Description

This Pan-Seared Cod with a Caper, Parsley, and Lemon Sauce is a quick, flavorful, and elegant seafood dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The light, flaky cod gets a beautiful golden crust, while the tangy lemon-caper sauce adds brightness and depth. Whether you’re making a weeknight dinner or hosting a special meal, this dish is sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cod:

1 ½ lb thick-cut cod fillet, cut into 4–5 pieces
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for the fish)
2–3 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp unsalted butter
5 medium cloves garlic, chopped
2 tbsp capers
½ cup dry vermouth or dry white wine
½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for the sauce)

For the Seasoned Flour:

½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 dash cayenne powder
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp fresh ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Cod

Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels.
Drizzle 1 tbsp of lemon juice over the fillets and let them rest for 5 minutes.

2. Make the Seasoned Flour

In a shallow dish, combine flour, cumin, paprika, cayenne, thyme, salt, and black pepper.
Lightly coat each cod fillet in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

3. Pan-Sear the Cod

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the cod fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy.
Remove the fish from the skillet and set aside.

4. Make the Lemon-Caper Sauce

Reduce the heat to medium and add butter and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds.
Stir in capers and white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
Add the remaining 3 tbsp of lemon juice and let the sauce simmer for 2 minutes.
Stir in fresh parsley, then remove from heat.

5. Assemble and Serve

Spoon the lemon-caper sauce over the seared cod fillets.
Garnish with extra parsley and lemon slices.
Serve immediately with roasted vegetables, rice, or salad.

Notes

For extra crispiness, let the coated cod fillets rest for 5 minutes before pan-searing.
If using frozen cod, make sure it’s completely thawed and patted dry.
Substitutions: Replace white wine with chicken broth if preferred.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Dish
Method: Pan-Searing
Cuisine: Mediterranean