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Easy Lemon Garlic Butter Cod

A quick, healthy pan-seared cod dish featuring bright lemon, garlic, and rich butter, delivering flaky fish with a golden crust.

  • Total Time: 18 minutes
  • Yield: 2 to 3 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 grams) Cod fillets, fresh or thawed frozen
  • 4 tablespoons (60 grams) Unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon Lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons (8 grams) Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) Olive oil (extra virgin preferred)

Instructions

  1. Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture.
  2. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Let fillets sit at room temperature while preparing the sauce.
  4. Mix softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl until combined.
  5. Taste the sauce and adjust lemon or salt as needed.
  6. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  7. Add cod fillets skin-side down, arranging them without crowding.
  8. Cook without moving for 3 to 4 minutes until a golden crust forms.
  9. Flip fillets gently using a fish spatula or tongs.
  10. Spoon half of the lemon garlic butter sauce over the fish.
  11. Lower heat to medium and cook another 3 to 4 minutes until fish flakes easily.
  12. Remove skillet from heat and spoon remaining sauce over the fillets.
  13. Transfer cod to warm plates and drizzle with any remaining buttery sauce.

Notes

Serve with lemon wedges for added brightness and flavor.

  • Author: jayne
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Pan-Seared
  • Cuisine: Modern American
  • Diet: Seafood

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 380mg
  • Fat: 18g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: non-specified
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 2g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 32g
  • Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: cod, lemon garlic butter, seafood, quick dinner, easy recipe