Sesame Free Lemon Butter Cod
Flaky, golden-seared cod bathed in a bright, nutty lemon butter sauce is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort it takes. The fillets get a proper sear in garlic-infused oil until they release naturally from the pan, then a quick brown butter sauce built right in the same skillet ties everything together with lemon juice, zest, scallions, and fresh parsley. For anyone navigating sesame allergies or sensitivities, this recipe is a genuinely stress-free option — every ingredient is clean and straightforward, with no tahini, sesame oil, or hidden seed-based additions anywhere in the dish. That can be harder to guarantee with restaurant fish dishes or store-bought sauces, which often sneak in sesame-based flavor boosters. Here, you control exactly what goes into the pan. The optional pinch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle kick that plays beautifully against the richness of the butter, but the sauce is delicious either way. Serve it straight from the skillet with extra lemon wedges and you've got a restaurant-quality plate that's completely your own.
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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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