Description
Crispy pan fried cod with lemon butter sauce delivers restaurant-quality seafood right to your dinner table in minutes. Fresh fish sizzles in a golden pan, draped with tangy citrus butter that makes your taste buds dance with pure coastal flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cod fillets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Supporting Ingredients:
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Juice of 1 lemon
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) with paper towels, ensuring maximum dryness. Sprinkle both sides generously with ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh herbs.
- Warm 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the surface shimmers and appears slightly rippled, about 2 minutes.
- Carefully place seasoned cod fillets into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes until the bottom develops a golden-brown crust.
- Gently flip fillets and continue cooking the opposite side for another 4-5 minutes, ensuring the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F and becomes opaque throughout.
- Transfer perfectly cooked cod to a clean serving plate, leaving behind the delicious pan drippings.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium and melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter, swirling the pan to coat the surface evenly.
- Squeeze juice from 1 whole lemon directly into the melted butter, stirring quickly to combine and create a smooth, fragrant sauce.
- Stir in remaining 1 tbsp fresh herbs and season sauce with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
- Drizzle the hot lemon butter sauce directly over the cod fillets, ensuring each piece receives an equal coating.
- Serve immediately, with extra chopped herbs sprinkled on top for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Notes
- Patting the cod fillets dry ensures a crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in the delicate fish’s moisture.
- Use fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or thyme to enhance the cod’s mild flavor and complement the bright lemon sauce.
- Choose a heavy-bottomed skillet to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning, creating a perfectly cooked piece of fish.
- For a gluten-free option, replace herbs with alternative seasonings like capers or paprika, and serve with a side of roasted vegetables.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Category: Cod
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 377 kcal
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg