Poor Man's Lobster
Recreate the decadence of lobster on a budget with this simple yet indulgent recipe for "Poor Man’s Lobster." Tender cod fillets are gently poached in a perfectly balanced sugar-and-salt brine, mimicking the sweet, succulent flavor of lobster meat. Finished with a rich, paprika-infused butter drizzle and a squeeze of fresh lemon, this dish delivers bold flavors with minimal effort. Perfect as a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing centerpiece, this recipe is ready in just 35 minutes and serves four. Garnish with fresh parsley for an elegant touch and pair with your favorite side dishes for a meal that looks and tastes like luxury without the price tag. Keywords: Poor Man's Lobster recipe, cod fillet recipe, seafood on a budget, lobster alternative recipe, easy seafood recipe, butter sauce for fish.
Try SnapCalorie's FREE AI assisted nutrition tracking free in the App store or on Android.
Scan with your phone to download!
Ingredients
- 2 pounds cod fillets (or haddock)
- 8 cups water
- 0.5 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 0.5 cups unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 4 pieces lemon wedges
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Directions
Step 1
Rinse the cod fillets in cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the fillets into smaller portions, if desired.
Step 2
In a large pot, combine 8 cups of water, 0.5 cups of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of salt. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve.
Step 3
Bring the liquid to a rolling boil over high heat.
Step 4
Carefully place the cod fillets into the boiling water. Reduce the heat to medium and let the fish simmer for 5-7 minutes, or until the fillets turn opaque and are cooked through.
Step 5
While the cod is simmering, melt 0.5 cups of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon of paprika to the butter and stir to combine.
Step 6
Using a slotted spoon or tongs, gently remove the cooked cod pieces from the pot and place them on a serving platter.
Step 7
Generously drizzle the paprika butter sauce over the fish.
Step 8
Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing over the fish.
Step 9
Enjoy this flavorful dish immediately while it’s warm!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (3054.7g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1566.0 |
| Total Fat 55.0g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 29.0g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 0g | |
| Cholesterol 514.1mg | 0% |
| Sodium 14718.5mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 102.8g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 100.7g | |
| Protein 164.0g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 1814.4IU | 0% |
| Calcium 242.1mg | 0% |
| Iron 2.4mg | 0% |
| Potassium 3843.7mg | 0% |
Source of Calories