Pan-Seared Cod with Dill Lemon Butter
Flaky cod fillets topped with a fragrant dill and lemon butter sauce, served with roasted vegetables. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, salt, 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 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) cod fillets
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 2 tbsp, fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add cod fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and flaky.
- Step 3: Remove cod from skillet and set aside. Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp chopped dill, and 2 tbsp lemon juice to the skillet, stirring to melt butter and combine.
- Step 4: Simmer sauce for 1 minute until slightly thickened. Return cod to skillet, spooning sauce over top. Cook for 1 minute to reheat. Garnish with 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Cod with Dill Lemon Butter 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 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 (6 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Cod with Dill 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 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.
What goes well with Pan-Seared Cod with Dill Lemon Butter?
American 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
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
