Are you looking for a new weeknight dinner that is unbelievably fast, incredibly easy, super healthy, and absolutely bursting with bright, fresh flavor? This stunning, 10-minute Broiled Haddock with a luscious, from-scratch Lime-Cilantro Butter is that perfect meal. It’s a restaurant-quality seafood dinner that you can have on the table in less time than it takes to order takeout, making it a true hero for busy nights.
This isn’t just another fish recipe; it’s your new secret weapon for effortless, elegant meals. We’ll show you the simple secrets to a perfectly cooked, flaky, and moist haddock fillet every single time. The magic is in the simple, no-cook butter sauce that comes together in seconds and transforms this humble fish into a sophisticated masterpiece. Get ready to add a new favorite to your healthy dinner rotation.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Recipe Overview: The Ultimate 10-Minute Healthy Dinner
What makes this Broiled Haddock recipe so spectacular is its incredible speed and its vibrant, fresh flavor profile. The secret to this fast meal is the broiler, an often-underutilized kitchen tool that cooks the delicate fish in just 5-6 minutes. The fish itself is simply seasoned, allowing its mild, sweet flavor to shine. The real star is the luscious, no-cook Lime-Cilantro Butter. A simple mixture of melted butter, fresh lime zest, lime juice, and chopped cilantro creates a bright, zesty, and herbaceous sauce that is the perfect complement to the flaky white fish.
| Metric | Time / Level |
| Total Time | 15 minutes |
| Active Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Difficulty Level | Easy |
| Servings | 4 |
The Essential Ingredients for This Fresh Fish Dinner
This recipe uses a handful of simple, high-impact ingredients to create its signature bright and zesty flavor.
- The Fish (Haddock 101): The star of the show!
- What is Haddock?: Haddock is a fantastic and often underrated saltwater fish. It is a member of the cod family and has a wonderfully mild, slightly sweet flavor and a firm yet delicate, flaky texture when cooked. Because its flavor is not overly “fishy,” it’s a great choice for the whole family.
- What to Buy: Look for four 6-ounce haddock fillets. The flesh should be a beautiful, translucent white and should look firm and moist. Most importantly, fresh fish should smell clean and fresh, like the ocean, with no strong, fishy odor.
- The “Magic” Lime-Cilantro Butter: This is where all the incredible, vibrant flavor comes from!
- The Butter: A good quality butter is the rich and luscious base of our simple sauce.
- Fresh Lime & Cilantro: It is absolutely essential to use fresh lime juice, fresh lime zest, and fresh, chopped cilantro for the best, most vibrant flavor. The juice provides the bright, tangy acidity, while the zest (the fragrant outer peel) contains all the essential oils and provides a powerful, pure lime perfume. The fresh cilantro adds that wonderful, herbaceous, and slightly citrusy note that is a classic pairing with lime and seafood.
Step-by-Step to Perfect Broiled Haddock
This elegant meal comes together in just a few simple stages. We’ve also included instructions for baking or pan-searing the haddock!
Step 1: Prepare the Fish and the Broiler
First, position an oven rack so that it is about 4 to 5 inches from the top broiler element and preheat the broiler.
Grease your broiler pan well to prevent the delicate fish from sticking.
Pat your 4 haddock fillets completely dry with a paper towel. Sprinkle the fillets with the 1/2 teaspoon of salt and the 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
Place the seasoned fillets on the prepared broiler pan.
Step 2: Broil to Flaky Perfection
Broil the haddock for 5 to 6 minutes.
Pro Tip: You do not need to flip the fish when you are broiling it! The intense, top-down heat will cook the thin fillets all the way through perfectly.
The haddock is perfectly cooked when the flesh has turned from translucent to a beautiful, opaque white and it flakes easily when you press it gently with a fork.
Part 3: The 1-Minute Lime-Cilantro Butter
While the fish is broiling, prepare your simple and delicious sauce.
In a small bowl, mix together the 3 tablespoons of melted butter, the 2 tablespoons of minced fresh cilantro, the 1 tablespoon of lime juice, and the 1 teaspoon of grated lime zest.
To serve, place a hot, broiled haddock fillet on each plate. Drizzle the delicious, warm lime-cilantro butter over the top of the fish and serve immediately.
The Best Easy Broiled Haddock (with Lime-Cilantro Butter!)
An extremely quick and simple recipe for broiled haddock fillets, perfect for a healthy weeknight meal. The fish is seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked under the broiler for just a few minutes until it flakes easily with a fork. The dish is finished with a simple, no-cook compound butter made by mixing melted butter with minced fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, and lime zest, which is then served over the hot fish.
