Lemon Garlic Butter Cod (Printable)
Tender cod fillets in a zesty lemon garlic butter sauce, ready in just 25 minutes for an effortless weeknight dinner.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish & Main
01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 oz each), skinless and boneless
→ Sauce
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - Juice and zest of 1 lemon
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
07 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnish
08 - Lemon wedges
# Directions:
01 - Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and foaming.
03 - Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Gently place the cod fillets in the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side, then carefully flip using a thin spatula.
05 - Add the remaining butter, lemon juice, and zest to the pan. Baste the fish with the melting butter sauce as it cooks for another 3-4 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley and remove from the heat.
07 - Serve immediately, spooning extra lemon garlic butter sauce over each fillet. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- This restaurant quality dish comes together in just 25 minutes from start to finish
- The lemon butter sauce is so good you will want to drink it straight from the pan
- Cod stays incredibly tender and flaky with this gentle cooking method
02 -
- Dry your fish thoroughly before cooking or it will steam instead of getting that gorgeous golden sear
- Keep the heat at medium, too high and the butter will burn before the fish cooks through
- Let the fish rest in the pan off heat for a minute before serving, this keeps it incredibly moist
03 -
- Room temperature butter melts more evenly and creates a smoother sauce
- Add a splash of white wine with the lemon juice for extra depth if you have some open