If you're looking for a fast, flavorful dinner that feels a little fancy but takes less than 30 minutes — this one’s for you.

This One-Pan Cajun Butter Cod is light, flaky, and loaded with bold flavor thanks to a homemade Cajun seasoning and a swirl of garlic butter.
It’s one of those recipes that tastes like it took way more effort than it did… and it all comes together in just one pan!

Whether you're cooking for your family or just yourself, this is a simple, satisfying seafood dish you’ll want on repeat.

Ingredients:

• 1½ lbs cod fillets (fresh or thawed if frozen)

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp butter (or dairy-free alternative)

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• ½ tsp oregano

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

• Salt and black pepper to taste

• Juice of ½ lemon

• Optional: chopped parsley or green onion for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prep the cod
   Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.

2. Make the Cajun butter
   In a small bowl, combine paprika, onion powder, thyme, oregano, and cayenne. Set aside.

3. Sear the cod
   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cod fillets and cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until golden and nearly cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.

4. Build the sauce
   In the same skillet, reduce heat to low and add butter and garlic. Stir until fragrant (about 30 seconds), then stir in the Cajun spice mix and lemon juice.

5. Return the cod to the pan
   Nestle the fillets back into the skillet, spooning the sauce over the top. Cover and cook another 2–3 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

6. Serve warm
   Garnish with parsley or green onions and serve with rice, roasted veggies, or a simple salad.

Sarah’s Tips:

• Make it dairy-free: Use vegan butter or more olive oil.

• Not a fan of spice? Omit the cayenne or reduce to a pinch.

• Want more veggies? Toss in cherry tomatoes or spinach during the last few minutes.

• Meal prep friendly: Cook cod and serve over quinoa or cauliflower rice for easy lunches.

Flavorful Conclusion:

This One-Pan Cajun Butter Cod is bold, buttery, and packed with flavor — without any fuss. It’s the kind of weeknight meal that feels restaurant-worthy, but you can whip it up in under half an hour. Clean ingredients, easy cleanup, and a dinner everyone will love.

Nutrition (per serving, serves 4):

• Calories: 320

• Protein: 34g

• Carbs: 4g

• Fat: 18g

• Fiber: 1g

• Sugar: 1g