In this recipe, each part brings something different to the plate without making the dish feel complicated. The saffron oil gives the grouper a subtle warmth and a beautiful golden color, while the grill adds that lightly smoky note that always makes fish feel a little more special. Grouper has such a lovely, mild flavor and firm texture, so it works beautifully here without needing a lot to dress it up.
The mashed potatoes, I choose as one of the sides, create a soft, creamy base for the fish, with that extra-silky texture that pairs so well with the melted garlic butter spooned over the top. Altogether, it is one of those meals that feels polished and restaurant-worthy, yet still cozy enough to enjoy at your own table.
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Key Ingredients in This Recipe
You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Saffron
- Grouper fillets
- Butter
- Garlic
- Parsley
Want to see the recipe in action? The video below walks you through the key steps.
How to Make Saffron Grouper with Garlic Butter
Step 1 – Make the saffron oil by mixing olive oil with lemon juice and saffron threads. Warm this mixture for a few minutes, so the saffron threads release their color and aroma.
Step 2 – Season the grouper fillet(s) with salt and pepper and place the fish in a dish. Pour the saffron oil over the fish and turn the fish a few times, covering all sides with the oil. Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight.
Step 3 – Heat oil in a grill pan and grill the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until done. Grilling time depends on the thickness of the fillet(s).
- Step 4 – Make the garlic butter, by mixing butter, minced or smashed garlic, finely chopped parsley and salt & pepper. For the full recipe of garlic butter or other compound butter, check out this post.
Step 5 – Melt the garlic butter and pour it over the fish.
Ways to Serve Saffron Grouper with Garlic Butter
This saffron grouper would be great with a mashed potatoes with Mascarpone or with any of the sides on the blog. Vegetables, such as examples below, are also great accompaniments for the saffron grouper.
Other Fish Recipes to Try
Saffron Grouper with Garlic Butter
Pin Recipe FacebookIngredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads
- 12 ounces grouper fillets
- salt & pepper
For the Garlic Butter
- 1 ounce butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
- salt & pepper
For the Mashed Potatoes with Mascarpone
- 1 pound russet potatoes
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese
- salt & pepper
- nutmeg, optional
Instructions
- Make the saffron oil by mixing olive oil with lemon juice and saffron threads. Warm this mixture for a few minutes, so the saffron threads release their color and aroma.
- Season the grouper fillet(s) with salt and pepper and place the fish in a dish. Pour the saffron oil over the fish and turn the fish a few times, so all the sides are covered with the oil. Marinate for a minimum of 2 hours, or overnight.
- Heat oil in a grill pan and grill the fish for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until done. Grilling time depends on the thickness of the fillet(s).
- Make the garlic butter, by mixing butter, minced or smashed garlic, finely chopped parsley and salt & pepper. (NOTE 1)
- Melt the garlic butter and pour it over the fish.
- Serve the fish on a bed of mashed potatoes with Mascarpone. (NOTE2)
Notes
- For the full recipe of garlic butter or other compound butter, check out this post.
- Mashed potatoes with Mascarpone is a great side dish for this grouper recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.