Description
This elegant yet simple dish features flaky pan-seared cod bathed in a silky lemon-butter sauce, finished with juicy burst cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs. It’s light, fresh, and restaurant-quality, yet ready in under 20 minutes — perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
⏱ Time
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
🍽 Servings
4
🛒 Ingredients
🐟 Fish
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4 cod fillets (5–6 oz each), patted dry
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¾ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp garlic powder
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1 tbsp olive oil
🍅 Lemon Butter Sauce
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4 tbsp unsalted butter
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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½ cup cherry tomatoes (red & yellow), halved
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Zest of ½ lemon
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3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
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2 tbsp chicken or vegetable broth (optional, for thinning)
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1 tbsp chopped parsley
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1 tsp chopped fresh dill or thyme (optional)
🍋 Garnish (Optional)
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Lemon slices
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Fresh herbs
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Season the Fish
Season cod with salt, pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
2️⃣ Pan-Sear Cod
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and flaky. Transfer to plates and tent loosely with foil.
3️⃣ Make Lemon Butter Sauce
Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and garlic; sauté 30 seconds until fragrant. Add cherry tomatoes and cook 2 minutes until softened and blistered.
4️⃣ Finish Sauce
Stir in lemon zest, lemon juice, broth (if using), parsley, and herbs. Simmer 1 minute.
5️⃣ Serve
Spoon lemon butter sauce and tomatoes over fish. Garnish with lemon slices and herbs.
📝 Notes
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Cod flakes easily — avoid overcooking.
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Butter sauce thickens naturally as it cools.
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Tomatoes balance the richness with freshness.
💡 Tips
✔ Use cast iron for best sear
✔ Pat fish dry for crispy edges
✔ Add capers for briny flavor
✔ Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted asparagus
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I use another fish?
Yes — halibut, tilapia, haddock, or salmon work well.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — use olive oil or vegan butter.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate up to 2 days. Reheat gently.
Q: Can I bake instead?
Yes — bake at 400°F (200°C) for 12–15 minutes, then add sauce.
WW Points (per serving — 1 fillet with sauce)
Blue: 5 points
Green: 7 points
Purple: 3 points
🧮 Main Point Source
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Butter = most points
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Fish & veggies = 0 points
💡 To Lower Points
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Use 2 tbsp butter instead of 4 → drops by ~2 points
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Swap half butter for olive oil spray → even lower