Pan-Seared Cod with Garlic Butter and Lemon

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-26 · Updated 2026-06-26

Tender cod fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and finished with a zesty garlic butter sauce. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs cod fillets, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced 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.

Ingredients

• 4 pieces (6 oz each) cod fillets
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp sea 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. Add the cod fillets skin-side down and cook for 4 minutes without moving until the edges are crispy and golden.
3. Step 3: Flip the fillets carefully and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the pan. Spoon the melted garlic butter over the fish for 2-3 minutes until cod is opaque and flakes easily.
4. Step 4: Remove the pan from heat, squeeze 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice over the fillets, and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley before serving.