Garlic and fish are a classic pairing that brings out the best in both ingredients.
The pungent, savory notes of garlic enhance the delicate, often mild flavor of fish, creating dishes that are both comforting and exciting.
If you’re searching for “garlic fish recipes,” you’re likely looking for ways to elevate your seafood meals with bold flavors, easy preparation, and perhaps a touch of culinary adventure.
In this collection, we’ve gathered 13 garlic fish recipes that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences.
1. Baked Garlic Butter Salmon
This simple yet flavorful dish features salmon fillets baked with a rich garlic butter sauce, resulting in tender, flaky fish with a deliciously aromatic topping.
Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe requires minimal preparation and delivers maximum taste.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Pour the garlic butter mixture over the salmon fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated.
Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the salmon is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
2. Grilled Garlic Lime Tilapia
Light and zesty, this grilled tilapia is marinated in a garlic-lime mixture that infuses the fish with bright flavors.
It’s an ideal choice for a summer meal and pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad or grilled vegetables.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lime wedges (for serving)
How to Make
In a bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
Place the tilapia fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated. Let the fish marinate for 15-30 minutes.
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Grill the tilapia for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
Serve with lime wedges for an extra burst of citrus.
3. Pan-Seared Garlic Parmesan Cod
This pan-seared cod is coated with a crispy garlic-parmesan crust, offering a delightful contrast to the tender fish.
It’s a quick and elegant dish that’s perfect for a special dinner or when you want to treat yourself to something delicious.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
How to Make
In a shallow dish, combine the grated parmesan, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pat the cod fillets dry and press each side into the parmesan mixture to coat.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cod fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Serve with lemon wedges for a fresh, tangy finish.
4. Garlic and Herb Roasted Trout
Whole trout is roasted with a fragrant mix of garlic and fresh herbs, creating a dish that’s both rustic and sophisticated.
This recipe is perfect for a weekend dinner and can be served with roasted vegetables or a simple green salad.
Ingredients
- 2 whole trout, cleaned
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the trout on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Stuff the cavity of each trout with garlic slices, lemon slices, and fresh herbs. Drizzle the outside of the fish with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Roast for 20-25 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the skin is crispy. Serve immediately.
5. Spicy Garlic Shrimp and Fish Skillet
This one-pan dish combines fish and shrimp in a spicy garlic sauce, making it a hearty and flavorful meal.
It’s quick to prepare and perfect for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their food.
Ingredients
- 2 fish fillets (such as cod or tilapia)
- 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the fish fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until nearly cooked through.
Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque.
Drizzle with lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
6. Garlic Lemon Baked Haddock
Haddock fillets are baked with a simple garlic-lemon marinade, resulting in a light and refreshing dish.
This recipe is perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner and pairs well with steamed vegetables or rice.
Ingredients
- 4 haddock fillets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
How to Make
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the haddock fillets in a baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Pour the mixture over the fish, ensuring each fillet is coated. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
Garnish with lemon slices before serving.
7. Garlic Butter Sautéed Halibut
Halibut is sautéed in a rich garlic butter sauce, creating a dish that’s both luxurious and easy to prepare.
This recipe is perfect for a date night or when you want to indulge in something special.
Ingredients
- 4 halibut fillets
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
How to Make
Season the halibut fillets with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the halibut fillets to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
8. Garlic and Ginger Steamed Fish
This Asian-inspired steamed fish is infused with the flavors of garlic and ginger, resulting in a delicate and aromatic dish.
It’s a healthy option that’s perfect for those who enjoy light, clean flavors.
Ingredients
- 1 whole fish (such as sea bass or snapper), cleaned
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1-inch piece of ginger, julienned
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Fresh cilantro (for garnish)
How to Make
Place the fish on a heatproof plate that fits inside a steamer. Scatter the garlic and ginger slices over the fish.
Drizzle with soy sauce and sesame oil. Steam the fish over boiling water for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. Garnish with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro before serving.
9. Garlic Tomato Poached Fish
Fish fillets are poached in a garlicky tomato sauce, creating a dish that’s both comforting and flavorful.
This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner and can be served with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.
Ingredients
- 4 fish fillets (such as cod or haddock)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil (for garnish)
How to Make
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the diced tomatoes, white wine, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Add the fish fillets to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over them.
Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
10. Garlic and Dill Pan-Fried Salmon
Salmon fillets are pan-fried with a garlic and dill seasoning, creating a crispy exterior and a tender, flavorful interior.
This recipe is quick and easy, making it perfect for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
- 4 salmon fillets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
How to Make
Season the salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the salmon fillets, skin-side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes. Flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
Sprinkle with chopped dill and serve with lemon wedges.
11. Garlic and Rosemary Grilled Swordfish
Swordfish steaks are marinated in a garlic-rosemary mixture and grilled to perfection, resulting in a robust and savory dish.
This recipe is ideal for a barbecue or outdoor gathering.
Ingredients
- 4 swordfish steaks
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
How to Make
In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped rosemary, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
Place the swordfish steaks in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring they are well coated.
Let marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
Grill the swordfish for 4-5 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and has grill marks. Serve immediately.
12. Garlic and Paprika Broiled Tilapia
Tilapia fillets are seasoned with garlic and smoked paprika, then broiled for a quick and flavorful meal.
The smoky spice adds depth to the dish, making it a great option for those who enjoy bold flavors.
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make
Preheat your broiler. Place the tilapia fillets on a baking sheet lined with foil.
In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, smoked paprika, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Brush the mixture over the tilapia fillets.
Broil for 5-7 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
13. Garlic and Coconut Curry Fish
Fish fillets are simmered in a creamy garlic-coconut curry sauce, creating a dish that’s rich, aromatic, and full of flavor.
This recipe is perfect for those who enjoy international cuisine and want to try something different.
Ingredients
- 4 fish fillets (such as cod or snapper)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
How to Make
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
Add the curry powder and turmeric, and cook for another minute. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer.
Add the fish fillets to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over them.
Cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through.
Season with salt and pepper, and garnish with chopped cilantro before serving.
Conclusion
These 13 garlic fish recipes offer a diverse range of flavors and cooking methods, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Whether you prefer the simplicity of baked salmon or the exotic taste of coconut curry fish, each recipe highlights the wonderful combination of garlic and fish.
We hope these dishes inspire you to get creative in the kitchen and enjoy the delicious results!