Garlic Butter Cod – Quick & Delicious Seafood Recipe
This quick and easy garlic butter cod is light, flaky, and packed with flavor. Cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of lemon, this dish is perfect for a healthy, low-carb meal in under 20 minutes!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Pan-Seared
- Method: Main Course, Seafood
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
1. Prep the Cod
- Pat cod fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture (this helps them brown nicely).
- Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
2. Sear the Cod
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Place cod fillets in the pan and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
3. Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add butter, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the pan.
- Spoon the melted butter over the fish while cooking for another 2 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fillets.
4. Serve & Enjoy
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges.
- Pair with steamed veggies, rice, or mashed potatoes for a complete meal!
Notes
- Don’t overcook! Cod should be opaque and flaky when done.
- For extra flavor, add a splash of white wine to the butter sauce.
- Swap the fish: This recipe works great with halibut, tilapia, or salmon.