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lemon butter pan seared cod fillets. A spoon is added lemon garlic butter sauce to them.
5 from 33 votes

Lemon Butter Pan Seared Cod

Lemon Butter Pan Seared Cod is an easy recipe for flaky fish finished with a decadently rich garlic butter sauce with bright lemon juice.
Author Diana
Servings 4 Servings
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 6-ounce (170 g) cod fillets about 1 inch thick
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons (40 g) unsalted butter cold, divided
  • 4 cloves garlic finely minced
  • 1 cup (240 ml) chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  • Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Then in a small bowl, combine flour with the seasonings, salt and pepper. Sprinkle the seasons all over the cod from all sides.
  • In a large non stick skillet, over medium high heat, heat olive oil and melt 1 tablespoon of butter.
  • Add the cod, and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until fully cooked and golden brown. The internal temperature must reach 145°F (63°C). Remove from the skillet, and transfer to a serving plate.
  • To the same skillet, add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Then add the stock, and allow to reduce over medium heat (takes 6-7 minutes). Add the remaining cold butter, and stir it in so it’s emulsified with the sauce (it will help the sauce thicken).
  • The sauce is ready when it coats the back of your spoon, and when you run your finger through it, you get a sharp line. Remove from heat, add lemon juice, season with salt and pepper to taste, and add in the chopped fresh parsley. And stir to combine.
  • Pour the sauce over the cooked cod fillets, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • To quickly thaw cod fillets, place them in a plastic zip-top bag, and then place the bag in a large bowl filled with cod water. Weigh down the bag with a plate. Replace the water as needed to keep the fish at a cool temperature. Your fillets will be thawed in less than an hour this way!
  • If you have more time, you can also thaw frozen fish fillets in the fridge overnight.
  • Dry the fish with paper towels before seasoning and cooking. This will ensure that you get beautiful browning on the fillets.
  • The best type of skillet to use when cooking fish is a non-stick skillet. Cod can very easily get stuck to other types of pans, and that can make this recipe difficult.
  • Avoid overcooking the fish, as it will be tough and rubbery.
  • To Store: You can store leftover cooked fish in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Be sure that it is in a well-sealed container.

Nutrition

Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 316kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 617mg | Potassium: 816mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 547IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg