This pan-seared swordfish recipe is simple, elegant, and packed with bold flavors! A quick sear in olive oil gives the fish a golden crust, while butter, capers, and fresh herbs create a rich, briny sauce that elevates every bite. With just 10 minutes of prep and 8 minutes of cook time, this dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Let’s get to it!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Quick & Easy – Ready in under 20 minutes!
✔️ Restaurant-Quality – But made right at home.
✔️ Flavor-Packed – A rich caper butter sauce makes every bite irresistible.

Ingredients

• 1 pound swordfish steaks
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions

1. Pat the swordfish dry with a paper towel, then season with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
3. Once the oil is hot, add the swordfish and cook for 4 minutes until golden brown.
4. Flip the fish and add butter, capers, and half the chives and parsley. As the butter melts, baste the fish by spooning the sauce over it for 3-4 minutes.
5. Cook until the swordfish reaches an internal temp of 135°F.
6. Remove from the pan, top with remaining herbs, and finish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve immediately!

💡 Tip: Serve with roasted veggies, a fresh salad, or a side of rice for a complete meal.

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Pan Seared Swordfish with Caper Butter Sauce

Recipe by Alison J. Ball

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Ingredients

• 1 pound swordfish steaks

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon butter

• 1 tablespoon capers

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Directions

Recipe Video