Easy Broiled Cod With Brown Butter Lemon

Name: Easy Broiled Cod With Brown Butter Lemon
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (6 oz) cod fillet; 1 tsp cooking oil; salt, to taste; 2 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 lemon wedge

This broiled cod is finished on the stovetop with brown butter and lemon, delivering flaky, tender fish without the need to flip. A simple, stress-free method that takes minimal time and delivers restaurant-quality results.

🌍American 🏷️Broiled fish 🏷️Cod 🏷️Brown butter 🏷️Beurre noisette Easy recipe

🏷️

🏷️Quick dinner

-0:00

thatdudecancookonTikTok

Total

10 min

Servings

1

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$13–$21

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by thatdudecancook

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thatdudecancookonTikTok

Ingredients

1 (6 oz) cod fillet
1 tsp cooking oil
salt, to taste
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 lemon wedge

5 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Place the fish fillet in an oven-safe pan. Drizzle with oil on both sides and season generously with salt.
2
Place the pan in the oven on a rack about 6 inches away from a high-heat broiler.
3
Broil for about 5 minutes, or until the fish just starts to flake.
4
Carefully remove the pan from the oven and place it on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
5
Add the butter to the pan. Allow it to melt and cook for about a minute, swirling the pan, until it starts to foam and turn golden brown.
6
Begin basting the fish by spooning the hot brown butter over the top for about a minute to finish cooking.
7
Squeeze the lemon wedge over the fish and baste a few more times. Turn off the heat.
8
Serve immediately, spooning the remaining brown butter sauce from the pan over the fish.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Watch the broiler closely—cod cooks quickly and can dry out. Aim for opaque flesh that flakes gently; 6–8 minutes is typical for a 6 oz fillet.
Brown the butter over medium heat, swirling occasionally, until it turns golden and smells nutty. Don't let it burn—this is the signature flavor.
Oil the broiler pan or use foil to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish just before serving to brighten the brown butter sauce.

Substitutions

Cod → Halibut, sea bass, haddock, or flounder (adjust timing for thickness)
Unsalted butter → Ghee or clarified butter (same browning effect, slightly different flavor)
Lemon → Lime or fresh herbs like dill or tarragon added to the brown butter

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftover broiled cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a low oven or on the stovetop; do not reheat the brown butter sauce, prepare fresh instead.

Equipment

broiler · broiler pan or baking sheet

Common Questions

Do I need to flip the cod while broiling?

No. The recipe is designed so you broil the fillet once, then finish it with the brown butter sauce on the stovetop—no flipping required.

How do I know when the cod is done?

Cod is done when the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Broil until it reaches this point, typically 6–8 minutes depending on fillet thickness.