Lemon Garlic Butter Cod 20 Minute Dinner
Make this simple, flavorful cod dish using lemon, garlic, and butter in under 20 minutes for a fast weeknight meal.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 12 min
- Total Time: 17 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6 ounce) cod fillets
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, carefully place the cod fillets in the skillet.
- Sear the cod for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown. The exact time depends on the thickness of your fillets.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet around the fish. Cook for 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Pour the lemon juice over the fish. Spoon the melted butter and garlic mixture over the cod fillets repeatedly for about 1 minute.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Sprinkle the lemon zest and chopped parsley over the fish.
- Serve the cod immediately with the pan sauce spooned over the top.
Notes
- To check if the cod is done, gently press the thickest part with a fork; it should flake easily.
- For a one-pan meal, add asparagus spears or cherry tomatoes to the skillet during the last 5 minutes of cooking the fish.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 250
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 85