Pan Fried Cod in a Citrus Basil Butter Sauce Recipe
Pan Fried Cod in a Citrus Basil Butter Sauce is a delicious and light seafood dish featuring tender cod filets pan-seared to perfection and served with a rich, tangy citrus butter sauce infused with fresh basil. The marinade of orange and lemon juice adds bright, zesty flavors while the brown sugar and butter balance it with a subtle sweetness. This recipe offers an elegant yet simple way to enjoy fresh cod, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 27 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Marinade
- 2 (8 oz) white cod filets
- Zest of 1 orange
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of 2 oranges
- Juice of 1 lemon
- ¼ cup olive oil (for marinade)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Sauce and Cooking
- ¼ cup olive oil (for cooking)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter (divided: 2 tbsp for sauce, 1 tbsp for finishing)
- 1 tsp light brown sugar
- About ¼ cup fresh basil, shredded
Instructions
- Marinate the Cod: Lay the cod filets in a baking dish. Zest one orange and one lemon and sprinkle the zest over the fish. Squeeze the juice from both oranges and the lemon over the fish, then add ¼ cup olive oil. Cover the dish and allow the fish to marinate for at least one hour to absorb the citrus flavors.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 250°F (120°C) to prepare for keeping the fish warm later.
- Prepare to Cook: In a large, oven-safe sauté pan, heat the remaining ¼ cup olive oil over medium heat. Remove the fish from the marinade, shaking off the excess but reserving the marinade for the sauce.
- Pan-Fry the Cod: Place the cod filets in the hot pan and season with salt and black pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the fish is golden and opaque throughout.
- Warm the Fish: Transfer the sauté pan with the cooked fish into the preheated oven to keep it warm while you make the sauce.
- Make the Citrus Basil Butter Sauce: In a separate pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the brown sugar and reserved marinade. Slice the remaining orange and add its juice into the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then whisk continuously until the sauce thickens and reduces by about half.
- Finish the Sauce: Add about ¼ cup shredded fresh basil and the remaining tablespoon of butter to the sauce. Whisk until the butter melts and is fully incorporated.
- Serve: Remove the fish from the oven and spoon the thickened citrus basil butter sauce generously over each filet. Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a vegan option, substitute butter with margarine or vegan butter.
- Choose wild-caught Pacific cod to ensure sustainable and responsible sourcing.
- Brown sugar can be replaced with natural sweeteners like maple syrup or agave syrup for a different sweetness profile.
- Make sure not to overcook the cod; it should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
- Using an oven-safe pan allows you to easily transfer from stovetop to oven for warming.
Keywords: pan fried cod, citrus basil butter sauce, cod recipe, seafood dinner, easy cod recipe, healthy fish recipe
