Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Garlic
Crisp-skinned cod fillets with a bright dill-garlic butter sauce, finished with a citrus zing for a restaurant-quality weeknight dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz) cod fillets, olive oil, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
- for serving lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add cod fillets and cook for 4 minutes per side, until golden and flaky, then transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Step 3: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and butter to the skillet, then add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Step 4: Stir in chopped dill and lemon juice, then pour the sauce over the cod fillets and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Garlic take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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-Seared Cod with Dill and Garlic?
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 Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Garlic?
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-Seared Cod with Dill and Garlic 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 Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Garlic?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.