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Easy Lemon Butter Garlic Cod Recipe with Crisp Green Beans Perfect for Dinner

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A quick and easy dinner recipe featuring tender cod fillets seared in a buttery garlic lemon sauce, paired with crisp green beans. Perfect for busy weeknights and packed with bright, comforting flavors.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cod fillets (6-ounce / 170g each), skinless and boneless
  • 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons / 45ml), plus zest from half the lemon
  • 12 ounces (340g) green beans, trimmed
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or dill

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients (5-7 minutes): Rinse the cod fillets under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim and rinse the green beans, then pat them dry. Mince the garlic finely, zest half of the lemon, and juice the lemon into a small bowl, removing any seeds.
  2. Cook the Green Beans (8-10 minutes): Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add green beans, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender with a slight char, about 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside, keeping the pan warm.
  3. Sear the Cod (6-8 minutes): In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Once melted and bubbling, add cod fillets. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until the underside is golden and edges start to look opaque.
  4. Flip and Add Flavor (3-4 minutes): Carefully flip the cod. Add minced garlic around the fillets and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour fresh lemon juice over the fish and sprinkle lemon zest on top. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, letting it melt and mix with juices to form a sauce.
  5. Finish Cooking (2-3 minutes): Spoon lemon butter garlic sauce over the cod as it finishes cooking. Fish should flake easily but hold together. If fillets are thick, cover pan loosely with a lid for a minute to help cook through.
  6. Plate and Garnish: Transfer cod to plates and spoon buttery sauce over the top. Arrange crisp green beans alongside. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or dill if using, and add a pinch of black pepper.

Notes

Pat dry the cod well before cooking to ensure a good sear. Use medium heat to avoid burning butter or garlic. Wait until the cod naturally releases from the pan before flipping to prevent breaking. Adjust cooking times if using frozen or thicker fillets. Fresh lemon juice is preferred for best flavor. For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with olive oil or plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter cod, garlic cod recipe, green beans side, quick fish dinner, easy weeknight meal, healthy cod recipe, gluten-free fish recipe

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