Description
Tender, flaky, and rich in flavor, Butter Poached Cod is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to prepare fresh fish at home.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds cod, cut into 4 even pieces (can substitute halibut, haddock, or sea bass)
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (optional, adds a gentle heat)
- Basil oil, for garnish (optional)
For the Clarified Butter:
- 6 sticks (1 1/2 pounds) unsalted butter (or substitute 1 1/2 cups ghee)
Instructions
- Make the clarified butter: Add the 6 sticks of unsalted butter to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, until fully melted. Allow it to gently simmer—foam will rise to the top. Skim off the foam using a spoon. Continue to simmer for about 15–20 minutes, until the milk solids sink to the bottom and the liquid becomes golden and clear. Carefully pour the clarified butter through a mesh strainer or cheese cloth into a clean jar or container, leaving the solids behind. You should have about 1 1/2 cups of clarified butter.
- Season the cod on both sides with salt and black pepper.
- Add the clarified butter to a large, shallow pan or skillet, enough to fully cover the bottom of the pan and partially submerge the cod fillets.
- Stir in the crushed red pepper.
- Heat the butter over medium to medium-low heat—you want the butter to be warm, but not bubbling vigorously.
- Place the cod fillets into the butter. Allow them to gently poach for 8–12 minutes, depending on thickness. Spoon the warm butter over the top of the cod as it cooks.
- The cod is done when it is opaque, tender, and flakes easily with a fork.
- Carefully remove the cod with a slotted spatula.
- Serve warm with a drizzle of the poaching butter spooned over the top, and/or basil oil.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- You can make clarified butter up to a week in advance and store it in the fridge.
- Ghee is a perfect substitute for clarified butter and is shelf-stable.
- Be sure to cook the cod over medium to medium-low heat to gently poach—do not let the butter bubble aggressively.
- The cod should be just cooked through and flake easily when done.
- Leftover clarified butter can be strained and reused to poach more seafood such as shrimp, scallops, or lobster.
- Cod can be swapped with other firm white fish such as halibut, haddock, sea bass, or snapper.
- For a mild version, omit the crushed red pepper.
- Serve with rice, mashed potatoes, or your favorite roasted vegetables.
- This recipe is naturally low-carb and keto-friendly.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Clarified Butter: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Fish and Seafood