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—hope you love it too!
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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My s/o and I are using this simple delicious recipe for 2nd time. Love it with cod
Aww so sweet. Happy you liked it!
Yes, this is one of the best recipes I have used for the cod. I used cod loins, just cooked them a little longer. Served them with roasted vegetables and garlic toast!! Thank you for a delicious and easy recipe!!!
Aww thank you! Your comment made my day!
This is so delicious! I added more garlic and threw in Cherry tomatoes when I started the cod. Yummy!!!
Love that you added cherry tomatoes 😉
I added small butter garlic potatoes with it(from my garden).was delicious
Mm.. yummy!
Tried this recipe and we absolutely loved it . I was thinking about trying this same recipe but using Salmon. Would it be okay to do ?
Yes it would work with salmon too.
If I put the cod in the skillet to sear without any oil or butter, then won’t it stick to the pan?
You need to add a little bit of olive or butter like the instructions say.
First time I have made this and it was awesome!! I served this with Risotto Rice and 2 cans green beans with one cube beef bouillon, First time for all three. Very tasty.
Thank you for sharing this recipe! Do you have any other fish recipes?
Happy you liked it. yes I have! All the fish recipes are here.
Great tasting and easy to make:)
So happy you liked it! The butter sauce is really good!
Excellent!! Fish was moist and tender, will definitely make this again.
I’m so happy to hear it’s a hit, Darlene! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave this wonderful review!
Can you use rock cod?
I’ve never made this recipe with rock cod because I’m not in Australia area, but I believe you can make this recipe with rock cod. If you try it please let me know how it turned out.
This was delicious! Best of all quick and easy.
I’m so excited to hear you love the recipe!
Delicious. We didn’t have any green onion so left it out but it was still very tasty. One for my list of “recipes that WORK!”
Aww so awesome! Happy to hear that 😉
We caught a fresh Murray Cod (Australian native fish) and as I had never cooked one before, I tried your recipe and it was perfect!! Such beautiful flavours! We’ve caught another and I will be cooking this again shortly!!
Thank you so much!!
That’s awesome. Happy you liked this recipe!
For tough or rubbery cod, there’s often a brown layer on the skin side that needs trimmed off. Even if you don’t overcook it but leave this layer behind it can make the fish tough.
my family enjoyed this recipe, the spices and butter add just the right flavor. I am making it tonight it is becoming a good go to fish meal. It is quick and easy and with spices i would think most kitchens have. Thank you for the great recipe
Awesome!
Excellent and so easy!
Awesome!
I LOVE this recipe it’s is soooo yummy
Happy you enjoyed this recipe!
First time I made cod filets in a long time and this recipe was perfect. I used lime zest instead of lemon. I served it with green beans and a medley mix of rice. I will definitely make it again soon.🙌🏻
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
This fish was really good and also very easy and quick! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
You’re very welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
Delish and easy to make
Indeed!!
Thanks so much for the delicious recipes. My family enjoyed this recipe. I cooked a few times already. I’m looking forward to try your recipes in the future.
You’re very welcome!