Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Lemon Butter
Elegant yet simple, this dish features tender cod fillets with a bright herb-infused butter sauce that complements the fish perfectly. This american-inspired seafood (low-sodium) ready in about 17 minutes pairs (6 oz each), skin-on cod fillets, divided butter, thinly sliced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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), skin-on cod fillets
- 3 tbsp, divided butter
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 clove, minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (about 2 minutes).
- Step 3: Place cod skin-side down in skillet and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
- Step 4: Flip fillets and cook for 3 more minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: Remove fish from skillet and set aside. Add 1 tbsp butter, minced garlic, and lemon slices to the pan, swirling to melt butter and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 6: Stir in lemon juice and 1 tbsp dill, then pour the sauce over the cooked cod fillets and garnish with remaining dill.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Lemon Butter take to make?
Total time is about 17 minutes (10 min prep + 7 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 Lemon Butter?
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 butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Lemon Butter?
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 Lemon Butter 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.
Is Pan-Seared Cod with Dill and Lemon Butter low-sodium?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-sodium based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order american delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.
