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This pan-seared cod with bourbon features flaky white cod topped with a sweet bourbon sauce. And it’s ready in about 15 minutes!
Years ago, long before I happily devoured seafood day after day, I ordered a bourbon-glazed fish at a restaurant… and was AMAZED.
That happy day, I discovered that bourbon and seafood are a fantabulously delicious combination, and I wanted more!
This Kentucky Bourbon Pan-Seared Cod is perfect for a fancy-schmancy date night and bourbon-filled Derby Day parties, but is so quick, easy, and delicious that you could make it for a weeknight dinner too!
Is All Cod Sustainably Sourced?
No.
When I originally published this post in 2017, I recommended purchasing wild Alaska cod.
Since then, Alaska cod is becoming scarce (due to climate change), to the point that the Alaska Cod Fishery officially closed the 2020 season. If you want to eat cod, look the Marine Steward Councilship label.
If, however, you notice the price of cod rising, that it’s becoming harder to find, or you simply want to look for a more sustainable option, try swapping the cod in this recipe for halibut or salmon.
You can simply swap the fish and use this recipe, or try these similar recipes: pan-seared halibut with bourbon and bourbon salmon with pecans.
How to Make a Gastrique Sauce to go with Pan-Seared Cod
For this decadent Kentucky Bourbon Pan-Seared Cod, you’re going to need bourbon, honey, balsamic vinegar, a little butter and olive oil, and a few fresh herbs.
Oh, and cod. Don’t forget the cod!
Fist, gather all the ingredients for your “gastrique.”
Gastrique is a French word that means… ‘extra super-duper-fancy-pants sauce,’ — I believe that’s a direct translation.
Don’t quote me.
Combine the bourbon and balsamic, and set it aside (but within arm’s reach).
Pour the honey into a small saucepan over medium heat, and it should start bubbling within 1-2 minutes. Once the bubbles start, stir it with a wooden spoon until the honey turns a dark amber color.
As soon as– and I do mean AS SOON AS– the honey darkens, grab the bourbon-balsamic mixture and, standing as far back from the pan as possible to avoid getting splashed, pour the mixture in.
Continue stirring for another couple of minutes, until the sauce starts to thicken.
Does it Matter What Kind of Pan I Use?
Ideally, use a heavy pan to pan-sear.
A heavy pan will help evenly distribute the heat.
My favorite pan is the Lodge 10″ cast iron skillet when cooking for two, or the Lodge 12″ cast iron skillet when cooking for four or five.
Make Pan-Seared Cod
Since cod takes a little longer to sear than a thinner fish would, I like to use both butter and olive oil when I’m searing it.
That way, the butter doesn’t brown as quickly and the oil doesn’t start smoking. Heat your butter and oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium-high heat.
Once the pan is hot, add the fish, and leave it alone! Let it cook for about four minutes, and then flip and let it finish cooking!
Need more help? Check out this tutorial on How to Pan-Sear Fish.
Drizzle the seared cod with your bourbon gastrique, and top everything off with some fresh herbs.
Serve it right away, and savor each bite of this decadently rich fish dinner!
Want more BOURBON recipe ideas? Try these:
- Bourbon Salmon with Pecans
- Pan-Seared Halibut with Kentucky Bourbon
- Kentucky Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
Pan-Seared Cod with Kentucky Bourbon
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Ingredients
- 2 cod fillets (~4 oz each)
- 1 TB butter
- 1/2 TB olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup honey OR sorghum syrup
- diced green onion, parsley, and or basil to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Pat cod dry, and then pat it dry again. Allow it to come to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, pour balsamic vinegar and bourbon together and set aside. Keep the balsamic-bourbon mixture within arm’s reach, so that you can grab it quickly when the honey is ready.
- Pour honey into a small, heavy bottom pot and turn heat to medium. In about 1-2 minutes, the honey should start to bubble. Stir it with a wooden spoon until the honey darkens in color and turns amber (about 3 more minutes). (*Note- The caramelizing honey will be EXTREMELY hot. Do not touch it or attempt to taste it at this point.)
- Carefully, standing back from the pot in case of splash-back, pour the balsamic and bourbon mixture into the pot with the honey. Stir, and cook for 1-2 more minutes. Take sauce off the heat, and set aside. (*Note- If the sauce cools and thickens too much while the fish is cooking, simply set it back on the heat for about a minute, or until it heats up again.)
- Heat butter and olive oil in a heavy bottom pan over medium-high heat.
- Salt both sides of the cod.
- Set cod in hot pan, and DO NOT TOUCH IT. Set a timer for 4 minutes, and don’t touch the cod until the timer goes off. (If your butter smokes a little, lower the heat slightly.)
- Next, use a thin metal spatula to flip the cod. If it sticks to the pan, wait another 30 seconds. The fish will release when it’s done cooking. Cook for another 4 minutes, and transfer to plates.
