Garlic Butter Cod Strips with Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

why make this recipe

This dish cooks fast and tastes bright. The garlic butter keeps the cod rich and soft. The sweet chili lime sauce adds a little sweet and a little tang. It works for weeknights and small dinners.

introduction

This recipe uses simple steps and few ingredients. You can make it in about 15 minutes. If you want a similar write-up and notes, see the full Garlic Butter Cod Strips recipe page for more tips.

how to make Garlic Butter Cod Strips with Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

Pat the cod dry so it browns well. Season the strips with salt, pepper, and paprika, then squeeze lime juice over them. Heat olive oil and butter in a pan. Add minced garlic and cook until you smell it, about 30 seconds. Add the cod strips and cook 2–3 minutes per side until they are golden and flake easily. Remove the fish from the pan and keep the garlic butter in the pan to spoon over later. Mix the sweet chili sauce with lime juice, honey, soy or fish sauce, and grated garlic or ginger in a small bowl. Drizzle the sauce over the cod or serve it on the side. Spoon the extra garlic butter from the pan on top.

For another simple garlic butter seafood idea, try the crispy lobster bites with garlic butter sauce.

Ingredients :

• 500 g cod fillets, cut into strips
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• 1 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce (optional)
• 1 tsp finely grated garlic or ginger (optional)

Directions :

1. Pat cod dry. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and lime juice.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. Add cod strips and cook 2–3 minutes per side until golden and flaky. Remove from heat.
4. In a small bowl, mix sweet chili sauce, lime juice, honey, soy/fish sauce, and garlic or ginger.
5. Drizzle sauce over the cod or serve on the side. Spoon extra garlic butter from the pan on top.

how to serve Garlic Butter Cod Strips with Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

Serve the cod warm. Place over rice, noodles, or a simple salad. Spoon sauce on top or put it in a small bowl for dipping. Add lime wedges for extra tang. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onion if you like.

how to store Garlic Butter Cod Strips with Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

Cool the cooked cod to room temperature within two hours. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a pan on low heat. The sauce keeps separately in the fridge for 3–4 days.

tips to make Garlic Butter Cod Strips with Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

• Pat the fish dry to get a good sear.
• Use medium heat so butter does not burn.
• Do not overcook; cod flakes easily when done.
• Taste the sauce and adjust lime or honey to balance sweet and sour.
• If using soy or fish sauce, add just a little to avoid too much salt.

variation (if any)

• Use tilapia, haddock, or salmon instead of cod.
• Add chili flakes to the garlic butter for heat.
• Make the sauce spicier with extra chilies or milder with more honey.
• Bake the strips at 200°C (400°F) for 8–10 minutes instead of pan-frying.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen cod?
A: Yes. Thaw fully and pat dry before cooking.

Q: Is sweet chili sauce very spicy?
A: It is mildly spicy and mostly sweet. Adjust with chili flakes if you want more heat.

Q: Can I skip the butter?
A: You can use more olive oil, but butter adds flavor and a rich finish.

Q: How do I know when the fish is done?
A: The fish flakes with a fork and is opaque all the way through.

Q: Can I make the sauce ahead?
A: Yes. Make and store the sauce in the fridge up to 3–4 days.

Conclusion

For a quick, tasty guide and another version of this recipe, see the detailed write-up at Garlic Butter Cod Strips With Sweet Chili Lime Sauce | Quick & Zesty.

Garlic Butter Cod Strips with Sweet Chili Lime Sauce

This dish cooks fast and tastes bright, featuring rich cod strips coated in garlic butter and complemented by a sweet chili lime sauce.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Main ingredients

• 500 g cod fillets, cut into strips
• 3 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 Juice of 1/2 lime lime juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Sweet chili lime sauce

• 4 tbsp sweet chili sauce
• 1 Juice of 1 lime lime juice
• 1 tsp honey (optional)
• 1 tsp soy sauce or fish sauce (optional)
• 1 tsp finely grated garlic or ginger (optional)

Method

 

Preparation

1. Pat cod dry and season with salt, pepper, paprika, and lime juice.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Cooking

1. Add cod strips and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and flaky. Remove from heat.
2. In a small bowl, mix sweet chili sauce, lime juice, honey, soy/fish sauce, and garlic or ginger.
3. Drizzle sauce over the cod or serve on the side. Spoon extra garlic butter from the pan on top.

Notes

Serve the cod warm over rice, noodles, or a simple salad. Add lime wedges for extra tang and garnish with chopped parsley or green onion if you like. Store cooked cod in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently.