Tangy Tomato Lemon Butter Cod Recipe: A Zesty Seafood Treat

Sizzling seafood lovers rejoice when this cod in a tomato lemon butter sauce lands on the dinner table.

Mediterranean flavors dance across your plate with surprising elegance and simplicity.

White fish never tasted so vibrant and fresh.

The bright citrus notes perfectly complement the rich, velvety sauce that coats each tender piece of cod.

Robust tomatoes add depth and color to this elegant dish.

Weeknight dinners become extraordinary with just a few strategic ingredients and quick preparation.

You’ll be amazed how effortlessly restaurant-quality seafood emerges from your own kitchen.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Cod in Buttery Tomato Sauce

• Olive Oil: Provides smooth, rich foundation for searing fish with minimal sticking.
• Butter: Adds luxurious creaminess and helps develop golden, rich flavor profile.

• Cod: Delicate white fish with mild, sweet flavor perfect for quick cooking and absorbing sauce.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance natural taste and create depth.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle, warming heat and subtle complexity.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides robust, earthy undertone to the dish.
• Green Onions: Offers fresh, bright onion essence with both white and green parts adding different flavor layers.

• Cherry Tomatoes: Brings sweet, juicy burst of freshness and vibrant color to the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: Provides rich, savory liquid base that adds depth and moisture.
• Lemon Juice: Introduces bright, zesty acidity that cuts through richness and balances flavors.

• Parsley: Adds clean, crisp herbal note and visual appeal.
• Basil: Contributes sweet, peppery undertone with classic Mediterranean character.

Tools That Help You Pan-Cook Cod to Perfection

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking cod and creating the delicious sauce, with enough space to sear fish and sauté tomatoes.
• Spatula: Perfect for flipping cod and gently stirring ingredients without breaking delicate fish.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps precisely add salt, pepper, and butter for balanced flavors.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping herbs and green onions before adding to the dish.
• Chef's Knife: Crucial for finely mincing garlic and chopping fresh herbs with precision.

Directions for Juicy Cod with a Citrus Kick

• Cod Preparation

Select fresh cod fillets and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the fish with a gentle sprinkle of salt and cracked pepper.

• Skillet Sizzle

Heat a large skillet with olive oil and butter, creating a golden cooking surface. Carefully place cod into the hot pan, allowing it to develop a beautiful golden-brown crust.

• Tomato Magic

Toss cherry tomatoes into the same skillet, letting them dance and blister until they burst with sweet juices. The pan will come alive with vibrant colors and incredible aromas.

• Flavor Builders

Introduce minced garlic, sliced green onions, and a whisper of red pepper flakes. These ingredients will transform the simple sauce into a symphony of Mediterranean flavors.

• Liquid Harmony

Pour chicken broth into the skillet, creating a light, fragrant liquid. Squeeze fresh lemon juice and add a final pat of butter, allowing the sauce to simmer and marry all the delicious elements together.

• Final Touch

Gently nestle the cooked cod back into the sauce. Sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley and basil across the dish, creating a bright, inviting presentation that promises a delightful meal.

Tips to Adjust Tomato Lemon Sauce to Taste

• Cooking Tips & Variations
• Fresh Fish Selection: Pick cod with firm, translucent flesh and no strong fishy smell. Look for wild-caught options for better flavor and sustainability. Fresh fish ensures the best taste and texture in your dish.
• Perfect Searing Technique: Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels before cooking to achieve golden-brown crust. Use a heavy-bottomed skillet for even heat distribution and crispy exterior. Allow pan to get hot before adding fish to prevent sticking.
• Herb Swaps: Experiment with different fresh herbs like dill, chives, or tarragon instead of parsley and basil. Each herb brings a unique flavor profile that can transform the entire dish. Feel free to mix and match based on your garden or market availability.
• Protein Alternatives: Swap cod with other white fish like halibut, tilapia, or sea bass. Each fish will absorb the zesty lemon butter sauce differently, creating exciting flavor variations. Adjust cooking time based on fish thickness to ensure perfect doneness.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat preference. Start with a pinch for mild warmth or increase for a spicier kick. Consider adding smoked paprika for depth without intense heat.

How to Serve This Elegant Seafood Meal

• Seafood Feast Companions
• Fluffy white rice catches every delicious drop of the tangy tomato lemon butter sauce, creating a perfect base for the tender cod.
• Rustic Bread Dipping Delight
• Crusty sourdough or warm baguette slices are amazing for soaking up the rich, zesty sauce, ensuring no flavor goes to waste.
• Fresh Salad Sidekick
• A crisp arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette provides a bright, peppery contrast to the rich, buttery fish, balancing the entire meal's flavor profile.
• Wine Pairing Perfection
• A chilled glass of crisp sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio complements the cod's delicate texture and enhances the bright, lemony sauce, elevating the dining experience.

Keep Cod Ready to Enjoy Later

• Fresh Catch Storage: Keep raw cod in the coldest part of your refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or sealed container. Use within 1-2 days for maximum freshness and optimal flavor.
• Leftovers Revival: Gently reheat remaining cod in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture. Warm at low-medium heat to prevent overcooking and drying out the delicate fish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare sauce ingredients beforehand and store separately in airtight containers. Keep sauce and fish components refrigerated up to 24 hours before final cooking for quick weeknight meal preparation.
• Freezing Strategy: While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze cooked cod in a sealed container with minimal sauce for up to 3 weeks. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat carefully to prevent texture breakdown.

Zesty Cod Recipe

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• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Mediterranean cod delights home cooks with its zesty lemon butter sauce and fresh ingredients. Seafood enthusiasts can savor this simple yet elegant dish that brings coastal flavors directly to dinner tables.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (0.45 kg) cod
• 1 lb (0.45 kg) cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
• 2 tbsps (30 ml) lemon juice
• 2 tbsps (28 g) butter
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 3 green onions, sliced and divided (whites and greens)
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp basil, chopped
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat large skillet over medium-high heat, combining olive oil and butter to create a rich cooking base.
2. Seasoning: Coat cod fillets thoroughly with salt and pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor coverage.
3. Searing: Introduce cod to hot skillet, developing a golden-brown crust on each side (2-3 minutes per surface), then transfer to a separate plate.
4. Vegetable Infusion: Add cherry tomatoes to the same skillet, allowing them to blister and caramelize while releasing intense flavor profiles.
5. Aromatic Enhancement: Reduce heat to medium, incorporating minced garlic, green onion whites, and red pepper flakes to build complex flavor layers.
6. Sauce Development: Pour chicken broth into skillet, simmering and reducing for approximately 3 minutes to concentrate sauce’s depth.
7. Finishing Touches: Introduce lemon juice and butter, whisking to create a silky emulsion that brightens and balances the sauce.
8. Final Assembly: Gently return cod fillets to skillet, allowing them to warm and absorb the vibrant sauce’s essence.
9. Presentation: Garnish with green onion tops, chopped parsley, and delicate basil leaves, creating a fresh, herbaceous crown before serving immediately.

Notes

• Sear with Precision: Achieve a golden-brown crust by patting cod dry before cooking and using high heat to create caramelization without overcooking.
• Aromatics Matter: Layer flavors by sautéing garlic and green onion whites briefly to prevent burning and release their intense, sweet undertones.
• Sauce Secrets: Reduce chicken broth slowly to concentrate flavor, creating a rich, silky sauce that clings perfectly to the delicate cod.
• Herb Finishing Touch: Add fresh herbs like parsley and basil at the last moment to preserve their vibrant color and bright, fresh flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg