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Healthy Garlic Butter Cod recipe

Garlic Butter Cod proves that simple ingredients can deliver restaurant-quality flavor in under 15 minutes. Tender, flaky cod is pan-seared to perfection and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce that elevates weeknight cooking into something truly special.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 265
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cod fillets about 6 oz each
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Method
 

  1. Pat cod fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add cod and sear 3–4 minutes until golden.
  3. Flip gently and cook another 3 minutes until flaky and opaque.
  4. Remove cod; reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic, sauté 1 minute.
  5. Stir in parsley and chili flakes; cook 30 seconds.
  6. Return cod to skillet and spoon garlic butter sauce over fillets for 30 seconds.
  7. Serve immediately with extra sauce drizzled on top.

Notes

Pat fillets dry for the best sear. Avoid overcooking—cod reaches perfect doneness at 145°F. Add lemon juice at the end for extra brightness.