Description
Succulent lemon garlic butter cod delivers Mediterranean coastal magic on your plate, bringing fresh ocean flavors with elegant simplicity. Crispy skin and rich butter sauce promise a delightful seafood experience you’ll savor with each perfectly seasoned bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cod fillets (6 ounces / 170 grams each, skin-on)
Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Cooking and Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (plus 1 tablespoon for cooking)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Meticulously blot cod fillets using paper towels to eliminate excess moisture, ensuring optimal crispy skin development.
- Generously season both surfaces of fish with aromatic salt, freshly ground pepper, and vibrant paprika for enhanced flavor profile.
- Preheat a heavy-bottomed skillet to medium-high temperature, creating an ideal searing environment.
- Introduce olive oil and butter to the heated pan, allowing them to meld and create a rich cooking foundation.
- Carefully position cod fillets skin-side down, applying gentle pressure with a spatula to maximize skin contact and promote even crispiness.
- Allow fish to cook undisturbed for 4-5 minutes, developing a golden-brown, crisp exterior without breaking the delicate flesh.
- Gently flip fillets and continue cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes until fish turns opaque and easily flakes with minimal pressure.
- Simultaneously prepare lemon garlic sauce by melting butter in a separate small saucepan over low heat.
- Incorporate minced garlic into melted butter, allowing aromatics to infuse for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Add fresh lemon juice and a subtle salt pinch to the garlic butter, creating a bright, zesty sauce.
- Transfer perfectly cooked cod to serving plates, drizzling generously with the warm lemon garlic butter.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and herbal freshness.
- Accompany the dish with lemon wedges, inviting diners to customize their flavor intensity.
Notes
- Ensure fish is completely dry before cooking to achieve ultra-crispy skin that doesn’t stick to the pan.
- Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and perfect golden-brown searing.
- Control heat carefully to prevent butter from burning while developing a beautiful crisp texture on cod.
- Quick cooking prevents fish from becoming tough, maintaining its delicate, flaky consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg