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Easy Pan Fried Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce

Easy Pan Fried Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce

This easy yet elegant recipe showcases mild and flaky cod fillets, accentuated by a zesty lemon-herb butter sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 900 kcal

Equipment

  • Non-stick skillet
  • Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients
  

For the Cod

  • 4 fillets cod about 6 ounces each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

For the Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce

  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 lemon Juice
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh herbs parsley, thyme, and/or dill
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Instructions
 

Preparing the Cod

  • Preheat the Pan: Place a non-stick (or cast-iron) skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil.
  • Season the Fish: While the pan is heating, pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

Cooking the Cod

  • Sear the Cod: Once the oil is hot but not smoking, carefully place the cod fillets in the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Remove the fillets and set them aside on a warm plate.

Making the Lemon-Herb Butter Sauce

  • Prepare the Pan: Lower the heat to medium and remove any bits leftover from cooking the fish, if necessary.
  • Melt the Butter: Add the butter to the pan and let it melt, swirling the pan occasionally.
  • Add Lemon and Herbs: Once the butter is fully melted, add the lemon juice and fresh herbs to the pan. Stir to combine.
  • Season: Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper as needed.
  • Combine: Spoon the lemon-herb butter sauce over the cooked cod fillets.

Serving

  • Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with additional fresh herbs or a lemon wedge. Serve immediately.

Notes

Feel free to mix and match herbs based on your preference or what you have on hand. Make sure the skillet is hot but not smoking to get a nice golden sear on the cod without burning it. You can check if the fish is cooked by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the fillet; if it flakes easily, it's done. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can remove the cod fillets from the pan after cooking, then simmer the sauce to reduce it before spooning over the fish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1filletCalories: 900kcalCarbohydrates: 0.01gProtein: 160gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 417mgSodium: 488mgPotassium: 3720mgSugar: 0.01gVitamin A: 710IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 147mgIron: 3mg
Keyword cod, Easy, Lemon Butter Sauce, pan-fried, recipe
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