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 I’m sure you’ll love it too.
If you’re 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 it’s 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 don’t end up turning to take out on a nightly basis.
During my busy week, I love to pan fry salmon, tuna, swordfish or cod for a quick and delicious meal.
These kinds of fish are also great if you’re following a healthy diet because they do hold many nutrients, vitamins, minerals, omega-3s and other health benefits. But it’s good to know that cod fish and other lean fish are lower in omega-3 fatty acids than fatty fish like salmon.
Recipe Ingredients
I always made this cod recipe, because it couldn’t be simpler, but yet it’s a very tender and flavorful cod recipe! Just cook the cod fish in a pan on the stove, then baste with garlic butter sauce.
Cod fish – This is an affordable white fish that takes on the flavors it’s 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 – 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 – I suggest using unsalted butter as it’s easier to control the salt levels as salted butters all vary in the amount of salt in them.
Garlic – I prefer freshly minced garlic over jarred minced garlic.
Lemon zest – 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.
How To Make Cod
Season the cod fish
Pat the cod fish dry with a paper towel. 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, it’s 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.
How To Store Leftovers
Storage – I like to keep this cod recipe leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating – 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.
Freezer – You can freeze this cod recipe once it’s 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 it’s 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.
Olivia’s Recipe Tips
Meal prep – When I make this pan seared cod recipe, I make enough for a week’s worth of lunches. Simply add one fillet to each meal prep container along with your side of choice.
Special tools– While it’s possible to make this cod recipe with a regular spatula, it’s well worth it to invest in a quality fish spatula. It’s designed to cradle delicate fillets and easily flip them without them breaking apart.
To bake cod – Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the seasoned cod fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, the main varieties of cod are Pacific cod and Atlantic cod gadus morhuabut both are firm, mild and flaky. Cod is a lean protein and it’s a sweeter white fish, meaning it doesn’t have a prominent fishy taste to it.
A good cod recipe should be flakey and moist. If your cod is tough or rubbery, that means you’ve overcooked it. Unfortunately, there isn’t 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. If it is cooked properly, this cod recipe should flake apart easily. Also, it will look opaque rather than shimmery and translucent once it’s 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 you’ve 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.
A touch of lemon zest really makes this cod recipe taste fresh and bright. I think it’s a little touch that really makes a difference!
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, it’s 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 – This side dish is ready in 30 minutes, with almost no hands-on time.
Roasted Cauliflower – We love this recipe. Cauliflower is so crispy and flavourful. This cod recipe also goes well with Roasted Sweet Potato.
Sauteed zucchini, roasted asparagus, caprese salad 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. It’s 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
Cod Recipe
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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 garnishing
Equipment
- Cast iron skillet
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.
Tips
- Click HERE to watch the web story.
- If you use cod loins instead of fillets, you’ll have to adjust the cooking time as they’re larger.
- If using frozen cod, make sure it’s 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.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
Similar Recipes:
Watch the Cod Fish Web Story HERE.
Safiya says
This was delicious! Best of all quick and easy.
Olivia says
I’m so excited to hear you love the recipe!
Jo says
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!”
Olivia says
Aww so awesome! Happy to hear that 😉
Ange says
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!!
Olivia says
That’s awesome. Happy you liked this recipe!
JD says
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.
allie says
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
Olivia says
Awesome!
Shirley says
Excellent and so easy!
Olivia says
Awesome!
Nicole says
I LOVE this recipe it’s is soooo yummy
Olivia says
Happy you enjoyed this recipe!
Sista Sue says
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.🙌🏻
Olivia says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Jo Ann MacMillan says
This fish was really good and also very easy and quick! Thank you so much for sharing this with us!
Olivia says
You’re very welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
Diana says
Delish and easy to make
Olivia says
Indeed!!
Stephanie says
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.
Olivia says
You’re very welcome!