Pan-Seared Cod with Crispy Garlic & Lemon Butter
Ingredients
- 4cod fillets (6 ounces each, skin-on or skinless)
- 2 tablespoonolive oil
- 4 clovegarlic
- 1lemon
- 3 tablespoonbutter
- ¼ teaspoonsalt
- ¼ teaspoonblack pepper
- 4 sprigfresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
Prep
- 01
Slice 4 cloves garlic thinly.
- 02
Cut 1 lemon into halves or quarters for easy squeezing.
Method
- 01
Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- 02
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
- 03
Carefully lay the cod skin-side down (or whichever side you're starting with) and cook undisturbed for 4 minutes, until the bottom is golden and crispy. Flip gently and cook the other side for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- 04
Transfer the cod to a plate. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the pan.
- 05
When the butter foams, add the sliced garlic and thyme sprigs. Cook, stirring gently, for 1 to 2 minutes until the garlic turns golden and fragrant.
- 06
Squeeze the lemon juice into the pan, stir to combine, then pour the garlic butter sauce over the cod. Serve immediately with crusty bread or over rice.
If your skillet isn't large enough for all four fillets, cook them in two batches to avoid crowding the pan; keep the first batch warm on a plate while you finish the second.