Pan-Seared Cod with Citrus Herb Butter

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Tender cod fillets pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with a bright citrus herb butter that enhances the ocean-fresh flavor. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs cod fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 cod fillets and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add the cod fillets to the skillet skin-side down and cook for 4-5 minutes, until the edges are crispy and golden.
  4. Step 4: Carefully flip the fillets and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until cooked through and opaque.
  5. Step 5: Remove the cod and set aside on a warm plate.
  6. Step 6: Lower heat to medium and melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in the same skillet, then add 2 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Step 7: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tsp orange zest, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 tbsp fresh orange juice, cooking for 30 seconds until the sauce thickens slightly.
  8. Step 8: Spoon the citrus herb butter over the cod fillets before serving.

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