If you’re looking for the best cod fish recipe for busy weeknights, this is it. My garlic butter pan-fried cod is on the table in just 15 minutes, and it never fails to impress. I grew up eating cod fish in Brazil, where it’s a staple thanks to Portuguese culinary influence. They brought it over, and we embraced it wholeheartedly. That love for simple, flavorful cod has followed me into my own kitchen, and this recipe is my go-to every single time.
The Cod Fish Recipe I Make on Repeat
Cod is one of my favorite fish to cook with, and I think it’s because of that mild, flaky flavor that works with almost everything.
I grew up eating cod fish in Brazil, where it’s a beloved staple thanks to Portuguese culinary influence. They brought it over, and we embraced it wholeheartedly. That love for this fish has followed me straight into my own kitchen. From my Brazilian cod fish stew, my air fryer cod fish to my grilled cod fish tacos, it’s a fish I come back to again and again.
This cod fish recipe has earned a permanent spot in my weeknight dinner rotation, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. It’s ready in just 15 minutes, made entirely in one pan, and the cleanup is almost nothing, exactly what I need on busy or stressful days.
Even if you’ve never cooked cod fish before, you’ll feel confident with this one. Simply pan-sear the fish, baste it with rich garlicky butter, and serve it alongside mashed potatoes, or air fryer green beans — dinner is done!
But if you want to use a different fish, this same garlic butter method works beautifully with my pan-seared garlic butter sea bass and garlic butter halibut too. Same technique, equally delicious results.
Cod Fish — I’ve cooked with both Pacific and Atlantic cod and honestly both work beautifully here. Pacific cod tends to be slightly firmer, while Atlantic cod is a little more delicate and flaky, either will give you a great result. Fresh is ideal, because it gives you a slightly firmer texture and better sear. But frozen works just as well as long as you thaw it properly. I always thaw mine overnight in the fridge. If I’m short on time, I submerge the fillets in cold water and change the water every 10 minutes or so. They’re ready in about 20-30 minutes.
One tip I always follow is choosing the right size fillets. Over the years, I’ve found that medium-sized fillets cook more evenly, while very thick ones can stay undercooked inside and very thin ones tend to dry out quickly.
Spices — I’m generous with spices when I cook cod fish because its mild flavor is the perfect canvas for bold seasoning. I use garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper every time, and when I want a little heat I add a pinch of cayenne. Don’t be shy here. These spices are what make the garlic butter sauce truly stand out.
Unsalted Butter — I always reach for unsalted butter in this recipe. Cod is naturally delicate, and using unsalted butter gives me full control over the salt level so the dish never ends up too salty. I’ve made it with salted butter in a pinch and it works, but I always prefer unsalted.
Fresh Garlic — This is non-negotiable for me. Freshly minced garlic gives the butter sauce a vibrant, aromatic punch that jarred garlic simply can’t match. I mince it myself every single time. It takes 30 seconds and makes a real difference in the final flavor.
Substitutions: I’ve made this recipe several times using other white fish like haddock, pollack, swordfish or mahi-mahi with great results every time. So feel free to use whichever one you have on hand! This recipe also works well with salmon.
1. Pat dry and season: This step makes or breaks your sear. I press the paper towel firmly on each fillet and hold it there for a few seconds. You want as little surface moisture as possible before the fish hits the pan. Season them really well too.
2. Sear without touching it: Once the fillets are in the pan, leave them alone. This is the part most people get wrong, moving the fish too early causes it to fall apart. You’ll know it’s ready to flip when the edges look opaque and the fillet releases from the pan without sticking.
Note: If you have a fish spatula, it’s makes flipping much easier and the fish won’t break apart easily.
3. Baste with the garlic butter: Once the butter hits the pan and starts to foam, add your garlic and tilt the pan slightly so the butter pools to one side. It makes it so much easier to spoon over the fish.
