Bright, flaky, and infused with rich citrusy flavor, Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce is one of those winning weeknight dinners that feels like a restaurant treat without any of the fuss. In less than 20 minutes, you get juicy, perfectly broiled cod bathed in a luscious sauce that’s equal parts buttery and zesty. It’s bold enough to impress guests yet simple enough for an impromptu family meal — a recipe you’ll want to revisit again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s where the magic happens: this dish requires just a handful of ingredients, but each one earns its spot on the roster. Every subtle element brings something vital, adding flavor, aroma, or texture to make Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce truly unforgettable.
- Cod Fillets: Mild and flaky, cod is the perfect canvas for bright flavors and soaks up the sauce beautifully.
- Unsalted Butter (melted): Brings the creamy richness that makes the sauce irresistible while letting you control the saltiness.
- Olive Oil: Balances the butter with fruity notes and keeps the cod moist under the broiler.
- Garlic (minced): Offers that punchy aroma and classic savoriness that melds into the lemony butter sauce.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Adds zingy brightness, cutting through the richness and keeping the dish light.
- Lemon Zest: Dials up the citrus flavor and gives the final result an extraordinary freshness.
- Salt: Essential for seasoning both the fish and the sauce, highlighting every other flavor.
- Black Pepper: Gives just a touch of gentle heat to round out the dish.
- Chopped Fresh Parsley: Sprinkled on at the end for a burst of color and herbal freshness.
- Lemon Wedges (for serving): Let everyone amp up that lemony character to their heart’s content.
How to Make Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Start by preheating your broiler and lining a baking sheet with foil. Give the foil a light brush of olive oil or a quick spritz of nonstick spray so nothing sticks. The foil makes cleanup a breeze, and a prepped surface ensures your delicate cod will slide right off once it’s perfectly broiled.
Step 2: Ready the Cod
Take your cod fillets and gently pat them dry with paper towels. This simple step is crucial for getting that signature flaky texture and preventing any watery residue from muddling the sauce. Once dry, arrange the fillets on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a bit of space between each piece for even broiling.
Step 3: Mix Up the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, fresh lemon juice, zesty lemon peel, salt, and pepper. The aroma that comes off this mixture is pure magic — buttery, garlicky, and bursting with citrus. This sauce is what sets Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce apart from the rest.
Step 4: Sauce and Broil the Cod
Spoon the luscious lemon butter garlic sauce evenly over the cod fillets, making sure to cover the entire top surface of each one. Pop the baking sheet under the broiler and cook for 6 to 8 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your fillets, so keep an eye on them — once the fish is opaque in the center and flakes easily with a fork, it’s ready to go!
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Take your broiled cod out of the oven and immediately sprinkle it with freshly chopped parsley. This final flourish not only adds a burst of color but brings a fresh, herby element that ties the whole dish together. Serve your Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce hot, with plenty of lemon wedges on the side for an extra squeeze of brightness.
How to Serve Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce
Garnishes
After broiling, a generous shower of fresh parsley instantly brings the dish to life both visually and in taste. Don’t skimp on the lemon wedges either — an extra squeeze tableside gives everyone a pop of fresh tang. For a spark of color and a little flair, you can even add a sprinkle of tiny capers or a dusting of cracked black pepper before serving.
Side Dishes
Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce pairs beautifully with an array of sides. Serve it over a bed of fluffy steamed rice, spoon alongside roasted baby potatoes, or plate with vibrant green beans or asparagus. A crisp garden salad on the side makes for a fresh and balanced meal, letting the lightness and flavor of the cod shine through.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner-party twist, try plating the cod fillets on individual shallow bowls atop a thin layer of herbed couscous with the sauce drizzled all around. Or, nestle the cod on wilted spinach for gorgeous color contrast. If you want to make it special for a romantic meal, serve the fillets whole and garnish with edible flowers and microgreens for a restaurant-style presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce, let it cool to room temperature before transferring the fillets and extra sauce to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Lightly rewarm before serving to preserve the gentle flakiness of the fish.
Freezing
While cod can be frozen, the delicate sauce may lose some of its vibrancy after thawing. If you do want to freeze leftovers, wrap the cooled cod fillets individually in foil or parchment, then place them in a freezer bag for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge for the best texture.
Reheating
To reheat Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce, place the fillets and sauce in a baking dish and warm in a low oven (about 300°F) just until heated through. Microwaving can make the fish rubbery, so gentle oven reheating helps maintain that just-cooked, flaky goodness.
FAQs
Can I use frozen cod fillets for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the fillets completely and pat them very dry with paper towels before broiling. Extra moisture can prevent the sauce from clinging and may affect the finished texture.
How do I know when the cod is cooked through?
The cod is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Typically, under the broiler, this takes about 6 to 8 minutes, but slightly thicker fillets might need an extra minute or two. Keep a close eye so you don’t overcook it.
Can I substitute a different white fish?
Yes, other mild white fish like haddock or tilapia will work well in this Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce recipe. Just adjust the broiling time for thinner or thicker fillets as needed.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Absolutely! All the ingredients in Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce are naturally gluten-free, making it a great option for anyone avoiding gluten without sacrificing flavor.
Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can mix together the lemon butter garlic sauce earlier in the day and keep it refrigerated. Give it a quick whisk and let it come to room temperature before spooning over the fish so it spreads evenly as you broil.
Final Thoughts
Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce is a joyful celebration of simplicity and flavor, perfect for both beginners and seasoned cooks alike. If you’re looking for a way to bring a little extra sunshine to your dinner table, give this recipe a try — your taste buds and your loved ones will thank you!
Print
Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Delight your taste buds with this succulent Broiled Cod with Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce recipe. Tender cod fillets are bathed in a flavorful lemon butter garlic sauce and broiled to perfection, resulting in a dish that’s both elegant and easy to make.
Ingredients
Cod Fillets:
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the Broiler: Preheat the broiler and line a baking sheet with foil. Lightly grease the foil with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Prepare the Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and place them on the prepared baking sheet.
- Make the Lemon Butter Garlic Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the Cod with Sauce: Spoon the lemon butter garlic sauce evenly over the cod fillets.
- Broil the Cod: Broil the cod for 6–8 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque in the center.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Notes
- If your fillets are thicker, you may need to broil for an extra minute or two.
- This dish pairs beautifully with steamed vegetables, rice, or roasted potatoes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
