Pan Seared Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe

I recently prepared a delightful pan seared fish with lemon butter sauce that highlights cod fillets lightly dusted with all purpose flour and sizzled to a golden finish in olive oil. Enhanced with garlic, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice, this dish exudes fresh simplicity and a charming balance of flavors.

I love cooking this pan seared cod with lemon butter sauce because it’s surprisingly simple yet full of flavor. I start with 4 cod fillets (6 oz each, skin removed) that I season with salt and freshly ground black pepper then lightly dust with 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour.

Once the olive oil is hot, I sear the fish until it’s beautifully golden. In another pan, I melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter and add 2 minced garlic cloves.

Then I mix in the juice of 1 lemon and its zest, letting the aroma fill the kitchen. I finish the sauce by stirring in 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley.

This dish is a wonderful example of how easy it is to create a restaurant quality meal right on your stove top. It reminds me of some of the best cod fish dishes ppl have raved about after trying their own simple marinating and searing techniques.

Enjoy the burst of flavors!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really like this recipe because it’s super easy to whip up even when I’m in a rush. I don’t have to run around to get a bunch of fancy ingredients and it always turns out delicious. The lemon butter sauce is just perfect—it’s tangy and rich all at once and gives the cod such a great flavor kick. I also dig that it looks pretty fancy, making it feel special even though it’s a simple weeknight dinner. Lastly, I love that I can pair it with different sides, so it never gets boring no matter what I’m in the mood for.

Ingredients

• Cod fillets: Lean protein source that tastes mild, helps build muscles, and is super healthy.
• All purpose flour: Adds a delicate dusting; gives slight crunch and improves crust formation.
• Olive oil: Healthy fat that brings richness, improves texture, and enriches flavor subtly.
• Butter: Adds creaminess and indulgence, while infusing a nutty, rich taste to the dish.
• Garlic: Provides a punch of aroma and zing, boosting the sauce with robust flavor.
• Lemon: Lends a tangy, citrus burst, makes the dish bright, refreshing, and zesty.
• Parsley: Adds fresh herb aroma and a pop of color, balancing rich flavors perfectly.

Ingredient Quantities

• 4 cod fillets (6 oz each, skin removed)
• Salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

How to Make this

1. Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel and season both sides with salt and freshly ground pepper

2. Lightly dust each fillet with the all purpose flour making sure they’re evenly coated

3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until you can see a slight shimmer

4. When the oil is hot enough, lay the fillets in the pan and sear for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they turn a nice golden brown

5. Carefully remove the fillets from the skillet and set ’em aside on a warm plate

6. Lower the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter into the same skillet letting it melt slowly

7. Toss in the minced garlic and let it cook for about 30 seconds until it smells really good

8. Pour in the lemon juice and sprinkle in the lemon zest, stirring for about a minute so it all mixes well

9. Return the cod fillets to the pan and spoon the lemon butter sauce over them for a final quick warm-up

10. Finally, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley on top and serve immediately with your favorite veggies or grains Enjoy your meal!

Equipment Needed

1. Paper towels – used for drying off the cod fillets.
2. A shallow dish or plate – for evenly dusting the fillets with all purpose flour.
3. A large skillet – for searing the fish and making the lemon butter sauce.
4. A spatula or fish turner – to carefully flip and remove the fillets from the pan.
5. Measuring spoons – needed to accurately measure olive oil, unsalted butter, and lemon juice.
6. A serving plate – to set aside and keep the cooked fillets warm.
7. A knife and cutting board – for chopping the fresh parsley (if not pre-chopped).

FAQ

Pan Seared Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Cod Fillets: If you cant find cod, try using tilapia or haddock, they work just as well
• All-Purpose Flour: You could swap that with gluten free flour or even a little corn starch if you’re in a hurry
• Olive Oil: Canola or vegetable oil can be a fine substitute if you dont have olive oil on hand
• Lemon Juice: If you’re out of lemons, a splash of white wine vinegar mixed with a pinch of sugar can do the trick
• Fresh Parsley: Dried parsley or even a bit of basil might work in a pinch if you dont have fresh parsley

Pro Tips

1. Make sure the cod is really dry before you season it cause any extra moisture can stop you from getting that crispy sear you want
2. When you dust the fish with flour, don’t use too much, a light sprinkle is enough to help the browning without making it thick and cakey
3. Keep an eye on the heat when you add the butter and garlic because if it gets too hot the garlic might burn and taste bitter
4. Let the lemon juice and zest simmer with the butter just a little bit longer for an extra burst of flavor without overcooking the sauce