Caffeine Free Lemon Butter Cod
Bright, buttery, and full of fresh flavor, this skillet cod is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort required. The fillets get a gorgeous golden sear in garlic-infused oil before being finished with a quick pan sauce built from browned butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, scallions, and parsley — layers of flavor that come together in minutes. For anyone keeping caffeine out of their diet, fish dishes like this are a natural fit, since every ingredient here is completely free of coffee, tea, chocolate, or any hidden stimulants. The technique of browning the butter in the same pan after the fish comes out means you're capturing all those savory drippings and turning them into something silky and restaurant-worthy. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle kick if you want it, and a squeeze of lemon at the table keeps everything tasting fresh and vibrant. Serve it straight from the skillet and spoon every last drop of that sauce over the top — you won't want to waste a bit of it.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz each), about 1 inch thick
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp garlic-infused oil
For the sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp scallion green tops, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For serving
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Pat the cod fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels, then season both sides evenly with the salt and black pepper.
- 2
Heat the garlic-infused oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the cod fillets presentation-side down and cook, undisturbed, for 3–4 minutes, until the underside is golden and the fish releases easily from the pan.
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