If you’re looking for an easy, delicious, and healthy dinner, this Garlic Butter Cod recipe is a total winner! It’s packed with flavor, super simple to make, and comes together in under 20 minutes. Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight dinner or impressing guests, this dish is a must-try.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Ready in 20 minutes!
- Healthy & Nutritious: Cod is high in protein and low in fat.
- Packed with Flavor: The garlic butter sauce is next-level delicious.
- Perfectly Seared: Tips for getting that golden, crispy crust on your cod.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- Olive oil for cooking
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Serves: 4
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How to Make Garlic Butter Cod (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Prep Your Cod
Start by patting your cod fillets dry with a paper towel. This is the secret to achieving that perfect sear! Then, season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Sear the Cod
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully place the cod fillets in the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes on one side until they develop a beautiful golden crust. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Once cooked, transfer the fillets to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Let it melt, then toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about a minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning. The aroma alone will have your mouth watering!
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Step 4: Add the Final Touches
Stir in the chopped parsley, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest, mixing everything together to create a flavorful, zesty butter sauce.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Return the seared cod fillets to the skillet, spooning that garlicky, buttery goodness over the top. Let everything simmer together for about a minute to warm the fish back up and soak in all those incredible flavors.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Plate the cod fillets and drizzle any extra garlic butter sauce over them. Garnish with a little more fresh parsley if you’d like. Serve immediately with your favorite sides!
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Cod
This cod pairs beautifully with so many sides! Here are some ideas:
- Roasted Vegetables: Asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or zucchini.
- Rice or Quinoa: To soak up that extra garlic butter sauce.
- Mashed Potatoes: A creamy, comforting pairing.
- Salad: A light, fresh contrast to the richness of the butter sauce.
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Tips for the Best Garlic Butter Cod
- Use fresh cod if possible! It has the best texture and flavor.
- Pat the fillets dry before cooking. This ensures the perfect sear.
- Don’t move the cod around too much in the pan. Let it develop a crust before flipping.
- Watch the garlic carefully. It burns quickly, so keep stirring!
Can I Use Frozen Cod?
Absolutely! I keep a package of Atlantic Cod from Whole Foods in my freezer at all times. Just make sure to thaw it completely and pat it dry before cooking. Excess moisture can prevent that golden-brown sear.
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Storing and Reheating
- Store: Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a skillet over low heat with a little extra butter to keep it moist.
Try This Easy & Flavorful Garlic Butter Cod Tonight!
This is one of those recipes that’s so simple yet feels restaurant-quality. The flaky, tender cod with that rich, buttery, garlicky sauce is just irresistible! Give it a try and let me know how it turns out in the comments. Enjoy!
Garlic Butter Cod
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets about 6 ounces each
- Olive oil for cooking
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Your Cod
- Start by patting your cod fillets dry with a paper towel. This is the secret to achieving that perfect sear! Then, season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Sear the Cod
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, carefully place the cod fillets in the pan. Let them cook undisturbed for about 4-5 minutes on one side until they develop a beautiful golden crust. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Once cooked, transfer the fillets to a plate and set aside.
Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the butter. Let it melt, then toss in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for about a minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning. The aroma alone will have your mouth watering!
Step 4: Add the Final Touches
- Stir in the chopped parsley, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest, mixing everything together to create a flavorful, zesty butter sauce.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
- Return the seared cod fillets to the skillet, spooning that garlicky, buttery goodness over the top. Let everything simmer together for about a minute to warm the fish back up and soak in all those incredible flavors.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
- Plate the cod fillets and drizzle any extra garlic butter sauce over them. Garnish with a little more fresh parsley if you’d like. Serve immediately with your favorite sides!
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Love a good fish recipe!
me too! enjoy!
This looks so good! I love that it has minimal ingredients. I am definitely going to be trying this one out!
Easy and delicious…. my favorite combo. : )
I love garlic and I love lemon so this recipe is calling my name! Thanks for sharing!
Ooh, me too! I have a lemon, broccoli pasta dish that is a family favorite on the blog for you to check out. : )
We have a weekly fish night and I’m always looking for new recipes. This looks delicious, thanks for sharing!
Enjoy!
This looks amazing! This looks perfect for a special meal we can make for one of my husband’s and I’s at home date nights!
Aww, that’s a great idea! Enjoy!