Lemon Garlic Butter Cod (Printable)
Flaky cod in rich 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
# How To Make It:
01 - Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and beginning to foam.
03 - Add the minced garlic to the hot butter and sauté for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant, taking care not to brown or burn it.
04 - Gently place the seasoned cod fillets in the skillet. Cook for 3–4 minutes on the first side until golden, then carefully flip using a thin spatula.
05 - Add the remaining butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the pan. As the butter melts, continuously baste the fish with the sauce for another 3–4 minutes until the cod is completely opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Sprinkle the chopped parsley over the fish and remove from heat immediately. Serve hot, spooning the remaining lemon garlic butter sauce over each fillet. Garnish with fresh lemon wedges if desired.
# Tips from dashanddishes:
01 -
- The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
- Even people who swear they don't like fish ask for seconds
02 -
- Dry fish equals better searing, so don't skip the paper towel step
- Garlic burns faster than you think, so have your fish ready to add immediately
03 -
- Room temperature butter melts more evenly for consistent basting
- Warm your plates slightly so the sauce stays fluid longer