Description
Easy Low-Carb Cod with Garlic Herb Butter is a quick seafood dinner featuring tender pan-seared cod finished with a rich garlic, herb, butter, and lemon sauce. Ready in about 25 minutes, this simple low-carb cod recipe makes an easy choice for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
4 cod fillets, 5–6 ounces (140–170 g) each
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika, optional
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
Fresh parsley, for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
1. Pat the cod fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, black pepper, and optional paprika.
2. Finely mince the garlic and chop the parsley, thyme, and rosemary. Zest and juice the lemon.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat until glossy.
4. Add the cod fillets and cook without moving for 3–4 minutes. Carefully flip and cook for another 2–4 minutes, until opaque and flaky. Transfer to a plate.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the same skillet and allow it to melt.
6. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30–60 seconds, stirring gently until fragrant without browning.
7. Stir in parsley, thyme, rosemary, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for another 20–30 seconds.
8. Remove briefly from direct heat. Stir in lemon zest and lemon juice. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
9. Return the cod to the skillet. Spoon the garlic herb butter over each fillet and warm over low heat for about 1 minute.
10. Serve immediately with remaining garlic herb butter, fresh parsley, and lemon wedges.
Notes
Pat the cod completely dry before searing to encourage better browning.
Choose similarly sized fillets so they cook evenly.
Avoid overcooking the cod. Cook fish to an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Keep the heat low when cooking the garlic so it doesn’t burn.
Fresh dill, basil, or chives can replace or complement the listed herbs.
Fully thaw frozen cod in the refrigerator and pat it thoroughly dry before cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy within 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Pan-Seared
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg