This broiled cod recipe is an easy, flavorful weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy. With just five ingredients and under 20 minutes from start to finish, it’s perfect for busy evenings. It’s also naturally low carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free—making it a great fit for a variety of diets.
Simple, Fast, and Full of Flavor
Tender cod fillets are lightly broiled in a buttery lemon garlic sauce, then garnished with fresh parsley and lemon slices. It’s a minimal-effort recipe that doesn’t skimp on taste.
I received a generous shipment of wild-caught cod fillets from Sitka Salmon Shares in the spring, and this recipe was one of the first I created with them. While I usually cook with salmon or shrimp, cod is quickly becoming one of my favorites—it’s delicate, flaky, and so versatile.
Sitka Salmon Shares, if you haven’t heard of them, offers a monthly seafood subscription similar to a CSA. They send fresh, sustainably harvested seafood right to your door. Their commitment to supporting independent fishermen and delivering high-quality seafood has been impressive, and I’m excited for all the seafood still to come—especially the upcoming salmon, sashimi-grade tuna, spot prawns, and Dungeness crab!
This particular dish is inspired by a simple lemon-butter cod I once enjoyed at a restaurant in Florida. It reminded me a lot of my garlic butter chicken and steak bite recipes—simple ingredients, bold flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. From prep to plate in under 20 minutes.
- Few ingredients. All you need is cod, garlic, lemon, butter, and herbs.
- Kid-approved. Cod’s mild flavor makes it a hit with picky eaters.
- Diet-friendly. Low carb, keto, and gluten-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 lb cod fillets (4 pieces)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 4 tbsp butter
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Chef’s Tip: Use fillets that are similar in thickness so they broil evenly.
You’ll also need a cast iron or oven-safe skillet (10–12 inches). If you don’t have one, a baking dish will work—check the recipe card notes for adjustments.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Prep Work
- If using frozen cod, thaw it completely before cooking.
- Preheat your broiler.
- Zest and juice the lemon, and chop the garlic and parsley.
Season and Sear
- Pat the cod dry with paper towels.
- Season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a cast iron or oven-proof skillet (no larger than 12 inches), melt the butter over medium-high heat.
- Stir in the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
- Add the lemon juice and zest, stirring to combine.
Add Cod and Broil
- Place the cod fillets in the pan. Cook for 1 minute on the stovetop.
- Flip the fillets gently.
- Move the skillet to the oven, placing it 4–6 inches below the broiler.
- Broil for 6–9 minutes, depending on thickness, or until internal temperature reaches 130–140°F. Fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
Serve
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra lemon slices if desired.
- Serve hot, straight from the skillet.
Tips for Success
- Use cod fillets that are uniform in size to ensure even cooking.
- If you don’t own an oven-safe skillet, cook the garlic lemon butter separately and pour it over the cod in a baking dish before broiling.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Eat within 3–4 days.
FAQs
What goes well with cod?
Cod is mild in flavor and pairs beautifully with many sides. Some good options include:
- Roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, or zucchini
- Mashed, roasted, or baked potatoes
- Steamed rice or wild rice blends
- Fresh green salad with vinaigrette
Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
This broiled cod recipe is an easy, flavorful weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod fillets (about 4 pieces)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the broiler. Dab the cod dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a cast iron or oven-safe skillet (12 inches or smaller), melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 30 seconds. Stir in lemon juice and zest.
- Carefully place the seasoned cod fillets into the pan. Let them cook for 1 minute, then gently flip each one.
- Move the skillet to the oven, positioning it about 4–6 inches below the broiler. Broil for 6–9 minutes, depending on thickness, until the fish reaches an internal temperature of 130–140°F in the thickest part.
- Once cooked, remove from oven. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with extra lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
- Uniform fillets: Choose cod pieces of similar size and thickness so they cook evenly.
- No oven-safe skillet? Use a regular skillet for the sauce, then transfer everything to a baking dish before broiling.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and use within 3–4 days.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 227Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 7gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 93mgSodium 356mgCarbohydrates 2gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 26g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
