This Pan Fried Garlic Butter Cod is perfectly tender and flaky with a delicious, creamy garlic butter sauce. Make this flavor-packed fish dish in less than 20 minutes for an any time meal!  

overhead shot of garlic butter cod

 

Dinner just got easier with this one-skillet recipe! The cod is perfectly seasoned with Italian spices and drenched in a drinkable sauce made with butter, garlic, lemon juice, and white wine. This rich and savory main dish is light, perfectly flaky, and pairs well with a variety of sides.

One of the best parts about easy cod recipes is the no-fuss prep and clean-up. There’s no need to turn on the oven or use multiple dishes! All you need is one pan and a few simple ingredients to enjoy this decadent garlic butter cod. If you’re looking for more tasty fish recipes, try my easy fish tacos, keto parmesan pecan halibut, or Asian salmon. 

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Versatile. Enjoy this pan fried cod in a variety of ways including with sides, on top of a salad, or even with pasta. 
  • Easy Prep. This recipe takes less than 20 minutes to prepare so you can easily make it any night of the week. 
  • Cost-effective. Cod is an affordable high-protein option that you can incorporate into your weekly meals.
garlic butter cod ingredients on a white table

Ingredients

Below is an overview of the ingredients you will need to make pan fried cod recipes. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.

  • Cod: Use fresh cod filets for the best flavor. Frozen also works well just be sure to thaw them completely beforehand.  
  • Seasonings: A combination of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and salt adds a delicious full-bodied flavor. 
  • Garlic: You will need 2 garlic cloves or about 2 teaspoons of minced garlic. For easy prep, use pre-minced garlic from the grocery store. 
  • Oil: Either olive oil or avocado oil is best for pan frying and adds extra rich flavor. 
  • White Wine: I recommend using a dry white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. 
  • Butter: Adds a luscious taste and texture. Use unsalted butter to avoid over-salting the fish. 
  • Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.

How to Cook Pan Fried Cod

Below are photos and recipe steps so you can easily make simple cod recipes at home. You will also need a large skillet.

Season

garlic butter cod seasoning in a white bowl
Four raw seasoned cod filets on wooden cutting board

Pat the cod dry with a paper towel and set aside. Combine the dry seasonings in a small bowl. Sprinkle both sides of the cod filets well with the seasoning. 

Sear

cod being seared in a slo;;et
close up of cod being seared in a skillet

Heat a large skillet on the stovetop over medium heat. Add the olive oil and tilt the skillet so the oil fully covers the bottom of the pan. Add the seasoned cod to the skillet and allow it to cook for about 3 minutes until the bottom side is golden brown. Carefully flip the cod to brown the other side.

Add the Sauce

wet ingredients being added to skillet for garlic butter cod
sauce being spooned over cod filets in black skillet

While the fish filets cook on the second side, add the butter, lemon juice, and dry white wine to the pan. As the butter melts and the wine reduces, spoon the mixture over the fish. Cook on this side until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F, for about 3 minutes. 

Add the Garlic and Serve

close up of pan fried garlic butter cod filet in skillet

Remove the pan from heat and plate the cod, leaving the sauce in the pan. If the sauce has not reduced and thickened allow it to cook another minute. Add the minced garlic to the pan and stir well. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the fish. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge. 

Serve

Enjoy pan cooked cod as a main dish with sides or even on top of a simple pasta or steamed zucchini noodles. Below are some of our favorite dishes to serve with this fish. 

bite of cod being cut from cod filet on white plate

Tips and Tricks

  • Dry the fish well before seasoning it. This will help prevent the cod from sticking to the pan when you cook it. 
  • Make sure the skillet and oil are hot before you add the cod filets to sear them to perfection. 
  • Spoon on extra sauce from the pan before serving sauteed cod for an extra flavorful and rich finish. 

Garlic Butter Cod FAQ

Do you need to remove the fish skin before cooking?

There’s no need to remove the skin in fresh cod recipes! Leaving the skin intact can help lock in moisture and flavor and makes flipping the fish in the pan easier. I recommend cooking the filets skin side up to start. Fish skin is also rich in vitamins and minerals like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E for skin and heart health, and safe to consume when fresh. 

How do you keep cod from drying out?

To make the perfect garlic butter cod it is essential not to overcook it. Sauté the fish until just cooked through and it flakes easily with a fork, for about 3 minutes on each side. A meat thermometer is super handy here so you can make sure it cooks to the right internal temperature. 

Can you cook cod in the oven?

You can use this recipe to make cod in the oven instead. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Prepare the cod filets according to the recipe. Separately, combine the garlic sauce ingredients in a skillet until the butter melts. Place the seasoned cod filets in a casserole dish and pour the sauce on top. Bake the cod for 15-20 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.    

close up of pan fried cod filet on white plate with lemon wedge

More Main Dish Recipes

close up of garlic butter cod in skillet

Get the Recipe: Pan Fried Garlic Butter Cod

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Yield: 4
Author: Annie
This Pan Fried Garlic Butter Cod is perfectly tender and flaky with a delicious creamy garlic butter sauce. Make this flavor-packed fish dish in less than 20 minutes for an any time meal!
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Ingredients
 

  • 4 cod fillets, 3-4 ounces each
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • Fresh Parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Pat the cod dry with a paper towel and set aside.
  • Combine the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Sprinkle each side of the cod well.
  • Heat a large skillet to medium heat. Add the olive oil and tilt the skillet so the oil fully covers the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the seasoned cod to the skillet and allow it to cook for about 3 minutes until the bottom side is golden brown. Carefully flip the cod to brown the other side.
  • While the fish is cooking, add the butter, lemon juice, and dry white wine to the pan. As the butter melts and the wine reduces, spoon the mixture over the fish. Cook the fish 3 minutes on this side or until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees F.
  • Remove the pan from heat, then plate the cod, leaving the sauce in the pan. If the sauce has not reduced and thickened allow it to cook one more minute.
  • Add the garlic to the pan and stir well. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the fish and serve immediately. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

 
Net carbs are 1.6 g per filet
Serving: 1 filet, Calories: 121kcal, Carbohydrates: 2g, Protein: 20g, Fat: 9.4g, Cholesterol: 28.3mg, Sodium: 180.3mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 0.2g
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