This cod recipe combines fresh fish fillets with a flavourful garlic butter sauce. Make this easy cod fish recipe for a quick one-pan dinner! This is one of my favourite cod recipes and Iām sure youāll love it too.
If youāre looking for more cod fish recipes, you will love these recipes too: Brazilian Cod Fish Stew and these Grilled Cod Fish Tacos. You can also try different type of white fish like this 3-Ingredient Tilapia Skillet Recipe and Garlic Butter Halibut Fish Recipe and this Baked Salmon Recipe that is not white fish, but itās so yummy too.
When my day is busy or stressful, making a meal with lots of steps can be overwhelming for me and I bet for you too. I totally believe that simple recipes make it easy to have a healthy, balanced meal made from fresh ingredients so you donāt end up turning to take out on a nightly basis.
During my busy week, I love cooking with fish like salmon, tuna, swordfish or cod because they have no time at all to be cooked like this cod recipe that is ready in less than 20 mins.
They are also great if youāre following a healthy diet because they do hold many nutrients, vitamins, minerals, omega-3s and other health benefits. But itās good to know that cod fish and other lean fish are lower in omega-3 fatty acids than fatty fish like salmon.
I always make this flavorful cod recipe with a few ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Even better, both the cod fish and the sauce are cooked in the same pan, meaning there are fewer dishes to wash later!
How to Cook Cod
I always made this cod recipe, because it couldnāt be simpler, but yet itās a very tender and flavorful cod recipe! Just cook the cod fish in a pan on the stove, then baste with garlic butter sauce.
Ingredients to make cod fish
- Cod fish ā This is an affordable white fish that takes on the flavors itās cooked with. Haddock, Pollack, or Mahi Mahi would make great substitutes. Feel free to use fresh or frozen versions of cod. Just be sure that it is fully thawed before you use it.
- Olive oil ā Or use another neutral cooking oil with a high smoke point like vegetable, avocado, or safflower oil.
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, black pepper. Optional: some cayenne pepper
- Unsalted butter ā I suggest using unsalted butter as itās easier to control the salt levels as salted butters all vary in the amount of salt in them.
- Garlic ā I prefer freshly minced garlic over jarred minced garlic.
- Lemon zest ā lemon zest adds a nice bright flavour to your cod fish. Or you can also squeeze a little bit of fresh lemon juice.
- Green onions or fresh parsley, for garnish.
Instructions to Make Cod Recipe
Season the cod fish
- Pat the cod fish dry with a paper towel so the seasonings adhere better to the surface. It will also help the cod fish crisp on the outside when seared. If the cod fish is wet, the seasoning will have trouble sticking and the cod fish will steam in the pan instead of crisp up.
- Season both sides of the cod fillets with the spices. It may help to mix them together in a small bowl so you can evenly distribute the seasoning overtop the cod fish.
- Next, sear the cod fish on both sides in hot oil. Continue cooking until the fish flakes apart, flipping again halfway through. If you have a fish spatula, itās makes flipping much easier. Melt the butter in the pan with garlic and lemon zest. Coat the cod fish in the garlic butter by spooning it overtop.
- Remove the pan from heat and transfer the cod fish to a serving dish. Avoid letting the cod cool in the pan as the residual heat will continue to cook the cod fish. Then, sprinkle chopped green onions over the top and serve this cod recipe with your favorite sides.
Expert Tips
- Storage ā I like to keep this cod recipe leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheating ā I recommend to heat in the microwave or on the stove until the cod fish is warmed through. You may need to add a splash of water or more butter for added moisture.
- Meal prep ā When I make this cod recipe, I make enough for a weekās worth of lunches. Simply add one fillet to each meal prep container along with your side of choice.
- Freezer ā You can freeze this cod recipe once itās reached room temperature. I like to transfer the cod into an airtight freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to a month. Due to how delicate the cod fish can be, a container is best to keep it from getting squished while itās freezing. If you have the space, let the cod freeze in a bag while laying flat before moving it around to prevent it from breaking.
- Special toolsā While itās possible to make this cod recipe with a regular spatula, itās well worth it to invest in a quality fish spatula. Itās designed to cradle delicate fillets and easily flip them without them breaking apart.
