Pan-Seared Cod with Muskegon Lake Herb Butter
Tender pan-seared cod fillets finished with a fragrant herb butter inspired by the fresh waters of Muskegon Lake. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs cod fillets, salt, black pepper 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
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves, minced garlic cloves
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
- Step 3: Place the cod fillets skin-side down (if skin on) and cook for 4-5 minutes without moving until the edges are crispy and golden.
- Step 4: Carefully flip the cod and cook the other side for 3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 5: Reduce heat to medium-low and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan.
- Step 6: Spoon the melted herb butter continuously over the cod for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and the butter thickens slightly, then remove from heat and serve immediately.







