Lemon Garlic Butter Cod (Printable)
Tender cod fillets in a rich, zesty lemon garlic butter sauce ready in 25 minutes.
# 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 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnish
08 - Lemon wedges
# Method:
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 Hints:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in the same pan as the fish, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor
- Perfect for beginners since cod is so forgiving and practically impossible to overcook with this gentle basting method
02 -
- Dry your fish thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning, or it will steam instead of getting that lovely golden sear
- Watch the garlic like a hawk once it hits the pan, because burned garlic turns bitter and ruins the delicate sauce
03 -
- Let your fish come to room temperature for fifteen minutes before cooking for even heating throughout
- Prep all ingredients before you start cooking since this recipe moves quickly once the heat is on