North Sea Crispy Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon Dill

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Perfectly crisp-skinned cod fillets with bright lemon-dill sauce, echoing the fresh seafood offerings of Brussels' coastal-inspired restaurants. This belgian-inspired seafood ready in about 20 minutes pairs (6 oz each) Cod fillets, Olive oil, zested and juiced Lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 260 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.

★ 3.9 (14 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 Belgian cuisine 260 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp lemon zest.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place cod skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crisp.
  3. Step 3: Flip cod, add 1 minced garlic clove and 1 tbsp fresh dill to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium, cook for 3-4 minutes until fish is opaque and reaches 145°F internal temperature, then spoon melted butter and lemon juice over top.
  4. Step 4: Transfer to plates immediately, spooning any lemon-dill butter sauce from the skillet over the fish.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does North Sea Crispy Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon Dill take to make?

Total time is about 20 minutes (10 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 North Sea Crispy Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon Dill?

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 North Sea Crispy Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon Dill?

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 North Sea Crispy Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon Dill 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 North Sea Crispy Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon Dill?

Belgian 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.

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