This pan-seared cod recipe makes the best buttery, flaky fish in just one pan. Seasoned cod is cooked in a simple, flavorful butter sauce, making it the perfect protein for an easy dinner. Serve this buttered cod with rice or potatoes for a complete meal, and enjoy a healthy, delicious dinner. This easy cod recipe comes together quickly, making it perfect for a busy weeknight.

A skillet with the cooked cod.

What is Cod?

Cod is a mild, flaky white fish that cooks quickly in a pan. The fish has a very mild flavor and pairs best with a simple butter sauce. Cod is a lean protein, and when pan-seared in butter, it absorbs the flavor, making it the perfect dish. Take it to the next level by making cod in a butter-wine sauce. It’s so elegant, it tastes as if it came from a fancy restaurant. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • High protein. This lean fish packs protein, making it a perfect entree for dinner. 
  • Versatile. This fish serves beautifully in a variety of ways, making it perfect for dinner. 
  • Fan favorite. Cod is known as one of the less “fishy” fish, making it a crowd-pleaser. 

Ingredients for Pan-Seared Cod

  • Seasoning – A simple blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika enhances the fish’s flavor without overpowering it. 
  • Cod – Use fresh or thawed cod fillets. Thicker fillets work especially well because they stay tender and flaky while developing a light golden crust. 
  • Butter – Adds richness to the fish and creates a delicate sauce the fish cooks in.
  • Lemon – Freshly squeezed lemon adds brightness to the cod and perfectly seasons it. 
  • Fresh herbs – A sprinkle of fresh parsley is the perfect finishing touch. 

See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.

Expert Tips: 

  • Pat the cod dry. Pat the cod dry with paper towels before seasoning. Removing excess moisture helps the fish sear instead of steaming in the skillet.
  • Use a hot skillet. Heat the pan before adding the cod. This helps create a light golden crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky.
  • Don’t move the cod while it sears. Once you place the cod in the hot skillet, let it cook undisturbed for the first 2 minutes. Moving the fish too much will prevent it from developing a light golden crust and can cause the delicate fillet to break apart.
  • Don’t overcook. Watch the cod closely as it cooks. Overcooking can make the fish mushy and cause it to fall apart.
A pan with the cooking cod in butter sauce.

How to Make Pan-Seared Cod 

  1. Make the seasoning blend. In a small bowl, mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. 
  2. Season the cod. Pat the cod fillets dry and season all sides. 
  3. Cook the cod. Heat a pan with butter and gently add the fillets. Cook the cod for 2 minutes, until the bottom is golden brown. 
  4. Finish. Lower the heat, gently flip the cod, and top with the remaining butter. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes.
  5. Garnish. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cod and sprinkle parsley for the perfect finishing touch. 

How to Know When Cod Is Done

Cod is done when it is opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork. For the most accurate results, the internal temperature should reach 145°F. Be careful not to overcook the fish, as cod can quickly become dry and fall apart.

Serving Suggestions

Store & Reheat 

  • Storage. Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat. Reheat cod gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a little butter, or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Avoid overheating, as cod can become dry and fall apart.
  • Freeze. Allow the cod to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Seafood Recipes

If you enjoyed this cod recipe, be sure to try our other seafood recipes; here are some of our favorites:

If you tried this buttered cod recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below – we appreciate it!

Pan-Seared Cod Recipe with Butter (Video)

Author: Valentina’s Corner
Buttered Cod in Skillet. Ready in under 15 minutes and soo good!. ValentinasCorner.com
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4.97 from 147 votes
A simple pan-seared cod cooked in a rich buttery sauce. This easy fish recipe makes the perfect flaky cod fillet that will impress even the pickiest eaters. This cod recipe is quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights with a side of rice or a light salad.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ¾ tsp ground paprika
  • 1 1/2 lbs cod fillets
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter sliced
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp fresh herbs
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Make the seasoning. Combine all of the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Season the cod. Cut the cod into smaller pieces, if desired. Pat the fish dry and season all sides evenly with the seasoning mixture.
  • Sear the cod. Heat 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the butter has melted, add the cod and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Finish cooking. Reduce the heat to medium and gently flip the cod. Top with the remaining butter and cook for another 3–4 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
  • Garnish and serve. Drizzle the cod with fresh lemon juice and sprinkle it with fresh herbs.
  • Serve and enjoy, friends!

Notes

  • Pat the cod dry. Before seasoning, pat the cod dry with paper towels. This removes excess moisture and helps the fish sear nicely in the skillet.
  • Use a hot skillet. Make sure the skillet is hot before adding the cod. This helps the fish develop a light golden crust while keeping the inside tender and flaky.
  • Don’t overcook the cod. Cod cooks quickly, so keep a close eye on it while it’s cooking. Overcooking can make the fish mushy and cause it to fall apart.
  • Storage. Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat. Gently reheat the cod in a skillet over medium-low heat with a little butter, or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. Be careful not to overheat it, as the fish can become dry.
  • Freeze. Allow the cod to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

304kcal Calories3g Carbs31g Protein19g Fat11g Saturated Fat1g Polyunsaturated Fat5g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat118mg Cholesterol386mg Sodium763mg Potassium1g Fiber1g Sugar784IU Vitamin A16mg Vitamin C43mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Pan-Seared Cod Recipe with Butter (Video)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 304 Calories from Fat 171
% Daily Value*
Fat 19g29%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 118mg39%
Sodium 386mg17%
Potassium 763mg22%
Carbohydrates 3g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 31g62%
Vitamin A 784IU16%
Vitamin C 16mg19%
Calcium 43mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American