If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful seafood dish, this Garlic Butter Cod Recipe is a must-try! Light, buttery, and packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors, it comes together in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes.
Cook Time: 10 minutes
How Many Servings?
4-6 servings
This Garlic Butter Cod Recipe is light, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make! As someone who loves incorporating Mediterranean diet meals into my routine, I always try to enjoy fresh seafood at least once or twice a week. And when I find wild-caught cod at the market, this dish is my go-to!
With just a handful of ingredients—lemon, olive oil, garlic, and capers—this recipe brings out the best in fresh cod. Best of all? It’s a one-pan meal that comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Why You’ll Love This Garlic Butter Cod Recipe
- Quick & Easy – Ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- One-Pan Wonder – Minimal cleanup with everything cooked in a single skillet.
- Light & Healthy – A Mediterranean diet-friendly meal packed with protein and healthy fats.’
- Flavorful & Fresh – The combination of garlic, butter, lemon, and capers enhances the delicate taste of cod.
- Versatile – Serve it with roasted veggies, quinoa, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- Cod Fish – Fresh is best, but frozen works too! Just defrost and pat dry before cooking.
- Olive Oil – Adds richness and helps achieve a perfect sear.
- Lemon & Lemon Zest – Brightens the dish with a fresh citrus flavor.
- White Wine – Enhances the sauce with depth and subtle acidity.
- Butter – Creates a silky, flavorful garlic butter sauce.
- Capers – Adds a briny, tangy contrast to the richness.
- Flour – Lightly coats the cod for a delicate crust.
- Spices (Paprika, Cumin, Salt & Pepper) – A simple blend that enhances the fish’s natural flavor.
How to Thaw Frozen Fish?
The best way to thaw frozen cod is to place it in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re short on time, you can use the quick thaw method:
- Place the fish (sealed in a plastic bag) in a bowl of cold water.
- Change the water every 30 minutes until fully thawed.
- Pat the fish dry before cooking to ensure a perfect sear.
How to Bake Cod and What Temperature Is Best?
Although this Garlic Butter Cod Recipe is cooked on the stovetop, you can easily bake it instead. Follow these steps for the best results. Pro Tip: For a slightly crispy top, broil for the last 2 minutes!
- Marinate & Coat – Season the cod with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices. Lightly coat with flour for a delicate crust.
- Preheat Oven – Set your oven to 400°F.
- Bake the Cod – Place the fish in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Make the Sauce Separately – While the cod bakes, prepare the garlic butter sauce with lemon, capers, and white wine on the stovetop.
- Finish & Serve – Once the cod is done, pour the warm garlic butter sauce over the top and serve immediately.
What to Serve with This Cod Recipe?
This Garlic Butter Cod Recipe is light, flavorful, and versatile, making it easy to pair with different sides! Whether you’re craving something hearty or fresh, here are some delicious ideas:
- Roasted Vegetables – You can never go wrong with roasted asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or even hasselback potatoes for a crispy, golden side. If you love something creamy, mashed potatoes make a great pairing, soaking up all that garlicky butter sauce!
- Grains & Pilafs – Want something heartier? Try Tunisian couscous, a bulgur pilaf, or a warm farro salad for a nutty, chewy texture that complements the delicate fish.
- Fresh & Crunchy Salads – Balance the richness of the cod with a Spanish lentil salad, a tangy fattoush salad, or a classic Greek salad loaded with feta and olives.
- Bread for Dipping – A slice of crusty bread or warm pita is perfect for soaking up that buttery lemon-caper sauce!
How to Store & Reheat Cod
Got leftovers? I doubt it! But if you do, here’s how to keep them fresh:
Store:
- In the fridge for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
- Freeze for up to 2 months—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat Without Drying Out:
- Stovetop (Best): Warm in a pan with a little butter or olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side.
- Oven: Cover with foil and bake at 300°F (150°C) for 8-10 minutes.
- Microwave (Last Resort): Use low power (50%), heating in 30-second bursts with a little butter or broth.
Other Fish Recipes to Try
If you loved this Garlic Butter Cod Recipe, here are a few more delicious fish dishes to add to your meal rotation:
Mediterranean Baked Halibut Recipe – A light and flavorful dish packed with Mediterranean spices.
Garlic Butter Salmon Skillet with Lemon and Capers – A one-pan wonder bursting with fresh citrus and briny capers.
Herb Panko-Crusted Wild Halibut – Crispy, golden, and full of herbaceous flavor!
Which one will you try next? Let me know in the comments!If you’re looking for a quick, flavorful seafood dish, this Garlic Butter Cod Recipe is a must-try! Light, buttery, and packed with fresh Mediterranean flavors, it comes together in just 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights.
Preparation
Prep Your Ingredients & Marinate the Cod
In a bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, white wine, salt, and pepper. Add the cod fillets and let them marinate for 15 minutes. Set aside the marinade to use later as a lemon sauce.
Coat the Cod in Seasoned Flour
Remove the fish from the marinade and dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Pan-Sear the Cod
Make the Lemon Caper Butter Sauce
Finish the Dish – Return the seared cod to the pan, spooning the sauce over the fillets. Cook for another 6 minutes until the fish is fully cooked.
Garnish & Serve
This Garlic Butter Cod Recipe is a simple, one-pan meal packed with Mediterranean flavors. Tender, flaky cod is cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with lemon and capers—ready in just 30 minutes! Perfect for a quick and healthy dinner.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 15 minutes.
Cook Time: 10 minutes
How Many Servings?
4-6 servings
Ingredients:
| 6 cod fillets | |
| 4 tablesoons olive oil | |
| 2 ( 1 lemon juice and zest) (1 lemon sliced for serving) | |
| 1/2 cup white wine | |
| salt and pepper to taste | |
| 1 teaspoon dry dill |
For the Coating:
| 1 cup flour | |
| 1 teaspoon paprika | |
| 1 teaspoon cumin | |
| 2 tablespoon lemon zest | |
| salt and pepper to taste |
For Cooking:
| 4 tablespoons unsalted butter | |
| 2 tablespoons olive oil | |
| 4 cloves garlic minced | |
| 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes | |
| 2 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley |
Preparation
First, have all your ingredients measured and ready for easy cooking. In a bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, white wine, salt, and pepper. Add the cod fillets and let them marinate for 15 minutes. Set aside the marinade to use later as a lemon sauce.
Mix flour, paprika, cumin, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish. Remove the fish from the marinade and dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the cod for 3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
In the same pan, melt butter, then add garlic and capers, sautéing for 1 minute. Pour in the reserved marinade and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced. Finish the Dish – Return the seared cod to the pan, spooning the sauce over the fillets. Cook for another 6 minutes until the fish is fully cooked.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with extra lemon slices.
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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If you try this recipe, let me know in the comments! Don’t forget to rate it and share it with friends who love easy seafood dishes. Enjoy!