Ingredients
- 4 haddock fillets (6 ounces each)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated lime zest
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler. Grease a broiler pan.
- Sprinkle the haddock fillets with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Place the fillets on the greased broiler pan.
- Broil 4-5 inches from the heat for 5-6 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- While the fish is broiling, combine the melted butter, minced cilantro, lime juice, and lime zest in a small bowl.
- Serve the cooked fish with the lime-cilantro butter spooned over the top.
Notes
- This is a very fast meal, coming together in under 20 minutes from start to finish.
- Broiling is a quick, high-heat cooking method, so watch the fish carefully to prevent it from overcooking.
- The simple compound butter is an easy way to create a flavorful sauce for the fish.
Alternative Cooking Methods (No Broiler? No Problem!)
- Easy Baked Method: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the seasoned haddock fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
- Classic Pan-Seared Method: Pat the fillets very dry. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place the haddock in the hot skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it is golden brown and cooked through.
What to Serve With Your Broiled Haddock
This beautiful and light dish is a fantastic centerpiece for a complete and healthy meal.
- A Simple Starch: Serve the haddock and its delicious butter sauce over a bed of fluffy jasmine rice, basmati rice, or quinoa.
- Roasted or Steamed Vegetables: Simple, roasted asparagus, green beans, or broccoli are a wonderful, comforting accompaniment.
- A Fresh Salsa: A simple side of a corn and black bean salsa or a fresh pico de gallo would also be a fantastic and vibrant pairing.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
A delicate fish dish like this one is at its absolute best in the moments right after it has been cooked.
- Make-Ahead: For a super-fast and impressive meal, you can get a head start by preparing the lime-cilantro butter up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can gently re-melt it in the microwave or in a small saucepan just before serving.
- Storage: Store any leftover cooked haddock and the sauce in a separate, airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
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Creative Recipe Variations
- Use a Different Fish: This simple and versatile cooking method and delicious butter sauce are also absolutely fantastic with other firm, mild white fish fillets, such as cod, halibut, tilapia, or pollock.
- Add a Spicy Kick: For a delicious, spicy-zesty flavor, you can add one finely minced jalapeño or serrano pepper or a generous pinch of red pepper flakes to your lime-cilantro butter.
- Use a Different Fresh Herb: If you’re not a fan of cilantro, this bright and zesty butter sauce is also incredible with an equal amount of other fresh, finely chopped herbs, such as parsley, dill, or chives.
Enjoy Your New Favorite Healthy & Fast Meal!
You’ve just created a truly special dish that is a perfect harmony of wholesome, fresh ingredients and delicious, satisfying flavors. This Broiled Haddock with Lime-Cilantro Butter is a testament to the power of a simple, from-scratch meal to be both incredibly fast and incredibly elegant. It’s a rewarding and deeply satisfying recipe that is sure to become a new staple in your weeknight dinner rotation.
We hope you enjoy every last, perfect, and delicious bite!
If you enjoyed making this recipe, please leave a comment below or share it with a friend who loves a good, easy, and healthy meal!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is haddock, and what does it taste like?
Haddock is a popular saltwater fish that is a member of the cod family. It has a wonderfully mild, slightly sweet flavor and a firm yet delicate texture that turns a beautiful, opaque white and becomes very flaky when it is cooked. Because its flavor is not overly “fishy,” it’s a fantastic and versatile choice for all kinds of recipes.
Q2: What is the absolute secret to not overcooking my fish?
The most important rule for any fish is to not walk away from it while it is cooking! A thin fillet of a delicate white fish like haddock can go from perfectly cooked to dry and tough in less than a minute. The best visual cue is when the flesh has turned from translucent to a uniform, opaque white and it flakes easily with a fork.
Q3: Can I make this recipe with frozen fish fillets?
Yes, you can. For the absolute best result, it is highly recommended to let the frozen fillets thaw completely overnight in the refrigerator first. After they have thawed, it is crucial to pat them very, very dry with a paper towel to remove all the excess moisture before you cook them.
Q4: What is the best way to reheat leftover fish?
The best way to reheat a delicate fish like haddock without drying it out is to do so low and slow. You can place it in a covered, oven-safe dish in a low-temperature oven (around 275°F) for about 10-15 minutes, until it is just warmed through. You can also flake the cold, leftover haddock and use it to top a salad.
Q5: Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh?
For this specific recipe, which has so few ingredients and relies on the bright, vibrant flavor of the sauce, it is very, very highly recommended to use freshly squeezed lime juice. The flavor is much brighter and more authentic than the bottled kind.