Cod Fillets vesus Cod Loins:
Cod fillets are vertical cuts from the body (from the backbone down to the belly). Cod loins are thick fillets cut from larger fish. If you replace cod fillets for cod loins in this recipe, please adjust the cooking time if your fillet is large.
What to serve with this cod Recipe
Because this cod recipe has such simple, classic flavours, itās easy to pair with any of your favourite sides. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Tossed green salad makes a delicious addition to this cod recipe.
- Mashed sweet potatoes, regular mashed potatoes or Roasted Butternut Squash Mash ā This side dish is ready in 30 minutes, with almost no hands-on time.
- Roasted Cauliflower ā We love this recipe. Cauliflower is so crispy and flavourful. This cod recipe also goes well with Roasted Sweet Potato.
- Sauteed zucchini, roasted asparagus or green beans are also great with this cod recipe.
Other easy seafood recipes
For something a little different, make my recipe for Easy Grilled Fish Tacos. Itās another great way to add lots of flavor to cod fillets. Or try one of these other recipes for dinner:
- Simple Garlic Butter Salmon Recipe
- How to Cook Salmon in the Oven
- Easy Chopped Salmon Salad
- Easy Broiled Salmon Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, the main varieties of cod are Pacific cod and Atlantic cod but both are firm, mild and flaky. Cod is a popular fish that has lean protein (unlike Salmon, which is a very fatty fish) and itāsĀ a sweeter white fish, meaning it doesnāt have a prominent fishy taste to it. It takes on seasoning really well so since this is cooked with garlic butter, this cod recipe will taste of garlic butter.
A good cod recipe should be flakey and moist. If your cod is tough or rubbery, that means youāve overcooked it. Unfortunately, there isnāt much you can do to fix it but you could always repurpose the cooked cod into a stir fry or salad.
The easiest way that I do to check for doneness is to insert a fork into the thickest part of the fish. Gently twist the fork at an angle; if it is cooked properly, this cod recipe should flake apart easily. Also, it will look opaque rather than shimmery and translucent once itās cooked through. To be sure, check the internal temperature. It should be between 140 and 145 degrees F.
If you have frozen cod fish, you can thaw them overnight in the fridge like I always do. If youāve forgotten to thaw them, you can place them (in a bag if needed) in a large bowl of cold water. Switch out the water whenever it gets to room temperature. It should take around 20-30 minutes for the cod fish to thaw, just like shrimp. If youāre in the mood for shrimp instead, try my Garlic Butter Shrimp Skillet Recipe, Shrimp and Sausage Vegetable Skillet, or and of these 35 Healthy Shrimp Dinner Recipes.
A touch of lemon zest really makes this cod recipe taste fresh and bright. I think itās a little touch that really makes a difference!
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Garlic Butter Cod Recipe
Video
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 garnish
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
Instructions
- In aĀ large skilletĀ 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.Ā Garnish with green onions.
Tips
- Click HERE to watch the web story.Ā
- If you use cod loins instead of fillets, youāll have to adjust the cooking time as theyāre larger.
- If using frozen cod, make sure itās completely thawed before cooking with it.
- The cod is ready when the internal temperature reaches between 140 and 145 degrees F.
- To store: Store leftover cod in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- To reheat: You can reheat garlic butter cod on the stovetop or microwave.Ā
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Watch the Cod Fish Web Story HERE.
Cindy says
The absolute best cod dish Iāve ever had! Simple and absolutely scrumptious!!!!
Olivia says
Wow your comment made my day!
Diana says
This is so delicious, Olivia! Made the recipe as written. Loved the garlic sauce. Sopped up the extra sauce with toasted French bread. Yum!!!
Olivia says
Mm.. Yummy! Love that you used the extra sauce with toasted French bread!
Cathy Sinkeus says
It is delicious!!
Olivia says
Thanks!!
Louise says
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!
Olivia says
You’re very welcome. Please, let me know how yours turned out š
D says
Easy and yummy
Olivia says
Happy you liked it!
Yvette says
My family loved it š
Olivia says
Awesome!
Valeria says
Scrumptious
Olivia says
Thank you!
Wade says
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
Olivia says
Aww thank you. Happy you liked it!
Gary Toder says
I am going to try your receipt…..
Olivia says
I’m sure you’ll love it!
Barbara says
Best cod fish receipt
Olivia says
Thank you!