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pan seared cod on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans

Pan Seared Cod with Lemon Butter

This Pan Seared Cod is cooked in a hot skillet, and seasoned with herbs and spices, and drizzled in a homemade lemon butter sauce. The fish is tender with a golden crust. Serve this with any of your favorite side dishes.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Course dinner, lunch
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
Calories 155 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 4 white fish fillets I used cod approximately 1 pound total
  • 2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika Regular paprika is fine.
  • salt to taste
  • 1 teaspoon cooking oil or butter

Lemon Butter Glaze

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice For me, this was the juice from 1 small lemon.
  • 1 1/2-2 teaspoons lemon zest Use 2 teaspoons for bold lemon flavor. This was 1 small lemon.

Instructions
 

  • Ensure the fish is completely dry.
  • Sprinkle both sides of the fish with lemon pepper, paprika, and salt to taste. Rub the spices into the fish.
  • Add 1 teaspoon of cooking oil or butter to a skillet on medium-high heat.
  • When hot, add the seasoned fish. Do not overcrowd the pan. The fish shouldn't touch. Cook the fish in batches if needed.
  • Cook the fish for 2-3 minutes on each side until the fish is cooked through. It will turn opaque at the center. The fish will easily flake with a fork when it has finished cooking.

Lemon Butter Glaze

  • Add the butter, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a saucepan on medium-high heat. Stir and cook until the lemon zest has dissolved.
  • Top the fish with the lemon butter glaze.

Notes

You can melt the butter for the glaze in the microwave and combine it with the lemon. I find it harder to get the lemon zest to smooth out doing it this way. 
 
Feel free to season the fish with any of your favorite seasoning and spices.
 
Cod should be cooked to an internal temperature of 135-145 degrees. Use a meat thermometer and/or check for flakiness. Gently press the thickest part of the fish using a fork. If it flakes easily, it is done. The flesh of the fish should be opaque.
 
If the fish is dry and tastes rubbery it was overcooked. Follow the tips above to avoid overcooking the fish.

Nutrition

Serving: 5ozCalories: 155kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 20gFat: 7g
Keyword cast iron cod, lemon butter cod, pan seared cod
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