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Home » Recipes » Main Dish

Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce

By Lauren | Updated: Jan 9, 2024 | Published: Sep 28, 2023 | Leave a Comment

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Pan-seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce makes for a quick Mediterranean-style dinner with minimal prep.

Pan sear the cod, then make a sauce from sautéing garlic and shallots, adding in white wine, cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. It all comes together quickly for a delicious meal with whole ingredients.

The pan seared cod in a white wine tomato basil sauce in a sauté pan.

This is a dish we have been making more and more lately when I crave a Mediterranean-style dinner, particularly a saucy tomato one. We typically have this with a salad and serve it over short-grain brown rice for a little more heft.

🛒 Ingredients

Below are the ingredients needed to make Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce.

The ingredients needed to make Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce.
  • Cod: Choose thicker (1 inch) pieces if possible.
  • Salt: For seasoning the cod and drawing out excess water.
  • Extra Virgin Avocado Oil or Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin avocado oil has a slightly higher smoke point than extra virgin olive oil, but I have used extra virgin olive oil with success in this recipe.
  • Butter: I use salted butter.
  • Garlic and Shallot: Add flavor to the sauce, mince small so it disappears into the sauce.
  • White Wine: Select a dry white wine that you like to drink. I use a dry Portuguese wine because it's not too expensive and I like how it tastes.
  • Cherry Tomatoes: This sauce is great with cherry tomatoes. They are sweeter and lighter tasting. The most flavorful store-bought cherry tomatoes that I've found are sold under the brand name Hiiros at Costco and Whole Foods
  • Fresh Basil: Fresh basil is preferable, but you can use dried basil (1 tsp) in a pinch.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce

Below are the step-by-step instructions for how to make Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce.

Note: The recipe card with instructions, ingredient list, and quantities is included further below these step-by-step photos.

The cod being seared in a stainless steel pan and the cod removed from the pan with the seared side up on a plate.

Step 1. Prep and Sear the Cod: Cut the cod into 3- to 5-inch-long pieces. Rinse and pat dry. Season with salt on both sides and place in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour to draw out excess moisture. Remove from the fridge and pat dry again. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.

Bring a large stainless steel sauté pan to medium-high heat. Add 2-3 tablespoons avocado or olive oil. Place the cod in the pan with the side that had the skin down. Let sit undisturbed for 5 minutes until a nice golden brown crust has formed.

When ready, the fish should release from the pan on its own without too much fighting with a spatula. Use a thin metal spatula to gently release the cod from the pan. It's okay if it sticks in one or two places. Turn the temperature down to low.

Add the butter and use a large spoon to baste the fish, scooping up the melted butter and oil and spooning it over the top of the fish to allow the top of the fish to finish cooking, about 1-2 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. Remove the fish to a plate with the crispy pan seared side facing up.

A large sauté pan with the shallot and garlic and the pan after the white wine has been added.

Step 2. Shallot and Garlic: Bring the pan to just under medium heat (a setting of "4" out of "10"). Add another 1-2 tablespoons of oil and the shallot and sauté, stirring occasionally for 1-2 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

Step 3. White Wine: Add the white wine and allow to simmer for 5 minutes or until it no longer smells of wine.

The tomatoes added to the sauté pan and the tomatoes after they have cooked for 10 minutes with the basil added and the completed dish with the pan seared cod added.

Step 4. Add the Tomatoes: Add the tomatoes, stir, and cover for 10 minutes.

Step 5. Add the Basil: Remove the lid and add the basil and additional salt to taste. Stir and allow the sauce to reduce slightly, up to 5 minutes.

Step 6. Add the Cod: Place the cod, crispy side up in the sauce, and let it warm through, 1-2 minutes. Serve over brown rice, pasta, or on its own.

Tips for Pan Searing Cod

Cod is a versatile, flaky, and mild-tasting white fish. It works well in lots of dishes.

Cod can be tricky to pan-sear. It cooks quickly, and because it's flaky, it can start to fall apart easily.

  • Thick Pieces: Choose 1-inch thick pieces. If you have thinner pieces, that’s fine too. Just reduce the cooking time to 1-2 minutes per side.
  • Season with Salt: Season with salt, let sit for 30 minutes - 1 hour, then pat dry.
  • High Heat: Pan sear at high heat, which helps keep the fish together under the thin crust.
  • Sear the Side that Had the Skin Down: Sear by placing the side down that used to have the skin on it first. Wait until it's brown and crispy (i.e. don’t touch it at all while you’re waiting). The fish will release from the pan on its own (mostly) when it is ready, about 5 minutes. Its okay if it sticks in a few small spots.
  • Stainless Steel Pan: Use a stainless steel pan rather than non-stick which will not hold up to high heat.
  • Sear on One Side Only: Do not flip, but baste the tops of the fish with the hot oil and added butter.
  • Fully Thaw If Using Frozen: If using frozen cod, place the frozen cod in the fridge overnight to defrost. Do not cook from frozen. Ensure that the cod is completely defrosted before cooking. Otherwise, it will cook unevenly and may be undercooked in the middle or overcooked on the outside.

