Pan Seared Lingcod Recipe (2024)

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This Pan Seared Lingcod is lightly seasoned and then pan-seared and served with a squeeze of lemon. Serve with some sides and there you have a great meal that cooks up in minutes but presents like a restaurant-quality masterpiece! Perfect for those rainy days when you can’t get outside to grill!

Pan Seared Lingcod Recipe (1)

Pan-Seared Lingcod Recipe

If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and delicious meal for dinner tonight, my Pan Seared Ling Cod is the right option for you and your family.

This fleshy white fish is tender and flaky once it is cooked, and has a really mild flavor that everyone loves. Even if they aren’t the biggest fan of fish in general.

Lingcod is also great for fish and chips! This Panko-Breaded Lingcod is very popular, easy to make, and will have you skipping the takeout for fish and chips in the future.

Get all of our FISH RECIPES here!

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What is lingcod?

It isn’t cod, which surprised me.

Lingcod is a lean, saltwater fish that has a mild flavor with a hint of sweetness and a delicate, flaky texture. It is located on the West Coast of the United States from Alaska to California.

Perfect for pan searing, grilling, or deep frying, it absorbs flavors so well and you can make this popular fish in a whole host of different ways.

Lingcod isn’t typically available for purchase in stores, but you can use any firm white fish for this recipe if you don’t have any West Coast fishermen in your life.

Make sure when shopping for fish that you look for firm, clean fillets that don’t have spots or any fishy smell. Just take your time when selecting your fish and ask questions if needed. A good fishmonger is worth their weight in gold if you are a seafood lover.

Try our Walleye Recipe too!

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What kind of oil works best for pan searing?

It is totally up to you.

We used some butter and olive oil for this particular dish because we aren’t cooking at super high temperatures. For other items that might need a higher temperature, consider using oils with a higher smoke point, like avocado.

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What’s the best pan to use?

Use your favorite cast iron skillet or stainless steel are the best options to get that caramelized sear on your fillets.

Avoid non-stick for pan searing your fish, but if that’s all you have it will work, you just may not get the crispy color you’re looking for with pan searing.

Be careful though!

If you go non-non-stick make sure the pan you are using is REALLY well-seasoned. It would be better to use a non-stick pan than to use something and end up with your fish sticking to the pan.

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How to pan-sear fish

First, you will want to rinse your fish with cold water, pat it dry with a paper towel, and then season lightly.

Heat your butter/oil over medium heat. The temperature of the butter should reach around 300-325° degrees, for this recipe. Butter has a smoke point of just 350, meaning it will burn at temperatures beyond that, so don’t get it too hot!

Place your fillets gently into hot, melted butter, and allow to cook for about 4 minutes per side, or until your fish flakes easily with a fork.

Homemade Tartar Sauce Recipe

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What should you serve with this fish?

There are many foods that would work really well with fish. Here are some options for you to choose from, with the recipes right here on my site.

Pictured with the fish in this post is our Creamy Mushroom Risotto.

Appetizers to serve with lingcod:

  1. Shrimp Ceviche (my Traeger Grilled Shrimp version of this South American appetizer)
  2. Traeger Smoked Salmon (many varieties here!)
  3. Bacon Ranch Dip served with bread, crackers, or chips
  4. Whipped Cranberry Goat Cheese

Side dishes to serve with pan-seared cod

  1. Instant Pot Wild Rice
  2. Pan-Fried Potato Wedges
  3. Smoked Potatoes
  4. Broccoli Salad
  5. One-Pot Creamy Noodles
  6. Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
  7. Loaded Smoked Baked Potatoes
  8. BLT Pasta Salad

Delicious co*cktails to Serve With Lingcod:

  • Mudslide
  • Tropical Rum Punch
  • Raspberry Prosecco co*cktail
  • Strawberry Lemon Drop

Reader Reviews

Recipe turned out perfect! Will definitely make again! Thanks so much!

– J via Pinterest

Great recipe! Substituted vegan butter for actual butter and used smoked paprika and it turned out delicious!

Christiane via Pinterest

Best fish we have ever made! Came out restaurant quality!

Victoria via Pinterest
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Yield: 4 servings

Pan Seared Lingcod Recipe (8)

Lincod that is pan seared and well-seasoned and served over rice. Fresh, flaky, tender, and delicious.

