Keto Lemon Butter Cod with Crispy Capers

Keto Lemon Butter Cod with Crispy Capers is a bright, elegant low-carb dinner featuring tender flaky cod drenched in zesty lemon butter and topped with salty, crispy capers without the carbs. This Keto Lemon Butter Cod with Crispy Capers recipe delivers fast prep, clean ingredients, and restaurant-level flavor perfect for weeknight meals, weight loss, meal prep, and anyone craving a fresh, satisfying keto seafood dish that feels indulgent but stays fully low carb.

About This Recipe

If you ever wanted to make something that looks like fine dining but cooks faster than scrambled eggs, this keto lemon butter cod is it. It’s everything that makes simple food perfect — soft, flaky white fish, browned butter, a splash of lemon, and the salty crunch of fried capers. There’s no flour, no carbs, and no complicated steps — just real ingredients doing what they do best.

Cod is a mild, lean fish that takes on flavor easily, which makes it perfect for keto cooking. It doesn’t need breading or heavy sauces to be satisfying. Here, it’s pan-seared in butter until golden on the outside but tender in the center. Then you make a sauce right in the same pan — butter, garlic, lemon juice, and a handful of capers that fry until crisp and briny. The result? A dish that feels like coastal summer on a plate but fits neatly into your macros.

This recipe also nails one of the biggest challenges in keto meals: keeping them fresh. So many low-carb dishes lean heavy — creamy sauces, cheese, bacon, repeat. This one cuts through that monotony with brightness and acidity from the lemon. It resets your palate, balances the richness of butter, and gives your brain that “clean energy” feeling instead of the usual post-meal slump.

For many keto eaters in the U.S., “fish dinners” are trending again — particularly because they’re quick, high-protein, and naturally low in carbs without modification. Search trends like “keto cod,” “lemon butter fish,” and “low-carb seafood recipes” have all grown sharply since late 2024. That’s partly because fish feels lighter and easier to digest, but also because it’s hard to screw up once you learn the timing.

This lemon butter cod recipe is built for weekday meals but pretty enough for guests. You can serve it with zucchini noodles, cauliflower mash, or even a simple arugula salad. It’s the kind of food that looks like you spent an hour, but you’ll be sitting down to eat before Spotify finishes your playlist.

And yes, it’s foolproof. Even if you’ve burned fish before, this one works because the butter and lemon sauce keeps everything moist. The crispy capers are the secret weapon — tiny pops of salt and texture that make the dish addictive. You might find yourself eating them straight out of the pan before they hit the plate.

The best part? The sauce doubles as dressing. Spoon it over your side veggies or save it to drizzle on tomorrow’s lunch. It’s that perfect balance of luxury and practicality — exactly what good keto cooking should be.

Also Read: Thirty Birthday Cakes You Need to Try!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Done in 15 minutes
• Only 3 main ingredients (cod, butter, lemon)
• Bright, buttery flavor — not heavy
• Naturally low-carb and high-protein
• Great for meal prep or elegant dinners

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Ingredients

• 2 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp capers, drained
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• Juice and zest of ½ lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Prep: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
2. Crisp the capers: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the capers and fry for 2–3 minutes until crispy. Remove and set aside.
3. Sear the cod: Add butter and remaining oil to the same skillet. When hot, add cod fillets. Cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden and flaky. Remove fish and set aside.
4. Make the sauce: In the same pan, add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Pour in lemon juice and swirl to create a glossy sauce.
5. Combine: Return the cod to the skillet, spoon sauce over, and top with crispy capers and chopped parsley.
6. Serve: Plate immediately with extra lemon zest or a side of sautéed zucchini noodles.

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Nutrition (per serving)

• Calories: 420
• Fat: 32 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Net Carbs: 2 g

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FAQ

• Can I use another fish?
  Yes, halibut, haddock, or tilapia all work perfectly.
• What if I don’t have capers?
  Chopped olives give a similar salty bite.
• Can I make it dairy-free?
  Use ghee or coconut oil instead of butter.
• How do I know when the fish is done?
  It should flake easily with a fork and turn opaque all the way through.

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Variations & Substitutions

• Swap lemon for lime and add chili flakes for a spicy twist.
• Use browned butter for a nutty flavor.
• Add a tablespoon of white wine vinegar to the sauce for extra tang.
• Top with toasted almonds for crunch instead of capers.

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Serving Suggestions

• Serve with sautéed asparagus, zucchini ribbons, or cauliflower rice. Drizzle the extra lemon butter sauce over everything — it’s liquid gold.

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Did you make this recipe?

Let me know how it turned out! Snap a pic and tag @dailyketo.recipes on instagram – I’d love to see your version.

Try these next:

• Red blue berries and velvet cake
• Wholewheat Red Velvet cake – Vegan

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