Nutmeg Free Lemon Butter Cod
Bright, clean, and deeply satisfying, this pan-seared cod is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort it requires. The fillets get a gorgeous golden crust from garlic-infused oil before a quick brown butter sauce — spiked with fresh lemon juice, zest, scallions, and parsley — gets spooned right over the top. That sauce is the real star: tangy, rich, and just a little herby, with an optional pinch of red pepper flakes if you want a gentle kick. Warm spice blends and pre-made seasonings are often where unwanted ingredients sneak in, but every component here is straightforward and easy to verify at a glance. Cod is a mild, flaky fish that soaks up bold flavors beautifully, and the lemon-butter combination is a classic pairing for good reason. Serve it straight from the skillet with extra lemon wedges and you've got a restaurant-quality plate that comes together in one pan.
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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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