Quick Lemon Butter Cod Recipe Easy 15-Minute Dinner with Green Beans
A quick and easy lemon butter cod recipe paired with tender-crisp green beans, perfect for busy weeknights. This light yet flavorful meal comes together in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients and a luscious lemon butter sauce.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz / 170 g each, skinless and boneless)
- 12 oz (340 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste (kosher salt recommended)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients (5 minutes): Rinse and pat dry the cod fillets, trim the green beans, mince the garlic, and juice the lemon. Season the cod on both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Cook the Green Beans (5 minutes): Heat olive oil over medium heat in your skillet. Add the green beans, season lightly with salt, and sauté, stirring occasionally, until tender-crisp and bright green (about 4-5 minutes). Remove the green beans from the pan and set aside.
- Cook the Cod (4-5 minutes): In the same pan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant (do not brown). Place the cod fillets in the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on one side until golden and crispy.
- Flip and Finish with Lemon Butter Sauce (3-4 minutes): Carefully flip the cod fillets. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and pour in the fresh lemon juice. Spoon the buttery lemon sauce over the fillets as they finish cooking. The fish should flake easily with a fork when done.
- Combine and Serve (1 minute): Return the green beans to the pan, toss gently with the lemon butter sauce to warm through, and season everything to taste. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using, then serve immediately.
Notes
Pat dry the cod to ensure a good sear and prevent sticking. Use medium heat to avoid burning butter and garlic. Add lemon juice at the end to preserve brightness. Cook green beans first to have them tender-crisp when the cod finishes. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming the fish. For dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan buttery spread. Fresh lemon juice is preferred over bottled for best flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet with ap
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: lemon butter cod, quick dinner, easy fish recipe, green beans, weeknight meal, healthy dinner, 15-minute recipe