Pan-Seared Lemon Garlic Butter Cod is a quick, flavorful seafood dinner featuring tender, flaky cod fillets coated in a rich lemon-garlic butter sauce. Ready in about 20 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights yet elegant enough for a special dinner. Fresh lemon, garlic, parsley, and butter create a bright, savory sauce that complements the mild cod beautifully.

4 cod fillets, about 5–6 oz each

2 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lemon, juiced

½ teaspoon lemon zest

½ teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon dried oregano

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Lemon wedges, for serving

Prepare the Cod: Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides with paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper.

Sear: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cod and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Transfer to a plate.

Make the Sauce: Reduce the heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

Add Lemon: Stir in lemon juice and zest. Let the sauce gently simmer for 1 minute, scraping up any flavorful browned bits from the pan.

Finish: Return the cod to the skillet and spoon the garlic butter sauce over the fillets. Cook for another 1–2 minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley.

Serve: Serve immediately with lemon wedges, roasted vegetables, rice, potatoes, or a fresh green salad.