Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Fresh Parsley
Tender cod fillets seared to golden perfection and finished with a vibrant butter sauce infused with garlic, lemon, and aromatic herbs. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (6 oz each) Cod fillets, Butter, Lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, 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
- 2 (6 oz each) Cod fillets
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 1 Lemon
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 2 cod fillets (6 oz each) dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add cod fillets and cook for 4 minutes without moving to develop a golden crust.
- Step 3: Flip cod and cook for 3-4 minutes until opaque and flaky, then transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp butter, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 thinly sliced lemon to the skillet, cooking for 1 minute until garlic is fragrant.
- Step 5: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and pour the sauce over the cod, serving immediately.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Fresh Parsley take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (15 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 Lemon-Garlic Butter and Fresh Parsley?
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 Lemon-Garlic Butter and Fresh Parsley?
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 Lemon-Garlic Butter and Fresh Parsley for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon-Garlic Butter and Fresh Parsley?
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
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a keeper. So simple and fresh, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
- ★★★★★
Loved it! My family devoured this dish, and the lemon-garlic butter was perfect.
- ★★★★☆
Delicious, but the parsley made it slightly bland for my family's preference.
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