Crispy Pan Seared Cod is a quick and easy main dish. You only need a few ingredients and 30 minutes to make it. It’s a light meal that is great with a salad or vegetable on the side for an easy weeknight dinner.
Fish is great for weeknights because it doesn’t take long to cook and, depending on the type of fish, goes with many different side dishes. Because of this, 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 meal 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.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Garlic powder
- Cod fillets – you can use fresh or frozen ones that are thawed.
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Melted unsalted butter
How to Pan Sear Cod
Combine the flour and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
Season the cod fillets with salt and pepper and then coat each in the flour mixture. Shake off the excess flour.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the floured fillets in the skillet and cook them for about five minutes on each side or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
Just before the cod is done, brush the pieces with the melted butter. Serve the fish right away.
Recipe FAQs
How do you know when cod is done cooking? The easiest way to know when it’s done is to test it with a fork. You should be able to flake the fish easily.
Why is my cod tough? Make sure the fish is completely thawed before cooking, so it’s not tough. Also, undercooked cod will be chewy, so don’t take it out of the skillet until it flakes easily.
How long does cooked cod keep? Store the cooked fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should keep well for three to four days. The breading won’t stay crispy once it’s chilled, but it will still taste good.
What goes with cod? There are lots of side dishes you can try. French fries and tater tots are always good. Many vegetables go with it, too, like sauteed broccoli, zucchini, asparagus, green peas or green beans. Or, pair your pan seared cod with a salad.
A Few More Recipe 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, lemon pepper, or dried herbs.
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. Lightly crispy, buttery cod is a really simple dinner that has lots of flavor. It’s so easy and a great dinner to learn how to make. Once you try it, you’ll want it in your meal plan every week.
Side Dishes to Enjoy with Pan Seared Cod
Pan Seared Cod Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Cod filets we used frozen
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
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
We love this Pan Seared Cod dish because the flavors go with many different sides, so we can have it in our dinner rotation and not get bored.
Nice and easy . Most people will have all available ingredients and any side is good. Thanks