Description
This Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce recipe offers a quick and flavorful seafood dish featuring tender cod fillets broiled to perfection with a zesty lemon butter garlic sauce. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients for a delicious, light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 1 pound cod fillets (4 fillets)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
Instructions
- Preheat the Broiler: Turn on your oven’s broiler and get it ready to cook by heating it to high. This ensures the cod will cook quickly with a nice crust.
- Prepare the Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Season both sides evenly with salt and pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce: Place a cast iron or oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter, then add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to create a bright, aromatic sauce.
- Cook the Cod on Stovetop: Add the seasoned cod fillets to the skillet and cook for 1 minute on one side to sear and start cooking the fish. Carefully flip each fillet over using a spatula.
- Broil the Cod: Transfer the skillet to the oven, placing it 4-6 inches from the broiler element. Broil the cod for 6-9 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 130-140°F and the fish flakes easily.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Sprinkle the broiled cod with fresh minced parsley and optionally garnish with additional lemon slices. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check the cod’s internal temperature for perfectly cooked fish.
- Patting the cod dry before seasoning helps achieve a better sear and prevents steaming.
- If you don’t have a cast iron or oven-proof skillet, transfer the fillets and sauce to a broiler-safe dish before cooking.
- This recipe pairs wonderfully with steamed vegetables, rice, or a green salad.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with olive oil or a vegan butter.