What to Serve with Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce

  • Salad: Break up your dinner into two courses. Serve a simple green salad first, if you have the time and capacity. This can be as simple as some spinach, nuts, and cranberries, or a little more interesting like this Spanish Salad.
  • Brown Rice: Make short-grain brown rice to go with the main course. The short grain more closely mimics the feel of pasta (though pasta is fine too) and goes well with this tomato sauce. It helps to make it a more filling dish.
The crispy pan seared cod in the sauté pan with the tomato basil sauce.

💖 For Other Dinner Recipes, You May Love These:

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  • A bowl filled with Wagyu meatballs in a tomato marinara sauce sprinkled with grated parmesan cheese and parsley.
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If you tried this Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I'd love to hear from you!

Pan Seared Cod in a White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce

Cod is seared, then served in a white wine tomato basil sauce for a quick Mediterranean style dinner with minimal prep.
4 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 30 minutes mins
Total Time 40 minutes mins
Author Lauren Skardal
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 311 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1-1½ lb cod, 1-inch thick pieces
  • salt for seasoning
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin avocado or olive oil + extra as needed
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 shallot minced
  • ½ cup dry white wine
  • 1½ lbs cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
  • 2 tablespoon minced basil
  • short grain brown rice for serving

Instructions
 

  • Rinse the cod and pat dry with a paper towel. Cut into large 3-5 inch length pieces, depending on how much room you have in your pan. Season with salt to remove excess moisture and set aside in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
    Remove, pat dry, and let rest for 10-15 minutes to bring to room temperature.
  • Bring a large sauté pan to medium-high heat (a setting of "7" out of "10"). Add the avocado or olive oil. Once hot, add the cod, placing the side that had the skin down in the pan. Cook for 5 minutes undisturbed until brown and crispy.
    The fish should release from the pan on its own with only gentle nudging with a thin metal spatula.
    Turn the temperature down to low and add the butter. Tilt the pan at an angle and scoop up the butter and oil. Spoon it over the tops of the fish to help cook the remaining upper portion of the fish (basting).
    Do not overcrowd the pan. Cook in batches if necessary. Crowding the pan will lead to steamed cod, rather than pan seared crispy cod.
  • Remove the cod and set aside with the pan seared side up to keep it crispy.
  • Bring the pan to just below medium heat. Add another tablespoon of avocado or olive oil and the shallot. Sauté for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.
  • Add the white wine and allow to simmer and cook off for about 5 minutes.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes and toss to coat. Cover and let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes until the tomatoes soften and begin to release their juices. Remove the lid, add the basil, and stir. Let the sauce simmer and reduce for up to 5 minutes.
  • Add the cod back to the pan with the crispy seared side facing up and allow to warm through for 1 minute. Serve over brown rice.

Notes

Cod can be tricky to pan-sear. It cooks quickly, and because it's flaky, it can start to fall apart easily. Don't worry if it does, it will still taste great!
  • Thick Pieces: Choose 1-inch thick pieces. If you have thinner pieces, that’s fine too. Just reduce the cooking time to 1-2 minutes per side.
  • Season with Salt: Season with salt, let sit for 30 minutes - 1 hour, then pat dry.
  • High Heat: Pan sear at high heat, which helps keep the fish together under the thin crust.
  • Sear the Side that Had the Skin Down: Sear by placing the side down that used to have the skin on it first. Wait until it's brown and crispy (i.e. don’t touch it at all while you’re waiting). The fish will release from the pan on its own (or mostly on its own) when it is ready, about 5 minutes. Don't worry if it sticks in a few spots.
  • Stainless Steel Pan: Use a stainless steel pan rather than non-stick which will not hold up to high heat.
  • Sear on One Side Only: Do not flip, but baste the tops of the fish with the hot oil and added butter.
  • Fully Thaw If Using Frozen: If using frozen cod, place the frozen cod in the fridge overnight to defrost. Do not cook from frozen. Ensure that the cod is completely defrosted before cooking. Otherwise, it will cook unevenly and may be undercooked in the middle or overcooked on the outside.

Nutrition

Calories: 311kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 1109mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1128IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg
Have you tried this recipe? Leave a comment below and share a photo on instagram and tag @elleandpear or #elleandpear. I'd absolutely love to hear from you and see what you're making!

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Lauren sitting at table in Tuscany with a glass of wine, charcuterie and rolling green hills and winery in the background.

I'm Lauren, I've worked in Finance, earned an MBA, and lived and traveled throughout Europe and the US. I love to cook and bake, and bring our family together around the table. Recipes shared here are real family recipes with real fresh ingredients inspired by our travels.

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