DINNER IN 20 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
1
Step 1
Pat the hake dry with paper towel. Mix the flour, paprika, salt and pepper on a plate and coat the fillets lightly, shaking off the excess.
DINNER IN 20 MINUTES
PANTRY-FRIENDLY
FISH · DINNER
Pan-Fried Hake with Lemon Butter
Golden pan-fried hake fillets with lemon butter, ready in 20 minutes. Serve with chips, rice or salad. Serves 4.
Total time20 min
YieldServes 4
DietFish & Seafood
Shopping9 ingredients
DifficultyEasy
Cook along
Everything you need, in order.
Check ingredients as you gather them, then work through 4 calm, clearly numbered steps.
0 ingredients checked · step 0 done
Ingredients
Tap each item as it reaches your counter.
0/9
Method
4 steps · about 20 minutes total
2
Step 2
Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Fry the fillets for 3 to 4 minutes a side, until golden and the flesh is white all the way through and flakes easily.
3
Step 3
Lift the fish onto plates. Melt the butter in the pan, add the lemon juice and parsley and swirl for 30 seconds.
4
Step 4
Pour the lemon butter over the fish and serve with lemon wedges.
Before you serve
Cooking notes & good-to-know answers.
Small details for confident timing, useful swaps, and safer leftovers.
Cooking notes
Thaw frozen hake in the fridge overnight, not on the counter.
Fish is cooked when it turns opaque and flakes with a fork (63°C in the thickest part); thin fillets cook fast.
Do not crowd the pan; fry in two batches if needed.
Good to know
It is better thawed: frozen fillets release water and will not brown. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
Chips, rice, a green salad or mashed potato.
Yes. Kingklip, cod or any firm white fish works; thicker fillets need a minute or two longer.
About this recipe
Hake is South Africa’s everyday fish: mild, affordable and quick to cook. A light coating of flour and a hot pan give golden fillets in under ten minutes.
More ideas
Recipes to cook next.
More practical dishes built around familiar ingredients.