This Garlic Butter Cod Recipe is a simple yet flavorful dish made with fresh cod fillets and a rich, garlicky butter sauce. Perfect for a quick, hassle-free dinner that’s ready in minutes! One of my favorite ways to enjoy cod!
Cod is one of my favorite fish to cook with—maybe because I love its mild, flaky flavor. I grew up eating cod in Brazil, where it’s a popular fish thanks to Portuguese influence. They brought it over, and we embraced it wholeheartedly.
It’s also incredibly easy to cook, which is exactly what I need on busy or stressful days. The last thing I want is a complicated recipe with too many steps—and I’m sure you can relate! That’s why I love this cod recipe.
This cod fish recipe is incredibly tender and full of flavor! Simply pan-sear the fish, then baste it with rich, garlicky butter for the perfect finish. Let’s get cooking!
Cod Fish – You can use Pacific cod or Atlantic cod, either fresh or frozen. When I buy frozen cod, I like to fully thaw overnight in the fridge it before cooking. If short on time, submerge it in cold water, changing the water as needed, for 20-30 minutes.
Spices: When I cook cod, I like to use a lot of spices like garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper or even cayenne pepper for a little heat. These spices add depth to the garlic butter and enhance the flavor of the fish.
Unsalted Butter – I recommend unsalted butter for better control over the salt levels, ensuring the dish isn’t too salty.
Fresh Garlic – I always prefer to use freshly minced garlic gives a more vibrant, aromatic flavor compared to jarred minced garlic. It’s a key part of the garlic butter sauce.
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 the cod fish dry with a paper towel. Season both sides of the cod fillets with the spices.
2: Sear it on both sides in hot oil, until the fish flakes apart, flipping halfway through. If you have a fish spatula, it’s makes flipping much easier and the fish won’t break apart easily.
3: Melt the butter in the pan with garlic and lemon zest. Coat the cod fish in the garlic butter by spooning it overtop.
4: This flavorful fish is cooked when it flakes easily with a fork and turns opaque white throughout. I like to use a food thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should be 145°F (63°C).
5: Avoid letting the cod cool in the pan as the residual heat will continue to cook the cod fish. Sprinkle chopped green onions or parsley over the top and squeeze a little bit of lemon juice on top too.
Serve it with your favorite side dishes like green salad, mashed potatoes, air fryer green beans and roasted sweet potato if you prefer.
Other easy seafood recipes
For more cod fish recipes, you’ll enjoy these too: Brazilian Cod Fish Stew and Grilled Cod Fish Tacos.
You can also try different types of white fish. Check out this 3-Ingredient Tilapia Skillet Recipe or Garlic Butter Halibut.
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 Recipe – A 15-Minute Pan-Fried Recipe!
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.
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Best cod recipe I’ve ever eaten!
Happy you liked it!
oh nice…thanks for sharing this with us…i will try to make this wonderful Recipe…
You’re very welcome!
This fish recipe looks lit! Was exploring fish recipes and this is one of the best I discovered! Thanks for sharing! Will try pretty soon!
So kind! Thank you so much 😉
It was quick and easy and very flavorful. I didn’t have a lemon so I added a dash of lemon juice towards the end. I put the fillet on top of some zoodles and a bit of shredded parmesan on top instead of the green onions.
Sounds good!
I made this tonight for my family and it was delicious. I followed the recipe and wouldn’t change anything about it.
Amazing. Happy yo hear that!
This recipe was fantastic. We cook a lot of fish, and this one just made it into my top recipes both for its taste and its simplicity. The seasonings, sauce, cook time… EVERYTHING was on point and delicious!
That’s awesome. So happy to hear that 😉
If I want to cook 2 Fillets, do I use half the ingredients in this recipe
Yes please.
I made this tonight for my family and it was so flavorful! Totally hit! Thanks for the simple and delicious recipe.
You’re very welcome!!!
I made this for dinner tonight and I must say it was one of the most delicious recipes I’ve ever made!!!! My fiancé could not tell me enough how delicious it was. Thank you for a wonderful dinner
Wow that’s amazing! I’m so happy to hear that!
I have frozen cod on hand. Do you think it will work equally well with frozen?
I think it’s better you defrost the fish before cooking.
Haha, yes of course I plan to defrost first. I just wondered if it would taste equally good using frozen fish vs fresh.
I think it will have a good taste for sure.
The absolute best cod dish I’ve ever had! Simple and absolutely scrumptious!!!!
Wow your comment made my day!
This is so delicious, Olivia! Made the recipe as written. Loved the garlic sauce. Sopped up the extra sauce with toasted French bread. Yum!!!
Mm.. Yummy! Love that you used the extra sauce with toasted French bread!
It is delicious!!
Thanks!!
My son is fixing this dish up for me, for my 65th Birthday tonight. He was bringing over the Cod but wasnt sure of a recipe. I found this awesome recipe, sounds great and simple. Might add some Asparagus on the side and mixed wild rice.
Thank you. Cant wait!
You’re very welcome. Please, let me know how yours turned out 😉
Easy and yummy
Happy you liked it!
My family loved it 😍
Awesome!
Scrumptious
Thank you!
Made this tonight with my gal down in Colombia. She used white fish and me Cod from Kroger. Was excelente with green beans and sweet potato. Better than a restuarant. I waa cooking with her on whatsapp webcam. We do lots of cooking on webcam
Aww thank you. Happy you liked it!
I am going to try your receipt…..
I’m sure you’ll love it!
Best cod fish receipt
Thank you!