Print

Lemon Butter Cod with Easy Crispy Green Beans

lemon butter cod - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and satisfying dinner featuring tender cod fillets in a buttery lemon sauce paired with crisp green beans. Perfect for busy weeknights or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz / 170 g each), fresh or thawed
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to season
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 large lemon (about 3 tablespoons)
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 lb (450 g) fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for green beans)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for green beans)

Instructions

  1. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper. Lightly dust each fillet with all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Mix well until smooth and set aside.
  3. Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the trimmed green beans and blanch them for 2-3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking and preserve color. Once cooled, drain again and pat dry.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the green beans, season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beans are crisp-tender with slight browning. Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon zest right before removing from heat. Transfer to a serving dish and keep warm.
  5. In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium-high heat. Carefully add the cod fillets. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on the first side without moving them to develop a golden crust. Flip the fillets gently and cook for another 3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Lower the heat to medium-low.
  6. Spoon the prepared lemon butter mixture over the cod fillets in the skillet. Allow it to melt and bubble gently for 1-2 minutes, spooning the sauce over the fish to coat.
  7. Plate the cod alongside the crisp green beans. Spoon any remaining lemon butter sauce from the pan over the top of the fish. Garnish with extra lemon wedges or fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

Keep heat moderate to avoid burning the butter. Pat cod dry before seasoning and flouring for best sear. Blanch green beans first to retain crispness. Cook cod in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding the pan. For dairy-free, substitute butter with neutral oil like avocado oil.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon butter cod, crispy green beans, quick dinner, easy fish recipe, healthy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/lemon-butter-cod-recipe-easy-crispy-green-beans-for-dinner/