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!

This recipe has been updated since it's original post date
Cod is one of my favorite fish, next to salmon and this pan fried cod is perfect for dinner. It looks fancy but It's super easy to make and only takes about twenty five minutes. Cod is especially perfect for this recipe because of its firmness and ability to stay whole as it cooks.
The first step is to make the marinade and let the cod soak in it for a while. This is where that fresh citrus flavor comes from. The longer you marinade the better the flavor, so I suggest at least an hour. To cook the cod, you'll need a good non-stick pan. Sear the cod on each side for about 3 minutes and then place it into a warm oven while you make the sauce.


FAQ's about making pan fried cod
Can I use any other fish for this recipe? This is a really simple recipe with only a few fresh ingredients to hunt down. If you can't find cod, you could use any firm white fish such as halibut, monkfish, 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! Cod is also a great fish for any occasion and makes the best fish and chips! If you haven't cooked cod before see my post about how easy it is to cook cod.
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 skip the fresh basil!
Why is cod such a good fish for this recipe? Cod is a firm fleshed fish meaning it won't break apart like other thinner fish like tilapia or dover sole. That's why cod make the best fish and chips and makes it easy for the batter to stick to the fish. Cod also flakes really well and is very easy to cook
