Pan Fried Cod Recipe

Pan Fried Cod is a great little recipe. So simple and delicious, we let the tender white fish shine through with just some smoky seasonings.

cooked cod on a wooden plate

Pan Fried Cod is one of those recipes that it really is hard to call a recipe. It is really so simple. Just more of an infusion of flavors carried on a really good, flaky white fish. More like our TACO CASSEROLE, the recipe is really more for the seasoning part and could be used in many different types of protein options.

Eating healthy can be simple

I think some may think you have to have all of these odd ingredients and complicated recipes to eat well and healthy. I love recipes like this that show that simplest is always best. You can eat really, really well and I hope you take a look at our other recipes that show that like, LIGHT AND HEALTHY CHICKEN POT PIE and our SHEET PAN MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES. These are just a couple of really great options that show how you can eat so well and not miss a thing. And for an even better twist on cod, try our friends Jenn’s SMOKED COD recipe!

How to Make It

Simple, pantry staple ingredients make up this one. I like to compare cooking to a science experiment. It often is just about trying different flavor combinations to see if they are a good fit. This one is great and all purpose and can be used in a variety of ways.

Ingredients

  • 1 & ½ pound of Fresh Cod
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Dried parsley, for garnish

Instructions

I hesitate to even give detailed instruction this is so easy. Pan frying the fish just for a minute or two on each side is almost effortless. The real instruction here is in the addition of flavors!

Prepare fish by patting dry. Combine garlic, paprika, onion powder, salt and celery seed in a small bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle over both sides of fish and allow to rest.

drying fish with paper towels
adding onion powder
adding garlic powder
adding smoked paprika
adding celery seed

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adding pink salt
seasoned fish on white paper towels

In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over low to medium heat. When hot, add fish and cook for 2 minutes. Carefully flip the fish and add lemon juice. Cook 2 minutes more until browned and flaky.

melting olive oil and butter in skillet
4 cod filets cooking in cast iron skillet
bottled lemon juice

Serve warm garnished with parsley and drizzled with pan sauce.

cooked cod with colorful veggies on a wooden plate

Tips and Tricks

Can I use another kind of Fish ?

Of course! Most fish, as long as the filets are fairly thin can be pan fried and served up in a hurry. If you use a thicker filet, just increase your cooking time a bit. Give it the old for test to make sure its flaky and done.

Why is pan frying healthier?

It’s simple, it comes down to the amount of fatty oils used. Deep frying infuses more fat into the fish. Naturally pan frying gets the job done and no breading is involved and oil is kept to a minimum. Baked is always better for you but this method won’t hurt too bad!

How do I tell if it is done?

The old fork test is the best. Put a fork in the thickest part of the fish and twist. If it flakes easily, it is done! Easy peasy!

cooked fish on a wooden plate garnished with parsley
cooked cod with colorful veggies on a wooden plate

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cooked fish on a wooden plate garnished with parsley

Pan Fried Cod

Pan Fried Cod is a great little recipe. So simple and delicious, we let the tender white fish shine through with just some smoky seasonings.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Serving Size 4

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds Fresh Cod
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons Smoked Paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Dried parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Prepare fish by patting dry. Combine garlic, paprika, onion
    powder, salt and celery seed in a small bowl. Mix well. Sprinkle over both
    sides of fish and allow to rest.
  • In a large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over low to
    medium heat. When hot, add fish and cook for 2 minutes. Carefully flip the fish
    and add lemon juice. Cook 2 minutes more until browned and flaky.
  • Serve warm garnished with parsley and drizzled with pan
    sauce.

See How To Make It!

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6 Comments

  1. Iโ€™m on a shopping trip especially for cod fish. When I was a little girl, my Dad use to take me deep sea fishing.
    Oh man, the cod, the flounder and the boat!! I loved all of it. Then my Dad was an amazing cook!! An amazing baker and just a beautiful human. I still cook cod but this will be special. Iโ€™m using your recipe ๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ๐ŸŸ

  2. 5 stars
    This was perfect! The amount of seasoning was just right, and the cod cooked up so fast and delightfully tender. This one goes into the rotation!