Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce Recipe

Introduction

Discover the perfect balance of crispy and tender with this Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce. This simple yet elegant dish highlights fresh herbs and a luscious buttery sauce that bring out the best in flaky cod fillets.

Ingredients

• 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, snipped

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor and help develop a golden crust.
2. Step 2: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Place the cod fillets in the hot oil without overcrowding the pan. Sear the fillets for about 4 minutes on the first side until golden brown and crispy.
3. Step 3: Flip the fillets gently with a spatula and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Transfer the cooked cod to a warm plate and tent loosely with foil.
4. Step 4: Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and the butter is melted, scraping up the browned bits from the pan.
5. Step 5: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the lemon juice, parsley, dill, and chives.
6. Step 6: Spoon the warm herb butter sauce generously over the cod fillets and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crispiness, make sure the cod is completely dry before seasoning and searing.
• Try substituting fresh thyme or basil if you prefer different herb flavors.
• If fresh herbs aren’t available, use 1 teaspoon dried herbs, but add them to the butter early to release their flavor.
• Serve with steamed vegetables or over a bed of rice to soak up the herb butter sauce.

Storage

Store leftover cooked cod and herb butter sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat to prevent drying out, then spoon additional fresh herb butter over before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen cod fillets for this recipe?

Yes, but thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure a crispy sear and even cooking.

What can I substitute if I don’t have fresh herbs?

You can use dried parsley, dill, and chives, but reduce the quantity to about one-third of the fresh amount and add them while melting the butter to maximize flavor.

Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce Recipe

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5 from 530 reviews

This Golden Seared Cod with Herb Butter Sauce recipe offers a flavorful and elegant seafood dish featuring perfectly seared cod fillets topped with a fragrant herb butter sauce made with fresh parsley, dill, and chives. Quick to prepare and ideal for a weeknight meal or special occasion, it highlights the delicate texture of cod paired with the richness of butter and the brightness of lemon and herbs.

• Author: Victoria
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fish

• 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Herb Butter Sauce

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh chives, snipped

Instructions

1. Prep the Fish: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor and help develop a golden crust.
2. Sear the Cod: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Place the cod fillets in the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Sear the fillets for about 4 minutes on the first side, until golden brown and crispy. Flip the fillets gently with a spatula and cook for an additional 3 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
3. Make the Sauce: Transfer the cooked cod to a warm plate and tent loosely with foil. Reduce the heat to medium and add the unsalted butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant and the butter is melted, picking up the brown bits from the pan. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice, parsley, dill, and chives.
4. Serve: Generously spoon the warm herb butter sauce over the cod fillets and serve immediately.

Notes

• Ensure the cod fillets are dry before seasoning to get a better sear and crust.
• Do not overcrowd the skillet during searing as it can cause steaming instead of crisping.
• Use fresh herbs for the best flavor in the butter sauce.
• You can substitute cod with other white fish like haddock or halibut if desired.
• Serve with steamed vegetables or rice for a complete meal.

Keywords: seared cod, cod fillets, herb butter sauce, easy seafood recipe, quick dinner, pan-seared fish, lemon butter sauce