Lemon Butter Cod Recipe
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Servings
4
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Calories
490 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Lemon Butter Cod Recipe
Description
The recipe prepares the lemon butter mixture by combining softened salted butter with minced garlic, shallot, fresh chives or parsley, fresh lemon juice, and grated lemon peel, seasoned with kosher salt and black pepper. The cod fillets are patted dry to remove excess moisture, ensuring proper browning in a hot pan with olive oil. Both sides of the cod are seasoned with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper before being seared for around 3 to 4 minutes per side, achieving a golden crust.
Cooking the fish uncovered with the lid ajar allows steam to escape, leaving the fish moist but not steamed. The lemon butter mixture adds a fresh and tangy complement to the mild, flaky cod. The dish is well-suited to pair with simple sides like rice or roasted vegetables. Checking doneness by pressing the thickest part of the fillet for firmness allows for precision without overcooking.
Using coarse kosher salt is emphasized to avoid excessive saltiness. The recipe notes that cook times may vary based on thickness and pan type. Serving with sides such as Instant Pot brown rice or roasted vegetables completes a meal.
Ingredients
For the Lemon Butter Mixture:
- 3 TB butter softened to room temp, salted
- 1 TB chives or parsley, freshly chopped
- 2 TB garlic freshly minced
- 1 TB shallot freshly minced
- ⅛ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 1 TB lemon juice from fresh
- 1 TB lemon grated peel
For the Fish:
- 2 TB olive oil
- 4 cod 1-inch thickness, 4 oz each, fillets
- salt Kosher salt and freshly ground
- black pepper Kosher salt and freshly ground
- lemon additional slices; for serving
Instructions
- Place cod in colander and let sit to drain and get closer to room temperature, while you prepare rest of ingredients.
- In a small pan, combine all Lemon Butter Mixture ingredients and stir to fully combine. Set aside.
- Use paper towels to pat-dry all excess moisture from the fish fillets. This step is important, so be sure to pat off as much moisture as you can (extra moisture from fish will dilute flavors and steam the fish rather than brown it.)
- Evenly sprinkle both sides of fillets with pinches of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside. In a large pan, heat the olive oil over high heat. Once oil is sizzling hot, add fish fillets to pan (you may want to do 2 at a time to avoid crowding) and cover with lid ajar, allowing steam to escape. Cook until browned on one side, about 3-4 minutes. Do not move fish around.
- Use a thin but wide metal spatula to gently flip fish fillets over to the other side for another 3-4 minutes just until nicely browned and center is just-cooked. The key to tender fish is to avoid overcooking.If your fillets are less than 1-inch thick, shorten cook time.
- While your last fish fillets are cooking, heat up small pan of prepared lemon-garlic mixture over medium-high, stirring just until bubbly. Immediately turn heat off and keep warm.
- Once fish is done, plate fillets and spoon lemon butter mixture over the fish, including any leftover juices from your frying pan. Garnish with lemon slices and enjoy.
Notes
- Use coarse kosher salt for seasoning, as it is milder than table salt.
- Pat fish dry thoroughly to promote browning instead of steaming.
- Cook cod about 3 to 4 minutes per side, checking doneness by gently pressing for firmness.
- Pair with simple sides like brown rice or roasted vegetables for a balanced meal.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 490 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 490kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 3g | 1% |
| Protein | 161g | 322% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 7g | 35% |
| Trans Fat | 0.3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 410mg | 137% |
| Sodium | 332mg | 14% |
| Potassium | 3746mg | 80% |
| Fiber | 0.2g | 1% |
| Sugar | 0.3g | 1% |
| Vitamin A | 656IU | 13% |
| Vitamin C | 11mg | 12% |
| Calcium | 155mg | 16% |
| Iron | 4mg | 22% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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