4. Pull it off the heat at the right moment: Cod fish goes from perfect to overcooked very quickly, so I always use an food thermometer rather than guessing. You’re looking for 145°F (63°C) internally. Sprinkle chopped green onions or parsley over the top and squeeze a little bit of lemon juice on top too.
Olivia’s Best Cod Recipe Tips
- Avoid letting the cod cool in the pan: Visually, the flesh should be completely opaque and flake apart with just a gentle press of a fork. The moment it’s done, get it off the pan. The residual heat from a cast iron will keep cooking it even after you turn off the stove.
- Room temperature fish sears better. I take my cod out of the fridge about 10 minutes before cooking. A cold fillet straight from the fridge hits the hot pan and the outside cooks before the inside has a chance to catch up. Those 10 minutes make the cooking much more even throughout.
- Watch the butter carefully. Butter can go from golden and nutty to burnt very quickly, especially in a cast iron skillet that retains heat so well. If I notice it starting to darken too fast, I take the pan off the heat for a few seconds. The residual heat finishes the job perfectly without any bitterness in the sauce.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. I learned this the hard way early on. Too many fillets at once drops the pan temperature dramatically, and instead of getting that golden crust you end up with pale, watery fish. I cook in batches if I’m making more than 4 fillets and always get better results.
Try it!
Best Fish Turner
I love using this turner because it’s designed to cradle delicate fillets and easily flip them without them breaking apart.
Garlic Butter Cod Fish Recipe – (Ready in 15 Minutes)
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 5 small cod fish fillets
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp garlic clove minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped green onions for garnishing
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Pat cod fish dry with paper towel and season all over with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and salt and pepper.
- Place the cod fish in a large (10-inch) skillet and turn the heat to medium. Sear fish for 3-4 minutes. Flip your cod fish fillets over to cook the other side. Add butter and when it melts, add garlic and lemon zest. Cook for about 1 minute.
- Gently remove fish from the pan and plate onto a serving dish. Garnish with green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did You Make This?
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Easy delicious Willmar over and over
Awesome!
My husband and I tried this cod Tonight for dinner and we loved it. I will make it again.
That’s amazing!
Loved this cod dish. Everyone voted 9/10
So happy you liked it!
I tried this tonight and it was scrumptious and very easy to make. I had sole instead of cod and it was delicious. I will make it again.
Awesome! Happy you liked it 😉
if the salt is left out of the recipe then how much sodium is it.
You can calculate it using an app call myfitnesspal.
Absolutely delicious!
Indeed it’s amazing! One of my fave fish recipes.
Simply delicious
Happy you liked it!
Delicious and easy to make
Happy you liked it!
sounds delicious
Easy, quick a delicious! And the spices that are called for are exactly what I would use.
So happy to hear that 😉
Making it right now ❤️
Hope you liked it. Please let me know how it turned out.
First attempt in making this. Using codfish myself. It tasted good.
That’s amazing!! Thanks for stopping by 😉
I made right away for Easter. Every one loved it. Thank you for sharing❤️
You’re so welcome. Happy you enjoyed this recipe 😉
Easy, quick and flavorful. I’ll make cod this way again.
Amazing! So happy to hear that!
Oh my goodness, this was AMAZING!!! Will make again for sure!
So happy you liked it! It’s so good and my family and I love it too 😉
I love this recipe. It is awesome thank you so much for sharing this with us. I make this over and over all the time. It is the best.Sye
That makes me so happy to hear! 🥰 Thank you for the kind words—knowing you make it over and over really means a lot. I’m so glad it’s become a favorite for you. 💛
I will try recipe but what sides would be good with this recipe
We love to serve it with baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, roasted green beans or asparagus and rice.
Hi Olivia,
I made this recipe this evening and it was absolutely amazing! What a wonderful recipe quick and easy!
Thanks,
Valarie
Aww so happy you liked this recipe! Thanks for stopping by. Your comment made my day 😉
Very good! This combination of seasonings is great and it’s super fast to make. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it! 😊 I’m happy you loved the seasoning combo and how quick it is to make. Thanks for trying it! 💛