Crispy Pan-Roasted Cod with Lemon Herb Butter

I still can’t get over how fresh the fish was at the Mouton-Duvernet market last Tuesday. The cod smelled of nothing but the sea—clean, bright, and full of promise. A very hot skillet, a pat of butter, a scattering of finely chopped shallot and chives, and a quick squeeze of fresh lemon turned that simple fillet into a meal I wanted to eat every night.

This pan-roasted cod is a great recipe for a satisfying autumn dinner. It’s light, fast, and subtly flavored so the fish remains the star. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad and a warm bowl of potato leek soup or a creamy gratin dauphinois for a heartier meal. If you’re a fish lover, this straightforward preparation pairs well with many other simple baked or roasted fish recipes.

Pan-Roasted Cod with Fresh Herbs and Lemon

By: Marissa Stevens

Prep: 5 mins

Cook: 10 mins

Total: 15 mins

Course: Main Course

Calories: 69

Servings: 2 people

GF
LC
P
W30
PES

This recipe is written for two but scales easily—simply increase ingredients proportionally for more servings.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 shallot finely chopped
• 2 6-ounce cod fillets
• 1/4 cup fresh chives finely chopped
• 1/2 lemon
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat until it foams and begins to turn fragrant. Add the finely chopped shallot and cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes translucent, about 1 minute.
• Arrange the cod fillets in a single layer in the skillet. Cook undisturbed for 3–4 minutes, then carefully flip and cook another 3–4 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily in the center. Cooking times will vary slightly depending on thickness.
• Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over the cooked fillets. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. The lemon brightens the delicate flavor of the cod without overpowering it.
• Sprinkle the chopped chives over the fish just before serving. Serve the fillets immediately so they stay tender and juicy.

Nutrition

Calories: 69 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 5 g |
Protein: 1 g |
Fat: 6 g |
Saturated Fat: 4 g |
Trans Fat: 1 g |
Cholesterol: 15 mg |
Sodium: 53 mg |
Potassium: 100 mg |
Fiber: 1 g |
Sugar: 2 g |
Vitamin A: 399 IU |
Vitamin C: 18 mg |
Calcium: 18 mg |
Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used only as an approximation.

Leave a comment and rate the recipe below!