Pan Fried Cod in a basil and citrus butter sauce. This is so easy to make, and it’s perfect for a special dinner or even a quick and light lunch. Chunks of pan fried cod are cooked in a citrus butter basil sauce!
I made some Pan Fried Cod just for you. It’s super easy if you have a decent non-stick pan (vital), some fish, a few citrus fruits, butter, and basil.
Best kitchen pan for my pan fried cod
I cook multiple times a day, usually in the morning for blog stuff and then again at night for the family, so having good equipment is important to me. This includes pots and pans, and my major pet peeve is when food sticks to the pan.
So when I was asked to try this cookware set from Wolf Gourmet, I typed a big fat yes in the email reply.
I don’t do many reviews on the blog, but since I was about to tie my current cookware set to a rocket and send it into orbit because I hate it so much, this sounded like a good idea. Wolf Gourmet cookware is made up of multiple layers of stainless steel and an aluminum core to help with durability and keeping even heat distribution. They definitely score high on looks too!
I used the 3.5 quart sauté pan to cook my fish and the 8.5 inch skillet for the butter sauce. They both performed well and I was really pleased to have nothing stick to the pan.
Can I use any other fish for this recipe?
This is a really simple recipe with only a few fresh ingredients to hunt down. I used cod but you could use any firm white fish such as halibut, snapper, rockfish or sea bass. Salmon, my favorite fish of all time would work well too but just make sure it’s Copper River Salmon for the best quality!
How to make pan fried cod
The fish gets soaked in some olive oil and the juice from the citrus. Afterward, pan fry it until almost done and then make the easy butter sauce.
I poured the sauce back over the fish and then added some extra fresh basil because there was never a time when I said: “Whoa, too much basil.”
You can serve this straight from the pan – geez, you can even eat it straight from the pan, just as I did once I finished shooting it. But if your manners are better than mine (and I know they are) serve it over brown rice with some of the sauce.
Should I use salted or unsalted butter for my pan fried cod?
I always tend to use salted butter just because of the added flavor, but if you’re watching your salt intake go with unsalted.
Can I use dried basil instead of fresh basil?
You could but the results will be nowhere near as good if you use fresh basil!
Pan Fried Cod in a Citrus and Basil Butter Sauce
A light springtime dish with flaky white pan fried cod in a citrus butter sauce. Add some fresh basil to brighten up the color and pack another flavor punch.
Ingredients
- 1-1 1/2 pounds white cod filets
- 3 oranges
- 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup olive oil divided
- Fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
Lay the cod filets in a shallow pan or baking dish.
- Zest 1 orange and 1 lemon and add zest to the fish.
Squeeze the juice from the orange and lemon you just zested and add to 1/4 cup of the olive oil.
Whisk together and pour over the fish. Cover and let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
- In a large oven safe saute pan heat the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil until hot.
Carefully shake the excess marinade from the fish, saving it, and drop the fish into the pan.
- Cook over a medium heat for about 4 minutes and then flip and repeat on the other side.
- Season the fish with some salt and black pepper.
- Place the fish into the oven to keep warm while you make the sauce.
- In another smaller pan, melt the butter and add the sugar and remaining leftover marinade from the fish.
- Add the juice of the remaining two oranges to the pan.
- Bring to a boil whisking regularly until the sauce has thickened slightly and reduced.
- Add about 1/4 cup of finely shredded basil leaves to the sauce.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
- Bring the fish from the oven and pour the thickened sauce over it.
- Add more basil if desired and serve over rice or quinoa.
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
You had me at basil butter sauce, what a killer meal!
Catherine says
Gerry, what a gorgeous dish…bursting with bright flavors this is a perfect Springtime meal. I would love to try it soon. Pinned for later. Have a wonderful weekend, Catherine
Cathleen @ A Taste Of Madness says
This looks delicious! I should really cook with fish more often!
Elaine Tarullo says
Can’t wait to try this…..sounds delish!
Penny at the Comforts of Home says
This sounds delicious! I have pinned it and hope to make it this weekend. Your photos are stunning. To enter the giveaway, do you just leave a comment or did I miss something in the post? Thanks!
Diana says
Beautiful pan and the cod with basil butter sauce looks amazing!
Erin says
I adore cod in any form but this sounds particularly delicious! Pinning!
Annette says
I love this recipe! It looks so pretty and delicious.
Maxine Reisen says
I’ve been looking for a yummy recipe for fish. I’m a novice at cooking fish so is helpful. Sounds like dinner to me.
Rust says
Basil butter – YUM! The recipe AND the cookware are gorgeous!
