Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon-Butter Sauce

Name: Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon-Butter Sauce
Ingredients: Cod fillets (6 oz each) - 2; Olive oil - 2 tablespoons; Butter - 2 tablespoons; Lemon - 1, juiced; Garlic - 2 cloves, minced; Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped; Salt - 1/2 teaspoon; Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon; All-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon (optional, for thicker crust)

Recipe by Zideons

Published December 27, 2025

This pan-seared cod recipe delivers flaky, tender fish with a beautiful golden crust. The bright lemon-butter sauce elevates the simple cod into an elegant weeknight meal that's ready in under 20 minutes.

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This recipe was generated by artificial intelligence and may not be fully accurate. Always use your best judgment, follow proper food safety practices, and adjust ingredients or cooking methods as needed. MealMagX is not responsible for cooking outcomes, dietary reactions, or food safety issues.

Ingredients

Cod fillets (6 oz each) - 2

Olive oil - 2 tablespoons

Butter - 2 tablespoons

Lemon - 1, juiced

Garlic - 2 cloves, minced

Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped

Salt - 1/2 teaspoon

Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon

All-purpose flour - 1 tablespoon (optional, for thicker crust)

Instructions

Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly dust with flour if desired.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the cod fillets in the skillet, skin-side down if applicable.

Sear the cod for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).

Remove the cod from the skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Cook for another minute, stirring constantly.

Pour the lemon-butter sauce over the seared cod fillets and serve immediately.

Final Notes

Serve this delicious cod with a side of roasted vegetables, rice, or quinoa for a complete and satisfying meal. Garnish with extra parsley and lemon wedges for a pop of freshness. Enjoy!

About the Author

Zideons

Cooking is my passion. I love blogging and sharing my creative recipes with the world. With my busy lifestyle, it can be challenging to create new recipes, write posts, and ensure everything is formatted and presented well. I started MealMagX for this very reason—for those who share my passion for creative cooking but may not have the time to maintain a blog.