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Pan fried cod with lemon butter sauce in a pan.

Pan-fried Cod with Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce

This easy yet elegant recipe showcases the mild and flaky cod fillets, accentuated by a zesty lemon-herb butter sauce. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
5 from 5 votes
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Author: Deborah Rainford

Ingredients

For the Cod:

  • 4 cod fillets, about 6 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce:

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs, parsley, thyme, and/or dill
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preparing the Cod:

  • Preheat the Pan: Place a non-stick (or cast-iron) skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
  • Season the Fish: While the pan is heating, pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Cooking the Cod:

  • Sear the Cod: Once the oil is hot but not smoking, carefully place the cod fillets in the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the fillets and set them aside on a warm plate.

Making the Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce:

  • Prepare the Pan: Lower the heat to medium and remove any bits leftover from cooking the fish, if necessary.
  • Melt the Butter: Add the butter to the pan and let it melt, swirling the pan occasionally.
  • Add Lemon and Herbs: Once the butter is fully melted, add the lemon juice and fresh herbs to the pan. Stir to combine.
  • Season: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed.
  • Combine: Spoon the lemon-herb butter sauce over the cooked cod fillets.

Serving:

  • Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with additional fresh herbs or a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Herb Choices: Feel free to mix and match herbs based on your preference or what you have on hand. Soft herbs work best
  • Skillet Temperature: Make sure the skillet is hot but not smoking to get a nice golden sear on the cod without burning it. That golden sear will create a gorgeous crisp crust on the fish.
  • Fish Testing: You can check if the fish is cooked by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the fillet; if it flakes easily, it's done.
  • Sauce Consistency: If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the cod fillets from the pan after cooking, then simmer the sauce to reduce it before spooning over the fish.

Nutrition

Serving: 4Servings | Calories: 900kcal | Carbohydrates: 0.01g | Protein: 160g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 417mg | Sodium: 488mg | Potassium: 3720mg | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 710IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 147mg | Iron: 3mg
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