- Serve fish immediately with bourbon sauce, along with fresh herbs (optional).
Ooo, never thought of adding a bourbon flavor to cod, but this sounds absolutely delicious!
It’s soooo good this way!!!
This recipe looks sooo good! I love cod. It’s such a beautifully flaky fish. And that bourbon sauce looks amazing! Great tips on choosing high quality fish too.
Thanks Alyssa! And yes, try their fish! They’re my fav 😀
I love the idea of making fish with a bourbon glaze! I’m always looking for new seafood ideas 😀
Oh wow! I’ve never had cod with bourbon before. I mean, I’ve had bourbon, I’ve had cod, but not together! This looks so good. That glaze? Um, yes please!
Yay! Enjoy 🙂
That Kentucky Bourbon sauce looks amazing!!! Drizzled on top of that beautiful sear-so much drooling going on right now! It is so hard to be patient and wait for the right time to flip the fish. I think I’ve finally gotten it down but still, I sometimes feel like I have to sit on my hands in order to not flip too soon.
lol yes! And if you flip too soon, sometimes it doesn’t sear as prettily! Just walk away and let it cook haha 😀
Can I use molasses instead of sorghum?
I haven’t tried it with molasses, but I THINK it would be fine! Since molasses isn’t quite as sweet as sorghum, I’d expect it to be a little less sweet overall (but that could be really good!). Let me know how it turns out if you try it! I don’t have any molasses on hand or I’d do it myself (it sounds yummy!)
I have gobs of molasses so, I had to ask! I will definitely let you know!
Awesome yes! I have so much sorghum that I haven’t picked up any molasses recently ????
You are so right that using the best fish is so important. I’ve even had substandard fish from places that say it’s fresh. Being land locked I buy more frozen and read the labels where it was farmed. I love the bourbon glaze that you put on this beautiful fish. We will definitely be trying it.
Wow! I have fish in the freezer and bourbon in the cupboard so I’m trying this one tonight!
Nice! Let me know how you like it!
We eat fish at least three times per week and cod is usually on our menu. I feel fortunate to have a reputable fish monger about 2 miles from my house (they’re not cheap, but they’re good) and I’m there often enough that I get the “friends and family” discount LOL! Next time I’m in, I’ll pick up some cod for this recipe. We love cooking with bourbon here, too — I make a bourbon glazed salmon that everyone loves. I wish you lived closer, we could taste test each other’s recipes!
Aw man I’d totally go fish shopping with you too!! We could be fish friends lololol. Let me know how you like it!!
I have cooked a lot of seafood over the years, but I have yet to use bourbon (or any whiskey for that matter) as a flavour. Gotta say, I’m very impressed, and very curious. Cod is such a lovely fish, and it’s neutral enough to do so many things with, so I’m sure that this is absolutely incredible. As always, I appreciate your passion for sustainable and transparent seafood. I’m not sure if Orca Bay sells here in Canada (I’m sooooo close to Washington anyway), but I like their commitment to the same principles. Cheers.
I’m not positive if they ship to Canada or not!!! But they’re located in Seattle, so you’re super close to them!!!! Let me know if you give this a try!
Thank you so much for the information. When we eat fish or any seafood, for that matter, we want to know the source of it. I totally agree that it tastes much better. It’s more expensive, this way, we eat less meat and fish for dinner, and we focus on quality.
That’s an awesome strategy- you’re right it can be a little pricier this way (but not too bad!!)
Yum. I love Cod fish. I love Bourbon so this recipe looks perfect. Perfect and delicious! And yes, I agree about needing to source your fish to get the best fish available.
You had me at Kentucky bourbon! This is just the recipe I’m craving. Can’t wait to try this out with the family tomorrow, yum!
This sauce is amazing wanted to lick it off the plate. Awesome easy recipe had it will simply sautéed green bean. Thinking asparagus next time.
Aw thank you Sophie!!! I’m glad you loved it!
This dish is truly palatable and my mouth is watering right now! Can I use maple syrup instead of honey?
Thanks Agness! You sure can!
What alcohol can I substitute for bourbon?
You could use any unflavored whiskey! I hope that helps!
Delicious
Yummy!
Yay! I’m glad you loved it 🙂
The sauce = I need to make a tub of it. Amazing. Simple. Fast. Must make!!!
Yay! It’s one of my favorites too, I’m so glad you loved it!
This looks delicious!! Will be making Wednesday night. My husband is an Alaskan cod fisherman. We have a freezer full of cod fillets and ALWAYS looking for new recipes. What sides do you recommend serving with this dish? Also if you’re ever looking for amazing cod. Alaskan Leader is sold at Costco and Safeway!
Hi Amanda! I’d probably serve it with my goat cheese mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus 🙂 (or another starch and veggie)
Let me know when you try it! And thanks for the recommendation 😀