Broiled Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce is a quick and easy, family friendly recipe. It takes just 5 ingredients and less than 20 minutes to put this delicious meal on the table. This recipe is also perfect for those following low carb, keto, or gluten free diets, as well.
This post contains affiliate links. See our Disclosure Statement for more information. The cod in this recipe was sent to me complimentary.
Salmon and shrimp are usually my go-to seafood choices when making dinner, but cod is quickly becoming my new favorite fish to cook with. It’s just so tender, flaky, and flavorful.
I received a ton of cod fillets from Sitka Salmon Shares in April and May, so I pretty much had to figure out the best cod recipes to use it in. In addition to this Broiled Cod, I’ve also developed recipes for Potato Crusted Cod, Cod Piccata and Fried Cod – all of which are so delicious!
In case you’re not aware, Sitka Salmon Shares is kind of like a CSA for seafood. You pay a monthly rate and they send you fresh, wild caught, Alaskan seafood. They are a fisherman-first business. You can learn more about them and see what shares are available on their website. Save $25 on any share except for the Taste of Fall Share with code DLB.
Full disclosure: Sitka sent me the April and May boxes complimentary, but we are planning to buy the remaining 7 shares because of how delicious the seafood has been and because of their amazing business practices. I’m really looking forward to all of the salmon coming soon and the sashimi-grade tuna, spot prawns, and dungeness crab later in the year.
The first recipe that I decided to make is a spin on a cod dish that I had in a restaurant recently in Florida that was so good. It was a simple baked or broiled cod with lemon and butter, so I knew it would be easy to recreate – especially since it’s very similar in flavor to the Garlic Butter Chicken and Garlic Butter Steak Bites that I posted recently.
Why This Recipe Works
This is an easy, quick, healthy recipe to make. From start to finish, it takes less than 20 minutes.
It doesn’t take a lot of ingredients. It’s simply cod fillets seasoned with butter, garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs. It’s the best broiled cod recipe I’ve had yet!
Cod is a mild fish that even kids will enjoy. This is definitely a family-friendly recipe. It’s also great for those following a low carb, keto, and/or gluten free diet.
How To Make Broiled Cod with Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
What You Need To Make This Recipe
To make this recipe, you will need:
- 1 pound of cod (4 fillets)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
Chef’s Tip: try to choose cod fillets that are approximately the same thickness so that they all cook more evenly.
You will also need a cast iron or oven-proof skillet. You don’t want your pan to be any larger than 10-12 inches. If you don’t have either of those, see the notes section in the recipe card at the bottom of this post for instructions on how to make this recipe in a baking dish instead.
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
If your cod is frozen, you will need to make sure it’s fully thawed before you begin.
Preheat the broiler on your oven.
Zest and juice half of a lemon and mince the garlic and parsley.
Create!
Pat the cod with a paper towel, then season both sides with the salt and pepper.
Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a cast iron or oven-proof skillet that is no bigger than 12 inches. This is important because if the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce is spread too thin, the garlic may burn and become bitter.
Chef’s Tip: see the notes section of the recipe card at the bottom of this post for instructions on how to make this recipe in a baking dish if you don’t have an oven-proof skillet.
Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds, then stir in the lemon juice and zest.
Place the cod fillets in the pan and cook for 1 minute, then carefully turn them over.
Place the skillet in the oven about 4-6 inches from the broiler. Broil for 6-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, or until the internal temperature of the cod reaches 130-140°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion of a fillet.
You can also tell when cod is done when it is opaque and flaky, but I find it harder to tell when it’s opaque with this particular type of fish.
Present!
Garnish with the parsley and extra lemon slices, if desired.
Serve immediately.
Tips and Techniques
- Choose cod fillets that are approximately the same size and thickness to ensure even cooking.
- If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet, you can place the cod fillets in a baking dish. Prepare the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce as instructed in the recipe card, then pour the sauce over the fillets before broiling.
- Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
FAQ’s
What Do You Serve With Cod?
Because cod is so mild, you can pair it with almost any vegetable or starchy side dishes that compliments the flavors you’ve added to it.
Some side dishes that would pair great with this cod recipe are:
- Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, or cauliflower.
- Starches such as roasted or baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, or rice.
- Salad.
More Seafood Recipes To Try
Here are more seafood recipes that you might like:
- Low Carb Garlic Parmesan Shrimp over Spaghetti Squash
- Creamy Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta
- Lemon Garlic Shrimp Cakes
- Lemon Garlic Salmon Cakes
- Sheet Pan Teriyaki Salmon
- Sheet Pan Salmon Fajitas
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Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod fillets (4 fillets)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler on the oven. Pat the cod with a paper towel, then season both sides with the salt and pepper.
- Melt the butter over medium-high heat in a cast iron or oven-proof skillet that is no bigger than 12 inches. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds, then stir in the lemon juice and zest.
- Place the cod fillets in the pan and cook for 1 minute, then carefully turn them over.
- Place the skillet in the oven about 4-6 inches from the broiler. Broil for 6-9 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets, or until the internal temperature of the cod reaches 130-140°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion of a fillet.
- Garnish with the parsley and extra lemon slices, if desired, and serve.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Choose cod fillets that are approximately the same size and thickness to ensure even cooking.
- If you don’t have an oven-proof skillet, you can place the cod fillets in a baking dish. Prepare the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce as instructed in the recipe card, then pour the sauce over the fillets before broiling.
- Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Use within 3-4 days.
