Mediterranean pan-grilled cod recipe with lemon basil sauce. Serve it with your favorite sides, or try it gyro-style wrapped in warm pita with Mediterranean favorites like tzatziki, olives and more!
In a small bowl, combine the spices to make the spice rub
Pat fish fillets dry and season well on both sides with kosher salt and black pepper, then rub all over with the spice rub. Set aside for now.
Prepare the lemon basil sauce. Simply combine all the ingredients for the sauce in a small bowl or mason jar. Whisk well together. Set aside.
If serving this grilled fish gyro-style, prepare the pita etc. Prepare Tzatziki sauce according to this recipe, and prepare the Mediterranean salad according to this recipe. Set aside for now.
Coat the bottom of a large cast iron skillet (or a non-stick skillet) with extra virgin olive oil. Warm skillet over medium-high heat until the oil is just shimmering but not smoking.
Add fish fillets and grill on one side for about 3 minutes or so without moving it (the underside should look golden and crispy). Then, using a fish spatula, turn it over to the other side (it should release easily from the pan). Grill for another 3 minutes or until this side turns nice and crispy as well. (You'll know your fish is ready when it turns opaque all the way through and flake apart easily.)
Serve fish hot. Add a splash of fresh lemon juice on top and a generous drizzle of the lemon basil sauce.
To assemble grilled fish gyros, use 1 pita wrap (or large lettuce leaf) per person. Swipe a bit of tzatziki sauce over the pita, add the grilled fish and lemon basil sauce, then add a bit of the Mediterranean salad and olives to your liking. Wrap or fold pita and enjoy!
Notes
Cook's Note: Grill time will vary depending on thickness of your fish fillets. Mine was about 1.5 inches thick. You are basically looking for the fish to have a nice crust on the outside. The flesh should also turn fully opaque and should flake easily.
Cook's Note: You can use other lean white fish fillets here. Sea bass, grouper, haddock, catfish, and snapper would work.
Prep and Make-Ahead Tips: this pan-grilled fish is quick and is meant to be prepared fresh and enjoyed immediately. But, if you plan to serve it gyro-style, budget some time for prep. You can certainly prepare the gyro items the night before. Tzatziki sauce can be made and stored in tight-lid container in the fridge. You can also chop the Mediterranean salad ingredients and refrigerate in another container; for best results, do not mix the salad and hold off on dressing until closer to serving time.
Other Serving Suggestions: this grilled fish can also be great served in bowls with Greek lemon rice, Greek salad, and some classic hummus.