Alex says
Can’t wait to give this one a try with the oranges and lemons from the backyard!
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
This cod! This sauce! I want to pour that sauce on the cod AND my face! Can’t wait to try this recipe! Pinned!
Holly says
Gorgeous photos! I really need to master cooking fish :)
John | heneedsfood says
Basil and orange – I can’t say I’ve tried this combination before, but something tells me I’d be all over it. What a perfect way to cook fish – and in a rather nice looking pan!
LaTanya says
This recipe looks so fresh, bright, and delicious
Linda says
That sauce looks so delicious and I am a big fish fan so yum! Thanks for the chance.
Amy L says
I’m always looking for new ways to prepare fish, and this recipe looks amazing! And I have my fingers crossed, hoping to win a shiny new pan :)
manda says
The recipe look sgreat.
Cathy O'Connell says
Can’t rate the recipe as I haven’t tried it yet, but it sounds fantastic! Love citrus and basil with fish (ok – LOVE citrus and basil!). Definitely trying this over the weekend. Found your blog through Elise at Simply Recipes.
Not sure how to enter the giveaway, but would love to … could use a new saute pan. Will check your blog again when I have more time to check out your other recipes.
foodnessgracious says
Glad to have you visit Cathy!
Patricia says
I love fish and with basil and citrus, it’s a hands down,winner. Love the pans also. Do you have to enter somewhere to win the pan?
foodnessgracious says
A comment is how you enter Patricia :)
Harmony b says
The food and photos are amazing
foodnessgracious says
Thanks Harmony :)
Rach's Recipes says
I brought this to a dinner and it was a hit! It’s light, refreshing, and satisfying all at the same time. I added some paprika before serving for a little kick. Will definitely be making it again thank you!
foodnessgracious says
Hi Rachel, thanks for the feedback, it’s really important and i’m so glad you liked it. Love the paprika touch!
Melanie Rodrigue says
Thanks for sharing the recipe! I tried it last night and it was excellent. I did have to add a little more sweetness to the sauce, went with some honey instead of more sugar, guessing my citrus was much more tart. But overall a wonderfully flavorful dish.
Laxsupermom says
Yum! Looks like the perfect springtime meal. I have this bookmarked for tomorrow night. We have to mark National Grilled Cheese Day with some chicken avocado grilled cheese sandwiches tonight.
Donya says
zested – not tested.
Tyneisha says
Oh my goodness this makes me want to go to the kitchen right now (and do what, I don’t know haha)!! Looks amazing!
Carole S says
Having lived for many years in New England, I do love cod and shall try this recipe for Meatless Monday. Thanks for the inspiration.
Kristina M says
Basil butter sauce? Yes, please! This will be my dinner tomorrow night!
Jean says
Not a fish fan, but think I could like this!
Kristen says
I would feel like Queen of the Kitchen if I had such gorgeous cookware!
Lynn's Southern Heart says
Wow, I cant wait to try this recipe. We love cod and who doesn’t LOVE butter??? Thanks for the opportunity to win a pan. Good Luck y’all!
foodnessgracious says
Umm, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love butter Lynn ;)
Renda says
Made this last night came out great using orange roughy.
foodnessgracious says
Great Renda, I love the feedback :)
ronda says
I made this recipe, loved the idea of. Citrus and basil but instructions were complicated to follow. I loved the flavor of the recipe, husband did not.
foodnessgracious says
Hey Ronda, glad you liked the flavor and I really appreciate the feedback :)
Jestina says
Trying it out now sounds great and tasty will comeback with feedback
Courtney says
This was a fantastic recipe . Bright and very citrusy.
I started by quartering a sweet potato and baking it at 400 degrees for 20 min on both sides. I also added half of a chopped onion when frying the fish. Additionally, rather than placing the fish in the oven while making the sauce, I fried the fish and made the sauce at the same time – both took 8 minutes. I sliced the potato and combined everything along with roughly a cup of quinoa. I’m going to try the dish with carrots and perhaps some red peppers for color nex time.
foodnessgracious says
Awesome Courtney and I love the way you adapted it! Thanks :)
Rachel says
This was very tasty. I would omit the sugar next time. I rarely make recipes with sugar, but included a scant tbls of brown sugar in this one. I feel it would def., be sweet enough for us without. Adding this to my go to fish recipes.
foodnessgracious says
Thanks for the feedback Rachel!!
Kay says
Wonderful flavor! Thanks for this recipe!
foodnessgracious says
Thanks Kay, glad you liked it!