Lemon Herb Butter Pan Seared Cod with Asparagus

Tender pan-seared cod fillets coated in a flavorful lemon herb butter, served alongside crisp-tender asparagus. A simple yet elegant dish perfect for a weeknight dinner.

By RecipeBoss

Servings

Time Required

25 min

Ingredients

4 cod fillets

1 bunch asparagus

4 tbsp butter

2 tbsp olive oil

1 lemon

2 clove garlic

2 tbsp fresh parsley

1 tbsp fresh dill

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1
Prepare the asparagus: Wash the asparagus and trim off the tough woody ends. If spears are very thick, you can peel the lower half.
2
Prepare the cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Mince the garlic.
3
Make the lemon herb butter: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, chopped parsley, and chopped dill. Stir to combine. Zest half of the lemon and add to the butter mixture. Juice the zested lemon half and set aside.
4
Sear the cod: Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the lemon herb butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until the butter is melted and shimmering. Carefully place the cod fillets in the hot skillet. Sear for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The fish should flake easily with a fork. Remove cod from skillet and set aside.
5
Sauté the asparagus: Add the prepared asparagus to the same skillet. Cook for 4-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender. If the pan seems dry, add a tablespoon of water.
6
Finish the dish: Return the cod to the skillet with the asparagus. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon herb butter and the reserved lemon juice to the skillet. Spoon the melting butter over the cod and asparagus. Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the butter is melted and the sauce has slightly thickened. Serve immediately.

Perfect With

Rice pilafQuinoa saladCrusty bread