Herb-Crusted Fresh Cod with Citrus Beurre Blanc
Delicate cod fillets coated in a fragrant herb crust, served with a silky citrus beurre blanc sauce that highlights the fish's natural sweetness. This french-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 each) cod fillets
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup, softened butter
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, mix dill, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Season with salt and white pepper. Press herb mixture onto both sides of cod fillets.
- Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add cod and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until flaky and just cooked through.
- Step 3: For beurre blanc: In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in lemon juice, white wine, and heavy cream. Return to low heat and cook until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with remaining salt and pepper.
- Step 4: Serve cod with sauce drizzled over top, accompanied by steamed asparagus or lemon rice.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Crusted Fresh Cod with Citrus Beurre Blanc take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (30 min prep + 20 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 Herb-Crusted Fresh Cod with Citrus Beurre Blanc?
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 each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Crusted Fresh Cod with Citrus Beurre Blanc?
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 Herb-Crusted Fresh Cod with Citrus Beurre Blanc 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 Herb-Crusted Fresh Cod with Citrus Beurre Blanc?
French seafood 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★☆☆
Okay for a quick meal. I've had better seafood dishes though.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
