Grilled Cod with Lemon-Dill Butter
Tender cod fillets grilled to golden perfection and finished with a vibrant herb-infused butter sauce that complements the fish's natural sweetness. This seafood-inspired grilling ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz) cod fillets, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 300 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz) cod fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1, zested and juiced (about 1 tbsp juice) lemon
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 (6 oz) cod fillets dry with paper towels. Brush both sides with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Preheat grill to 375°F. Place cod on the grill and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 3: In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp fresh dill, 1 tbsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter. Stir until smooth and butter is melted.
- Step 4: Transfer grilled cod to a serving plate and top each fillet with 1/2 tbsp lemon-dill butter mixture, letting it melt slightly.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Grilled Cod with Lemon-Dill Butter take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Grilled Cod with Lemon-Dill Butter?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Cod with Lemon-Dill Butter?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Grilled Cod with Lemon-Dill Butter for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Grilled Cod with Lemon-Dill Butter?
Seafood grilling like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Perfect grilling recipe for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.