Skillet Cod with Cilantro Lime Butter

If you're looking for a delicious and easy weeknight meal, skillet cod with cilantro lime butter is a great option. This easy recipe is one of my favorite ways to make cod fish in just minutes and it is packed with flavor and fresh ingredients.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why you'll love it
• 🥘 Ingredients
• 🔪 Instructions
• 🥄 Equipment
• 🥫Storage
• 📖 Variations
• 💭 Tips
• 🙋 FAQ's
• 📚 Related Recipes
• 🍽 Serve with...
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

❤️ Why you'll love it

Simple recipe: All you need to do is pan-fry the cod, and make the cilantro lime butter while it's cooking. It's a quick and easy meal that comes together in no time. 

Low carb: this pan-seared cod fish is my go-to recipe for a naturally low carb meal. It's a great way to feed the whole family a healthy meal with 41 grams of protein and just 1 net carb!

Packed with flavor: the cilantro lime butter is made with fresh herbs, zesty lime juice, and spices, giving the cod a bright and delicious flavor.

🥘 Ingredients

Fresh Cod Fillets: look for a piece of fish that is firm, and has a pleasant odor.

Fresh limes: juice is for garnish and zest will be used to flavor butter.

Unsalted Butter

Fresh cilantro

Paprika

Ground cumin

Garlic powder

Salt

Black pepper (optional)

Cayenne pepper

Cooking spray or olive oil

🔪 Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine the salt, cumin, and cayenne pepper; sprinkle over both sides of fish.
2. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Coat pan with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking. Coat both sides of cod fillets with cooking spray and place in the hot skillet.
3. Cook fish for 3 minutes over medium heat on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and internal temperature is 145 degrees F in the thickest part of the fish.
4. While fish is cooking mix together softened butter, cilantro, lime zest, paprika, and salt in a small bowl.
5. Place fish on serving platter and squeeze lime quarters over fish. Serve with cilantro lime butter.

🥄 Equipment

Large skillet: a heavy bottomed or cast-iron skillet works best, it heats evenly and prevents the fish from sticking to the pan.

Small bowl: to mix the spices and butter mixture.

Fish spatula: this is the easiest way to turn fish over in the skillet when pan searing.

Microplane zester: to remove the zest from the lime.

Citrus juicer: to extract juice from the lime.

🥫Storage

Refrigerate: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 4 days.

Freeze: cooked fish can be stored in freezer safe containers up to 3 months

📖 Variations

• Swap the cod for other types of white fish, like haddock.
• Add other veggies to the pan, like bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms.
• Swap the cilantro lime butter for other sauces or seasonings, like pesto, lemon butter, or chili powder. 

💭 Tips

• Pat the cod fillets with paper towels to remove any excess moisture prior to seasoning.
• Keep the skillet hot enough to get a good sear on the fish and add color.

🙋 FAQ's

How long should cod fish cook in a pan?

A: Depending on the thickness of the cod, it should cook for 4-8 minutes per side. When done, the cod should be opaque and flake easily when prodded with a fork. Thick fillets will take longer to cook.

📚 Related Recipes

You will love this Air Fryer Cod recipe!

Taco Tuesday just got better when you serve these Cod Fish Tacos!

This Baked Haddock recipe is another easy and delicious fish recipe.

Air Fryer Fish Sticks are a healthier way to enjoy fish sticks!

🍽 Serve with...

Serve this fish recipe with a side of air fryer asparagus, or if carbs can be on the plate, a side of french fries or potato wedges make a great side dish.

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When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!

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📖 Recipe