Description
This Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce features tender, flaky cod fillets beautifully seared until golden brown, then topped with a vibrant, aromatic herb butter. It feels elegant yet effortless—perfect for a dinner that impresses without stress.
Ingredients
- 2–4 cod fillets (150–200 g / 5–7 oz each)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil or a mix of olive oil and butter (for searing)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (for herb sauce)
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- 2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley, dill, chives, or tarragon), finely chopped
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh thyme
Instructions
- Pat cod fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. Let sit while you prepare the herb butter.
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, minced garlic, chopped herbs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and optional red pepper flakes. Mix well and set aside.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil (or oil and butter) until shimmering.
- Place cod fillets skin-side down if applicable, and cook undisturbed for about 4 minutes to develop a golden crust.
- Flip fillets and cook another 2–3 minutes, until the cod flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 60 °C (140 °F).
- Reduce heat to low and spoon herb butter over each fillet. Let it melt and baste the fish for 1 minute.
- Transfer to plates, spoon any extra herb butter from the pan on top, and garnish with fresh herbs and a lemon wedge.
Notes
- Ensure cod is well dried before searing for the best crust.
- Use any mix of herbs you enjoy—parsley and dill are especially good with cod.
- Prepare herb butter in advance and store chilled for quick dinners.
- Be cautious not to overcook cod—it’s done when opaque and flaky.
- Pair with light sides to balance the richness of the butter sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 260mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
