Walnut Free Lemon Butter Cod

Total time25 min

Prep time10 min

Cook time15 min

4.7

(22)

Bright, buttery, and ready in minutes, this pan-seared cod is the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more impressive than the effort required. The fillets get a gorgeous golden crust from the garlic-infused oil before a quick lemon butter sauce comes together right in the same skillet — minimal cleanup, maximum flavor. That sauce is the real star: lightly browned butter, fresh lemon juice and zest, scallion tops, and parsley combine into something tangy, rich, and just a little herbaceous. A pinch of red pepper flakes adds a gentle kick if you're into it. For anyone navigating tree nut concerns, this recipe is naturally free of walnuts and any nut-based ingredients — just clean, straightforward pantry staples doing exactly what they should. Seafood dishes can sometimes sneak in nut oils or nut-based coatings, so having a go-to recipe built entirely around butter, citrus, and fresh herbs is genuinely useful. Serve it straight from the pan with extra lemon wedges and you've got a restaurant-worthy plate on the table fast.

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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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