Description
Delicate lemon butter sautéed cod delivers Mediterranean coastal elegance with minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Delightful fish fillets melt in your mouth, whisking diners straight to seaside restaurant memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 cod fillets (6 ounces/170 grams each)
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Zest of 1 lemon
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons (½ cup/120 milliliters) unsalted butter
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Extra lemon slices for serving
Instructions
- Meticulously pat cod fillets with paper towels, ensuring surface moisture is completely removed. Generously season both sides with salt and pepper to amplify the fish’s inherent flavors.
- Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, adding olive oil until it shimmers with anticipation. Gently place cod fillets into the hot pan, allowing them to develop a golden, crisp exterior.
- After approximately 4 minutes, when the first side achieves a beautiful caramelized hue, delicately flip the fillets using a spatula. Immediately reduce heat to medium and introduce butter and minced garlic around the fish.
- As butter melts, create a luxurious sauce by continuously spooning the aromatic liquid over the cod. This technique ensures the fish becomes infused with rich, garlicky undertones.
- Monitor the cod’s doneness, watching for the moment it flakes effortlessly with gentle pressure from a fork. This typically occurs within 3-4 minutes of the second side cooking.
- Elevate the dish’s brightness by drizzling fresh lemon juice and scattering zest across the fillets. Continue basting with the buttery citrus sauce to ensure complete flavor coverage.
- Finish the presentation by scattering chopped parsley over the fish and arranging additional lemon slices alongside. Complement the cod with steamed green vegetables or a crisp garden salad for a perfectly balanced meal.
Notes
- Cod fillets absorb flavors quickly, so season and cook with precision.
- Butter and lemon create a delicate sauce that elevates the mild fish’s natural taste.
- Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous finish to the golden-crusted seafood dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg