Description
This Cod with Shallot Butter Sauce is a simple yet elegant seafood recipe featuring tender oven baked cod topped with a rich butter sauce infused with shallots, fresh herbs, and bright lemon zest. The mild flaky fish absorbs the savory butter beautifully, creating a balanced dish that feels restaurant quality while remaining easy to prepare at home. Perfect for weeknight dinners or relaxed entertaining, this recipe highlights clean flavors and reliable technique for consistently moist cod.
Ingredients
Two cod fillets weighing six to eight ounces each
Olive oil for coating the baking dish
Fine sea salt to taste
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
One half cup unsalted butter cut into pieces
Two tablespoons finely minced shallots
One quarter cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Two tablespoons fresh lemon zest
Leaves from four fresh thyme sprigs
Two lemon halves for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to four hundred degrees Fahrenheit and allow it to fully heat
2. Lightly coat the bottom of an ovenproof baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking
3. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and black pepper
4. Place the cod fillets in the prepared dish with space between each piece
5. Bake the cod uncovered until opaque and flaky while still moist in the center
6. While the fish cooks melt the butter gently in a small saucepan over medium low heat
7. Add the minced shallots and cook slowly until softened and translucent without browning
8. Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in parsley lemon zest and thyme leaves
9. Let the butter sauce rest briefly so the flavors blend together
10. Remove the cod from the oven and allow it to rest for a short time
11. Spoon the warm shallot butter sauce generously over each fillet
12. Finish with additional seasoning if desired and serve with lemon halves
Notes
Use high quality cod for the best texture and flavor
Keep the butter heat low to prevent separation or browning
Shallots provide a milder sweeter flavor than onions and are ideal for this sauce
Always zest lemons before cutting them for easier handling
Letting the fish rest briefly after baking helps retain moisture
Flat leaf parsley offers better flavor than curly varieties
This sauce pairs well with neutral side dishes that absorb butter
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American