Lemon Garlic Butter Cod (Printable Version)
Flaky cod fillets in a rich lemon garlic butter sauce. Ready in 25 minutes, this light yet flavorful dish is perfect for easy weeknight dinners or special occasions.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish & Main
01 - 4 cod fillets (approximately 5.3 oz each), skinless and boneless
→ Sauce
02 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
03 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
04 - Juice and zest of 1 lemon
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
07 - ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnish
08 - Lemon wedges
# How to Make It:
01 - Pat the cod fillets completely dry using paper towels. Season both sides generously 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 to the melted butter and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
04 - Gently place the cod fillets in the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side until lightly golden.
05 - Carefully flip each fillet using a thin spatula. Add the remaining butter, lemon juice, and zest to the pan.
06 - Baste the fish continuously with the melting butter sauce. Cook for another 3 to 4 minutes until the cod is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Sprinkle with chopped parsley and remove from heat immediately. Serve each fillet with extra lemon garlic butter sauce spooned over the top. Accompany with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
- Its forgiving enough for beginners but impressive enough for guests
02 -
- Overcooked cod becomes rubbery and sad, pull it when it just turns opaque throughout
- Basting not only adds flavor but keeps the top of the fish from drying out
03 -
- Room temperature fish cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge
- A thin metal spatula slides under delicate fish better than thick plastic ones