Pan-Seared Cod with Savory Brown Sauce

Name: Pan-Seared Cod with Savory Brown Sauce
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 fillets (about 150g each) cod fillets; ½ teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper; ½ teaspoon salt; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 small, julienned red bell pepper; 1 cup mixed salad greens; ½ medium, thinly sliced white onion; 1 inch, minced fresh ginger; 2 tablespoons light soy sauce; 1 tablespoon oyster sauce; ½ teaspoon sugar; ¼ cup water

Tender cod fillets pan-seared until golden, then finished with a rich, savory sauce. This elegant yet simple dish comes together in under 30 minutes, perfect for a weeknight dinner or special occasion.

30 min

Medium

0 favorites

Story

A restaurant-quality cod dish you can easily make at home. The key is patting the fish completely dry and cooking it on medium-low heat to achieve a beautiful golden crust without overcooking.

Ingredients

cod fillets 2 fillets (about 150g each)

black pepper ½ teaspoon, freshly ground

salt ½ teaspoon

vegetable oil 2 tablespoons

red bell pepper 1 small, julienned

mixed salad greens 1 cup

white onion ½ medium, thinly sliced

fresh ginger 1 inch, minced

light soy sauce 2 tablespoons

oyster sauce 1 tablespoon

sugar ½ teaspoon

water ¼ cup

Instructions

Season and rest the fish

Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let the fish sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to absorb the flavors.

Prepare the sauce

In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, and water until the sugar dissolves. Set this aside near the stove.

Sauté aromatics

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a wide skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and minced ginger. Sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened. Remove and spread on a serving plate.

Sear the cod

Add the remaining oil to the same pan. Carefully place the cod fillets skin-side down. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the bottom is golden and crisp. Flip gently and cook another 2 minutes. The fish should be just opaque in the center. Transfer to the plate with aromatics.

Finish with sauce and serve

Pour the prepared sauce into the hot pan, letting it bubble for 30 seconds. Spoon the sauce generously over the cod. Arrange the julienned red bell pepper and salad greens alongside. Serve immediately while hot.