Prep Time10 minutes

Cook Time12 minutes

Total Time22 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces cod filets (5-6 oz ea.)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 3 cloves garlic

Pan Sauce

  • 1 large lemon
  • 1 teaspoon chopped Italian parsley

Instructions

  1. Dry the fish with paper towels, and season with the salt, black pepper, onion powder, and paprika.
  2. Place the butter and olive oil in the pan over medium heat and let the butter melt and the oil heat up.
  3. Place the fish down in the pan along with the thyme and garlic, and let cook for 4-5 minutes, until it develops a golden-brown crust. Don't mess with it!
  4. Flip the fish and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes, until the other side is browned. The middle of the fish should be 145°. Make sure the garlic doesn't scorch.
  5. Remove the fish from the pan, tent with foil, and set aside.
  6. In the same pan, add in the juice from the lemon to deglaze the pan. Spoon the remaining sauce over the fish before serving.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 112Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 322mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 10g

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Nicole Johnson

Website

Nicole Johnson, a self-taught expert in grilling and outdoor cooking, launched Or Whatever You Do in 2010. Her blog, renowned for its comprehensive and creative outdoor cooking recipes, has garnered a vast audience of millions. Nicole's hands-on experience and passion for grilling shine through her work. Her husband, Jeremiah Johnson, also plays a pivotal role in recipe development, adding his culinary flair to the mix. Together, they form a dynamic duo, offering a rich and varied outdoor cooking experience to their followers.

Pan Seared Lingcod Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to cook ling fish? ›

Blanch in a pot of boiling water for 2 minutes, then drain and soak in a bowl of iced water to stop them cooking. Heat olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-low heat. Cook pink ling on both sides until cooked through.

What's the difference between cod and lingcod? ›

Lingcod aren't true cod, rather they are greenlings. Lingcod are voracious predators and will eat almost anything -including other lingcod that are about their same size. Lingcod live to 25 years. Lingcod usually stay in the same location for most of their lives – maybe the same rock pile – but can move long distances.

How many minutes to cook fish? ›

Cooking fish for 10 minutes per inch of thickness is an old rule of thumb that works perfectly when roasting fillets or steaks. It's just enough time to cook the flesh through so that it's opaque, but not so much that it flakes.

How long should fish be pan seared? ›

Turn the heat down to medium-high. Add several pats of unsalted butter. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then shake the pan to ensure the fish is not sticking. Flip the fish and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until the desired internal temperature is achieved.

What is the best oil for pan searing fish? ›

Best Oil to Fry Fish. Thanks to its neutral flavor, affordable price, and high smoke point, canola oil is the most popular oil for frying fish. Peanut, cottonseed, and coconut oil are also great fish frying oils. Keep reading to discover the benefits of each oil you can use to fry fish.

What is the best oil to sear fish in? ›

You want your fish to taste great with classic tartar sauce and sides for fried fish! So it's best to use a neutral oil, like canola, vegetable and safflower oil to fry fish. Peanut oil has a high smoke point, which is perfect for frying, but it could add a slightly nutty flavor to your fish.

How do you know when pan seared fish is done? ›

Insert the tines of a fork into the thickest portion of the fish at a 45-degree angle. Gently twist the fork and pull up some of the fish. If it flakes easily, without resistance, the fish is done and ready to eat.

Do you flip fish when pan searing? ›

How to Cook Fish in a Pan. Pat your piece of fish dry (this will result in crispier skin!) and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat, then cook the fish for 2 to 3 minutes (don't move it!). Flip and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more.

Is lingcod high in mercury? ›

Toxicity report. Mercury levels in lingcod are considered to be elevated, so moderate consumption is recommended.

What is the best cod fish in the world? ›

According to Berglund, the best cod in the world is the cod known as skrei – more on that below – which lives at the northern edge of the Barents Sea, almost closer to the North Pole than the northernmost tip of mainland Europe.

What makes lingcod meat blue? ›

This captivating hue is a natural phenomenon due to a pigment called biliverdin which can be found in the blood of some fish. While the raw Lingcod has this gorgeous blue hue, the moment it hits the pan or the grill, the blue hue vanishes, giving way to a pristine white delicacy.

Is Ling a good eating fish? ›

The common ling, or white ling, is a delicious fish and a member of the codfish family. Although it is relatively unknown and not widely used in everyday cooking, it has an excellent firm and textured meat with a pleasantly strong taste. Ling is firm, tender and moist, with great texture and large flakes.

Is Ling Cod good to eat? ›

Lingcod is very good eating. It's very comparable to halibut and cod - almost subtly balanced between the two. It's mild flavor lends itself well to a variety of recipes.

Is Ling Cod or halibut better? ›

The flavor of halibut is often described as mild and buttery. It is known for being versatile and pairs well with various seasonings and sauces. Halibut's subtle flavor makes it a popular choice for those who prefer a milder taste in seafood. Cod has a mild and slightly stronger flavor compared to halibut.

What is another name for a ling fish? ›

Ling, Cabio, Lemonfish, Cubby Yew, Black kingfish, Black salmon, Crabeater, and Sergeant fish to name a few. The Cajun name for the fish is Limon – possibly where the name Lemonfish came from.

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