Classic Lemon Garlic Butter Cod with Crispy Skin
Indulge in a classic cod dish featuring perfectly seared, crispy-skinned cod fillets bathed in a vibrant lemon-garlic butter sauce, finished with fresh herbs and lemon zest for an unforgettable meal.
Equipment
- Paper Towels
- Large Oven-Safe Skillet (Cast Iron or Stainless Steel)
- Spatula
- Foil
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Cod Fillets preferably skin-on
- 4 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Lemons zest and juice
- 4-5 Garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley chopped, or dill
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
- Place cod skin-side down in the hot pan, pressing gently for 30 seconds to ensure full contact; cook for 4-6 minutes until the skin is golden and crispy.
- Flip the cod; if thin, finish cooking for 2-4 minutes on the flesh side, or transfer the skillet to a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 5-8 minutes for thicker fillets.
- Remove cooked fish and tent with foil; reduce heat to medium-low, add butter to the skillet, melt, then add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant before squeezing in lemon juice.
- Return cod to the pan or spoon sauce over, then garnish with fresh parsley and lemon zest; serve immediately with your preferred sides.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic. Ensure your skillet is very hot before adding the fish for the crispiest skin. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary.