Pan-Seared Fish with Onion-Lemon Sauce and Thyme

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-11 · Updated 2026-04-11

Tender cod fillets bathed in a bright sauce of caramelized onions, fresh lemon, and fragrant thyme, finished with a golden sear. This West African-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs cod fillets, onion, lemon 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 large, thinly sliced onion
• 1, zested and juiced lemon
• 1 tbsp fresh, finely chopped thyme
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add cod and cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden and flaky; transfer to a plate and tent with foil.
2. Step 2: Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp butter to the skillet. Add sliced onion and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes until deeply caramelized and soft, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
3. Step 3: Stir in lemon zest and juice, then add 1/4 cup water and simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Return cod to skillet, spooning sauce over top, and cook for 1 minute to heat through. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp fresh thyme and serve immediately.