Dover Sole with white wine sauce on a blue plate with purple cauliflower and asparagus and a lemon

Dover Sole is an uncommon but delicious fish that is usually served in high end seafood restaurants. The reason it is so delicious is because it’s extremely low in fat, which makes it tasty if prepared properly. This easy recipe is a great option for weeknight dinners or Sunday supper when you have time to cook something special. Although this is a delicate fish, that is very thin, it stays amazingly tender when prepared this way.

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Published: May 2022 · Modified: August 2024

Ingredients

For the Dover Sole:

1 ½ lbs Dover Sole fillets (about 8 oz per person)
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper

For the White Wine and Capers Sauce:

½ cup butter
1 medium shallot, finely diced
3 cloves fresh garlic, grated
¼ cup white wine
Pinch of red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons capers, drained
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

For the Dover Sole:

Prepare the Coating:
- In a shallow bowl, mix together the flour, granulated garlic, ancho chili powder, and black pepper.
Heat the Pan:
- Heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a heavy frying pan over medium heat.
Dredge and Cook the Fillets:
- Working in batches of 3-4 fillets (depending on the size of your pan), lightly dredge each fillet in the flour mixture.
- Place the fillets in the hot oil and cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove the fillets from the pan and keep warm on a cookie sheet in a 300°F (150°C) oven.
Repeat Cooking:
- Continue the process with the remaining fillets.

For the White Wine and Capers Sauce:

Sauté Shallots:
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add the diced shallot and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add Garlic:
- Stir in the grated garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
Deglaze and Simmer:
- Pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 5 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
Add Flavors:
- Sprinkle in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Stir in the capers and cook until heated through.
Season:
- Season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Serve:
- Drizzle the sauce over the warm Dover Sole fillets and enjoy!

This dish pairs beautifully with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Dover Sole À la Meunière is a fancy name for this meal

À la Meunière is a French cooking term that means literally “in the manner of the miller’s wife”, which in turn indicates that there is flour involved. More specifically, it refers to fish that has been lightly floured in seasoned flour, then fried in butter, then served with a simple butter-based sauce.

The flavor is mild and sweet. It is more like a meat. It doesn’t have the texture of a normal fish. Despite its delicate flavor, it’s able to stand up to high heat for cooking, and sauces.

Can I make this dish without the wine?

If you do not want to use wine in this recipe, you can substitute vegetable broth, and then add in a teaspoon of lemon juice for the acid. This dish comes alive with just a splash of lemon!

Want some more seafood dinner ideas? Check out this inspiration from A Pinch of Yum!

Where do I buy Dover sole?

We are land locked from water, so we buy our seafood from Whole Foods. The seafood section at our store stocks fresh and frozen seafood, which we buy the day we use it in our recipes.

Is Dover sole healthy?

Sole fillet is naturally rich source of minerals including iodine, calcium, zinc, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. It is one of the finest sources of essential fatty acids, protein, minerals and fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, E and D.