This Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce is a simple yet elegant dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion! Tender, flaky cod fillets are seared to golden-brown perfection and then drizzled with a vibrant and flavorful herb butter sauce. I love how this recipe is both quick and easy to make, and it delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort. It’s a healthy and delicious meal that’s sure to impress!
Why You’ll Love This Seared Cod
- Quick and Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flaky and Flavorful: Searing the cod creates a beautiful golden crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky.
- Delicious Herb Butter Sauce: The combination of butter, garlic, lemon juice, and fresh herbs creates a vibrant and flavorful sauce.
- Healthy: Cod is a lean protein that’s rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Elegant: This dish looks and tastes impressive, making it perfect for a special occasion or a simple weeknight dinner.
Ingredients for Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious cod. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Cod and Seasoning
- Cod fillets (Fish)
- Olive oil (Oil)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Freshly ground black pepper (Spice)
Herb Butter Sauce
- Unsalted butter (Fat)
- Garlic clove, minced (Aromatic)
- Lemon juice (Acid)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (Herb)
- Fresh dill, chopped (Herb)
- Fresh chives, snipped (Herb)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Golden Seared Cod as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Fish: Try using other firm white fish, like halibut, sea bass, or haddock.
- Add Lemon Zest: Add some lemon zest to the herb butter sauce for extra citrusy flavor.
- Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Different Herbs: Experiment with other herbs, like thyme, oregano, or tarragon.
- Add Capers: Stir in some capers to the herb butter sauce for a briny flavor.
How to Make Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce
Let me show you how easy it is to make this Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce:
Prepare the Cod
- I pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. This helps them get a nice sear.
- I season both sides of the cod with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
Sear the Cod
- I heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it’s shimmering but not smoking.
- I carefully place the cod fillets in the skillet and cook for about 4 minutes on one side, until the underside is a crisp golden brown.
- I gently flip the cod using a spatula and cook for another 3 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- I remove the cod from the skillet and keep it warm on a plate tented with foil.
Make the Herb Butter Sauce
- In the same skillet, I reduce the heat to medium.
- I add the butter and minced garlic, cooking until the butter has melted and the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
- I remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, chopped parsley, dill, and chives.
Serve
- I spoon the herb butter sauce generously over the warm cod fillets and serve immediately.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Seared Cod
Here are my secrets for making this cod truly exceptional:
- Pat the Cod Dry: Removing excess moisture from the cod helps it sear properly and develop a nice crust.
- Use a Hot Skillet: Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the cod. This helps to create a good sear.
- Don’t Overcook: Overcooked cod is dry. Cook it until it’s just cooked through and flakes easily with a fork.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs add a bright, vibrant flavor to the sauce.
- Serve Immediately: This dish is best served immediately, while the cod is hot and the sauce is warm.
How to Serve
This Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce is delicious served with:
- Roasted Vegetables: Roasted asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or potatoes are all great choices.
- Rice or Quinoa: Serve it over rice or quinoa for a complete meal.
- Salad: A simple green salad or a more elaborate salad with fruit and nuts would complement the cod nicely.
- Crusty Bread: A slice of crusty bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious herb butter sauce.
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftover cooked cod can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or in the microwave.
FAQs about Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce
- Can I use skin-on cod fillets?
- Yes, you can use skin-on cod fillets. Cook them skin-side down first for crispy skin.
- Can I bake the cod instead of pan-frying it?
- Yes, you can.
- What if I don’t have all the fresh herbs?
- You can also use dry herbs.
Enjoy this quick, easy, and incredibly flavorful Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce! It’s a perfect meal for any night of the week.
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Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main Course, Seafood
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce is a quick, easy, and elegant dish. Flaky cod fillets are pan-seared to golden perfection and then drizzled with a bright and flavorful herb butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets, skin-on or skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1–2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, snipped
Instructions
- Prepare Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. This is important for getting a good sear. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat Skillet: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet (cast iron or non-stick recommended) over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. The oil should be hot enough that a drop of water sizzles immediately.
- Sear Cod (First Side): Carefully place the cod fillets in the hot skillet, presentation-side down (the side that was not the skin side, if using skin-on fillets). Cook for about 4 minutes, without moving the fillets, until the underside is a crisp golden brown.
- Flip and Cook (Second Side): Gently flip the cod fillets using a spatula. Cook for another 3 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C).
- Remove Cod: Remove the cooked cod fillets from the skillet and transfer them to a plate. Tent loosely with aluminum foil to keep them warm while you make the sauce.
- Make Herb Butter Sauce: Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium. Add the butter to the same skillet (do not clean it out). Once the butter is melted, add the minced garlic. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute, or until the garlic is fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
- Finish Sauce: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, chopped dill, and snipped chives.
- Serve: Spoon the herb butter sauce generously over the warm cod fillets. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Cod: You can use skin-on or skinless cod fillets. If using skin-on, sear the fillets skin-side up first. Other white fish like Haddock or Halibut can be used as well.
- Doneness: The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your cod fillets. Use a fork to check for doneness – the fish should flake easily and be opaque in the center. A meat thermometer is the most accurate way.
- Herbs: You can adjust the amounts of herbs to your preference.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this cod with roasted vegetables, rice, quinoa, or a salad.