Pan-Fried Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Herb Salad

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate cod fillets pan-fried in a bright lemon-garlic butter sauce, served alongside a fresh herb and arugula salad. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs (5 oz each), skin removed cod fillets, divided salt, divided black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 12 min Serves 2 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 2 cod fillets dry, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Lightly dredge each fillet in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add cod fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and opaque throughout. Remove fish and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, and 1 tsp lemon zest to the butter sauce. Stir and let simmer for 1 minute.
  5. Step 5: Toss 2 cups fresh arugula with a pinch of salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Serve cod fillets topped with the lemon-garlic butter sauce alongside the herbaceous arugula salad.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Fried Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Herb Salad take to make?

Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 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 Pan-Fried Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Herb Salad?

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 divided salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Fried Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Herb Salad?

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 Pan-Fried Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Herb Salad for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Pan-Fried Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Herb Salad?

Mediterranean 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.

Related recipes