Easy Garlic Butter Cod Recipe: Flaky Delight for Seafood Lovers

Crispy, delicate garlic butter cod brings pure magic to your dinner table.

Seafood enthusiasts appreciate how this recipe transforms simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Mediterranean coastal kitchens inspired this delightful dish that melts in your mouth.

Salt and herbs complement the mild fish perfectly.

Weeknight cooking becomes elegant with minimal preparation time.

Professional chefs and home cooks alike appreciate the straightforward technique.

You’ll be amazed how quickly this impressive meal comes together.

Savor every bite of this restaurant-quality seafood experience.

Garlic Butter Cod That’s Light Yet Rich

• Whip Up Quick Seafood Magic: Super-fast cod recipe ready in just 10 minutes, perfect for busy weeknight dinners when time is tight.
• Foolproof Cooking Method: Beginner-friendly technique requires minimal cooking skills, ensuring even novice home cooks can create restaurant-quality fish without stress or complicated steps.
• Flavor Explosion in Every Bite: Bold garlic butter combination delivers rich, savory taste that transforms simple cod into a mouthwatering meal kids and adults will absolutely love.
• Healthy Protein Power: Lean cod provides excellent nutrition with high protein and low calories, making this dish an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious families.

What’s Coated in Garlic Butter Cod

• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Salt, Black Pepper: Classic spice blend that adds depth and warmth to the fish, enhancing its natural flavor.

• Cod Fillets: Mild, flaky white fish that absorbs seasonings beautifully and cooks quickly.

• Butter, Fresh Lemon Juice: Butter provides rich, golden color and smooth texture, while lemon juice adds bright, fresh acidity to balance the dish.

• Fresh Parsley, Lemon Slices: Parsley brings a pop of color and herbal freshness, and lemon slices offer a decorative and zesty touch to the final presentation.

Garlic Butter Cod Cooking Instructions

Step 1: Whip Up Flavor Explosion

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix all spices thoroughly in a small bowl, creating a flavor-packed seasoning blend that will make your taste buds dance.

Step 2: Dress the Fish in Seasoning

Lovingly sprinkle the spice mixture across both sides of the cod fillets, ensuring every inch gets a generous coating of the aromatic blend.

Step 3: Fire Up the Skillet

Heat a large skillet over medium-high flame and melt butter until it sizzles and shimmers with golden promise.

Carefully place the seasoned cod into the skillet, letting it sear for about 2 minutes to develop a gorgeous golden crust.

Step 4: Gentle Flip and Butter Bath

Lower the heat to medium-low, then gently turn the cod.

Add an extra pat of butter around the fish, allowing it to create a luxurious sauce.

Let the fish cook for another 3-4 minutes until it becomes beautifully opaque and flakes with the lightest touch of a fork.

Step 5: Final Flourish

Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the perfectly cooked cod, then scatter chopped parsley and arrange bright lemon slices as a vibrant garnish.

Serve immediately while the fish is warm and the butter is still singing with flavor.

Cod Baking Tips With Garlic Butter

• Use freshly minced garlic instead of garlic powder for a more intense, robust taste that elevates the entire dish.
• Ensure your skillet is properly preheated and use a non-stick pan or cast-iron skillet to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without fish breaking apart.
• Use a fork to gently test cod's flakiness; when it easily separates and appears opaque white, it's cooked to perfection without overcooking.
• Swap butter with olive oil for a heart-healthy alternative that maintains delicious flavor while reducing saturated fat content.
• Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels before seasoning to help create a crispy exterior and ensure better seasoning adherence during cooking.

Keeping Garlic Butter Cod Flaky for Later Meals

• Store leftover cod in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 1-2 days in the refrigerator.
• Warm cod in the oven at 275°F for 10-15 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out and maintain moisture.
• Heat cod in short 30-second intervals, checking frequently to avoid overcooking and preserving its delicate texture.
• Eat refrigerated cod within 1-2 days for the best flavor and to ensure food safety, discarding if it smells fishy or looks discolored.

Sides For Garlic Butter Cod

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the delicate cod's buttery flavor profile.
• Match Fresh Green Salad: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the rich garlic butter and provide a zesty contrast.
• Highlight Roasted Asparagus: Prepare tender roasted asparagus spears with olive oil and sea salt to enhance the seafood's elegant texture and add nutritional depth.
• Serve Herbed Quinoa: Prepare a light quinoa side dish with fresh herbs like parsley and dill to provide a protein-rich accompaniment that absorbs the garlic butter's delicious notes.

Garlic Cod Styles

• Low-Sodium Version: Replace salt with herb blend and use unsalted butter to reduce sodium content while maintaining rich flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil for similar cooking technique, adding nutritional yeast for depth of taste.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all spices are certified gluten-free and use fresh herbs instead of pre-mixed seasonings to avoid potential cross-contamination.
• Mediterranean Remix: Add dried oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes to seasoning mix, then finish with crumbled feta cheese and kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired presentation.

FAQs

• Can I use frozen cod for this recipe?

Yes, thaw the frozen cod completely in the refrigerator overnight and pat dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure even cooking and prevent excess moisture.

• What if I don't have fresh cod?

You can substitute cod with other white fish like halibut, tilapia, or haddock. Just adjust cooking time based on the thickness of the fish.

• How do I know when the cod is perfectly cooked?

The fish is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F, and the flesh should look pearly white and slightly translucent.

• Is this recipe considered healthy?

Cod is a lean protein low in calories and high in nutrients. Cooking with butter adds flavor, and the recipe is relatively low-carb and protein-rich, making it a nutritious meal option.

Garlic Butter Cod Recipe

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4.9 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 18 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter cod brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to your dinner table with elegant simplicity. Light, flaky fish nestles in rich, herb-infused butter, promising a delightful culinary experience you’ll savor from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) cod fillets, cut into smaller pieces

Butter and Seasonings:

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Finishing Ingredients:

• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• Lemon slices (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty spice blend by whisking together aromatic garlic powder, onion powder, smoky paprika, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small mixing bowl.
2. Generously dust the cod fillets with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring an even coating that will enhance the fish’s natural flavors.
3. Warm a large skillet over medium-high heat, allowing the pan to become thoroughly heated before introducing a generous pat of butter.
4. Carefully place the seasoned cod into the sizzling skillet, allowing the first side to develop a golden-brown crust for approximately 2 minutes.
5. Gently turn the fillets, reducing the heat to medium-low, and introduce additional butter to create a luscious, silky sauce that will envelop the fish.
6. Continue cooking for 3-4 minutes, watching for the cod to transform into a translucent, flaky texture that indicates perfect doneness.
7. Elevate the dish by cascading fresh lemon juice over the fillets, creating a bright, citrusy contrast to the rich buttery base.
8. Scatter vibrant chopped parsley across the fish and artfully arrange lemon slices alongside, presenting a visually appealing and aromatic seafood masterpiece ready to be savored immediately.

Notes

• Choose thick, fresh cod fillets for the best texture and flavor, ensuring they’re uniform in size for even cooking.
• Pat fish dry with paper towels before seasoning to help create a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming.
• Adjust cooking time based on fillet thickness, aiming for an internal temperature of 145°F to guarantee perfectly cooked fish.
• Use a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron pan to prevent sticking and achieve a beautiful golden exterior.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 355
• Sugar: 0.5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 1 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg