If you're looking for a delicious and easy weeknight meal, skillet cod with cilantro lime butter is a great option. This easy recipe is one of my favorite ways to make cod fish in just minutes and it is packed with flavor and fresh ingredients.
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❤️ Why you'll love it
Simple recipe: All you need to do is pan-fry the cod, and make the cilantro lime butter while it's cooking. It's a quick and easy meal that comes together in no time.
Low carb: this pan-seared cod fish is my go-to recipe for a naturally low carb meal. It's a great way to feed the whole family a healthy meal with 41 grams of protein and just 1 net carb!
Packed with flavor: the cilantro lime butter is made with fresh herbs, zesty lime juice, and spices, giving the cod a bright and delicious flavor.
🥘 Ingredients
Fresh Cod Fillets: look for a piece of fish that is firm, and has a pleasant odor.
Fresh limes: juice is for garnish and zest will be used to flavor butter.
Unsalted Butter
Fresh cilantro
Paprika
Ground cumin
Garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper (optional)
Cayenne pepper
Cooking spray or olive oil
🔪 Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper; sprinkle over both sides of fish.
- Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Coat pan with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Coat both sides of cod fillets with cooking spray and place in the hot skillet.
- Cook fish for 3 minutes over medium heat on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and internal temperature is 145 degrees F in the thickest part of the fish.
- While fish is cooking mix together softened butter, cilantro, lime zest, paprika, and salt in a small bowl.
- Place fish on serving platter and squeeze lime quarters over fish. Serve with cilantro lime butter.
🥄 Equipment
Large skillet: a heavy bottomed or cast-iron skillet works best, it heats evenly and prevents the fish from sticking to the pan.
Small bowl: to mix the spices and butter mixture.
Fish spatula: this is the easiest way to turn fish over in the skillet when pan searing.
Microplane zester: to remove the zest from the lime.
Citrus juicer: to extract juice from the lime.
🥫Storage
Refrigerate: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.
Freeze: cooked fish can be stored in freezer safe containers up to 3 months
📖 Variations
- Swap the cod for other types of white fish, like haddock.
- Add other veggies to the pan, like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
- Swap the cilantro lime butter for other sauces or seasonings, like pesto, lemon butter, or chili powder.
💭 Tips
- Pat the cod fillets with paper towels to remove any excess moisture prior to seasoning.
- Keep the skillet hot enough to get a good sear on the fish and add color.
🙋 FAQ's
How long should cod fish cook in a pan?
A: Depending on the thickness of the cod, it should cook for 4-8 minutes per side. When done, the cod should be opaque and flake easily when prodded with a fork. Thick fillets will take longer to cook.
📚 Related Recipes
You will love this Air Fryer Cod recipe!
Taco Tuesday just got better when you serve these Cod Fish Tacos!
This Baked Haddock recipe is another easy and delicious fish recipe.
🍽 Serve with...
Serve this fish recipe with a side of air fryer asparagus, or if carbs can be on the plate, a side of french fries or potato wedges make a great side dish.
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When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating
📖 Recipe
Skillet Cod with Cilantro Lime Butter
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Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 pounds cod fillet , (4-6 ounce pieces)
- cooking spray
- 1 medium lime , quartered
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter , softened
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ teaspoon lime zest
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 dash black pepper
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper; sprinkle over both sides of fish.Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot.
- Coat pan with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Coat both sides of cod fillets with cooking spray and place in the hot skillet.
- Cook fish for 3 minutes over medium heat on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and internal temperature is 145 degrees F in the thickest part of the fish.
- While fish is cooking mix together softened butter, cilantro, lime zest, paprika, and salt in a small bowl.
- Place fish on serving platter and squeeze lime quarters over fish. Serve with cilantro lime butter.
honeyb
Thank you! It makes me so happy when someone tries a recipe and lets me know how they felt about it (good or bad!).
Anonymous
This was so good. Even my picky toddlers enjoyed it. Thank you!
Joyti
I'm one of those odd people to whom cilantro tastes soapy. Still, your cilantro butter sounds tasty - for those who enjoy cilantro!
From Valeries Kitchen
We love fish but I never think to do cod. I make have to pick some up next time I'm at Costco. Looks really good!
bellini
This sounds healthy and delicious Shelby. I hope that today love is in the air.
Aggie
I love this Shelby! That cilantro butter sounds perfect for fish.