This Pan Seared Cod is a quick and easy main dish – done in 30 minutes! It’s a lighter version of fish n’ chips – we absolutely love this with a side of fries or tater tots – the perfect weeknight meal even the picky eaters will eat.
Easy Homemade Cod
Fish is great for weeknights because it doesn’t take long to cook and goes with many different side dishes. We have fish at least once a week and one of our favorites to cook is cod!
Cod is a type of firm white fish that has a mild flavor. Because it’s mild, you can pair it with all kinds of flavors, so it’s easy to switch up. You can enjoy it plain, but one of my favorite ways to make it is with a light breading and then pan-searing it, so it gets a bit crispy.
This is an easy 30-minute tender cod that is easy to make. We love it because the flavors go with many different sides, so we can have it in our dinner rotation and not get bored.
Ingredients Needed
- All-Purpose Flour: What we use to bread the fish.
- Garlic Powder: One of our favorite seasonings. If you happen to use garlic salt be sure and reduce or omit added salt from the recipe.
- Cod Fillets: You can use fresh or frozen ones that are thawed.
- Butter: We love to used unsalted butter, but salted may be substituted
- Olive Oil: For cooking the fish. We’re lightly pan frying it – you can substitute vegetable oil or canola oil.
What Goes Good With Cod?
Salads and other vegetables are always a great side.
You could also make potatoes or tater tots!
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How to Pan Sear Cod
- Whisk garlic powder into flour. Salt and pepper the fish, then coat in the flour mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook fish on both sides until browned and flakey and cooked through.
Expert Tips
- Feel free to experiment with the seasonings in the flour. You can create different pan seared cod recipes just by switching the flavors: Try using different chili seasonings (paprika, onion powder, lemon pepper, or black pepper) or dried herbs (oregano, or parsley).
- The fish does not take long to cook, so be sure to keep an eye on it while it’s in the skillet. It can go from done to overcooked to burned pretty quick.
Storing
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a day. We don’t love leftover fish, so I recommend making just as much as you need.
Pan Seared Cod Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Cod filets we used frozen
- ½ cup (62g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter , melted
Instructions
- Place flour and garlic powder in a shallow dish and whisk together. Salt and pepper both sides of the filets. Dip each filet in the flour mixture and coat both sides. Gently shake off excess flour.
- Put olive oil in a large skillet and heat the oil on medium high heat. Cook the cod filets in the hot oil for about 5 minutes per side or until fish flakes with a fork. About a minute before the fish is done brush the butter on the fish. Serve.
Recipe Video
Recipe Nutrition
Nice and easy . Most people will have all available ingredients and any side is good. Thanks