We are blessed with a fishery that provides us such a wonderful “kitchen friendly” catch – Grouper. We’re famous for it and yet, when you live in the midst of such plenty, sometimes you forget. This is not one of those times:) Our Parmesan Panko Grouper recipe will surely jog some memories.

Grouper is my second favorite fish (wahoo is first) though not second by much. I am more a cook than an angler so a fish’s kitchen characteristics are foremost to me. Grouper holds itself up well in this regard. So versatile, Grouper can take almost anything you throw at it. For today’s recipe we will throw a little Panko, a little Parmesan, and a little pan frying.

Parmesan Panko Grouper Recipe Ingredients

The Lime Butter Sauce

attribution: Ian Knauer – epicurious.com

Lime Juice: 1/4 cup, fresh

Butter: 1/2 cup, melted

Garlic: 1 large clove

Salt: to taste

Black Pepper: to taste

Lime Zest: 1/4 tsp

Sugar: to taste

The Fish

Red or Black Grouper: 1.5lb

Panko: 2 cups

Flour: 1 cup

Parmesan Cheese: 1.5 cups

Salt: to taste

White Pepper: to taste

Egg: 1

Butter: 1/2 cup

Recipe Instructions

Lime Butter Sauce

The sauce is quite simple and works well on all manner of fish. In a blender, add all of the ingredients except the lime zest. Be mindful when adding the melted butter. Go slow and blend until fully emulsified.

Pour the blended sauce into your serving container and top with the lime zest. This sauce keeps well for up to two weeks.

The Fish

First things first. Heat your oven to 350 degrees with a rack in the middle position. Melt the butter in a cast iron skillet (or other oven proof pan) on the stove top – medium heat.

Prep your “assembly line” by combining, in separate dishes, (1) the panko, grated parmesan & salt (2) flour, salt & white pepper (3) egg & a little water – thoroughly mixed. Get your fish ready (rinsed and patted dry).

Dredge each piece of fish in the flour and then the egg wash.

Next, move the fish to the Parmesan Panko mix and coat completely. The devil is in the details here. Make sure to thoroughly coat each piece.

Place your fish in the buttered, heated skillet. Brown on one side for 5-6 minutes.

Turn the fish and move the skillet to the middle rack in the oven. Bake for 6-8 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish.

Remove the skillet from the oven and plate the Parmesan Panko Grouper up for serving. For this dish we prepared Dilled Potatoes and Asparagus as sides.

Note: A little of the Lime Butter sauce goes a long way…. show some restraint the first time you ladle it on the fish. It also works well with the asparagus.

Bon Appetit and tight lines!