Pan-Seared Fresh Cod with Lemon-Dill Sauce

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

Velvety cod fillets seared to perfection and crowned with a bright, herb-infused lemon sauce that highlights the fish's natural sweetness. This American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs cod fillets, olive oil, 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), skin-on cod fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1, zested and juiced lemon
• 3 tbsp, finely chopped fresh dill
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Place cod skin-side down in the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes until skin is golden and crisp, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes until fish is opaque at the thickest part.
3. Step 3: Transfer cod to a plate, leaving the pan drippings. Add remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in lemon juice, heavy cream, and lemon zest, and simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly and coats the back of a spoon. Stir in 2 tbsp dill, then spoon sauce over the cod.