
4. Carefully flip fillets and cook for 2-3 more minutes
5. Remove fish to a warm plate and tent with foil

Creating the Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

1. Reduce heat to medium-low
2. Add butter to the same pan and melt completely
3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant (don’t brown)
4. Pour in lemon juice and stir, scraping up any browned bits
5. Add heavy cream, stir to combine, and simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened
6. Return haddock to the pan, spooning sauce over fillets
7. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve immediately

Resting and Serving Haddock

While fish generally doesn’t require extensive resting like meat, allowing the haddock to rest in the warm sauce for 1-2 minutes helps the flavors meld beautifully. Serve directly from the pan or transfer to warmed plates, making sure to drizzle plenty of the creamy garlic butter sauce over each portion.

Pro Tips for Perfect Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock

Avoiding Dry or Overcooked Haddock

• Watch for visual cues: the fish will turn from translucent to opaque and flake easily with a fork
• Don’t overcook fish continues cooking slightly after being removed from heat
• If using thinner fillets, reduce cooking time accordingly
• Keep sauce at a gentle simmer, never a rapid boil
• Use a non-stick or well-seasoned cast iron pan for best results

Tool Recommendations

• Wide fish spatula makes flipping delicate fillets much easier
• Instant-read thermometer (fish is done at 145°F)
• Heavy-bottomed skillet provides even heat distribution
• Microplane for finely grating garlic (creates more aromatic flavor)

Storage & Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container with sauce for up to 2 days
• Reheat gently in a covered skillet over low heat
• Add a splash of water or cream when reheating to refresh the sauce

Looking for more cooking inspiration? Find my complete collection of seafood recipes and weeknight dinner ideas on Pinterest. Follow along for seasonal recipes, kitchen tips, and beautiful food photography!

Flavor Variations for Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock

Herb-Forward Version

For an herb-lover’s variation, increase the fresh herbs and add variety:

• Add 1 tablespoon fresh dill
• Include 1 teaspoon tarragon
• Finish with extra herb garnish for visual appeal

Lemon-Caper Twist

This Mediterranean-inspired variation adds bright, briny notes:

• Add 1 tablespoon rinsed capers to the sauce
• Increase lemon juice to 3 tablespoons
• Include 1 teaspoon lemon zest for enhanced citrus flavor

Creamy Dijon Adaptation

For a subtle tang that complements the garlic butter beautifully:

• Add 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard to the cream
• Include 1 tablespoon chopped shallots with the garlic
• Finish with a pinch of white pepper

Serving Suggestions for Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock

This versatile dish pairs beautifully with both simple and elevated sides:

Starchy Sides

• Fluffy jasmine rice to soak up the delicious sauce
• Creamy mashed potatoes for ultimate comfort
• Crusty artisan bread for sauce-dipping
• Lemon-herb quinoa for a healthier option

Vegetable Pairings

• Roasted asparagus spears
• Sautéed green beans with slivered almonds
• Simple side salad with lemon vinaigrette
• Roasted cherry tomatoes with herbs

Beverage Pairings

• Chilled Pinot Grigio or unoaked Chardonnay
• Sparkling water with lemon
• Crisp cucumber-mint infused water

FAQs About Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock

Can I use frozen haddock fillets?

Yes, but thaw them completely in the refrigerator overnight and pat thoroughly dry before cooking. Frozen-then-thawed fish releases more moisture, so you may need to cook it slightly longer to achieve the same results.

How can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Replace butter with olive oil or a plant-based butter alternative, and substitute full-fat coconut cream for the heavy cream. The flavor profile will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.

How do I know when the haddock is perfectly cooked?

Perfectly cooked haddock turns from translucent to opaque white and flakes easily when tested with a fork. If using a thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 145°F at the thickest part.

Can I prepare this dish in advance for a dinner party?

This recipe is best enjoyed fresh, but you can prep all ingredients ahead of time. For a dinner party, prepare the fish through the initial cooking stage, then complete the sauce and final heating just before serving.

Final Thoughts on Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock

This Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock recipe proves that exceptional seafood doesn’t require complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. The luxurious butter sauce transforms simple fish fillets into a memorable meal that feels special enough for company yet easy enough for Tuesday night dinner.

I hope this recipe brings a little seafood magic to your weeknight routine! When you try it, I’d love to see your results tag @GusRecipes on social media so I can celebrate your cooking success. For more simple yet impressive recipes, be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter where I share seasonal favorites and cooking tips.

Happy cooking!

Creamy Garlic Butter Haddock: Easy Weeknight Seafood Magic

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• Author: Emma Emma
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Tender haddock fillets cooked in a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce  a comforting, restaurant-quality dish that’s simple enough for a weeknight meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

4 haddock fillets (about 6 oz each)

2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp butter

4 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 tbsp chopped parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Pat haddock fillets dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

3. Add the haddock and cook for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. Pour in the heavy cream and stir in Parmesan cheese and lemon juice.

6. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.

7. Return the haddock to the skillet and spoon sauce over the fillets.

8. Simmer for another minute, garnish with parsley, and serve warm.

Notes

You can substitute haddock with cod or pollock.

Add a handful of spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.

Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.

• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Pan-Seared
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 fillet with sauce
• Calories: 420
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 510mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 14g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 4g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 34g
• Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: creamy haddock, garlic butter fish, easy seafood dinner, creamy white fish recipe