Lemon Garlic Baked Cod (Printable)
Tender cod with bright lemon-garlic butter, ready in 25 minutes for healthy Mediterranean dining.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 oz each), boneless and skinless
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
05 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Garnish
11 - Lemon wedges
12 - Additional chopped parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes if using.
04 - Place the cod fillets in the prepared baking dish. Pour the lemon garlic butter sauce evenly over the fillets.
05 - Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
06 - Garnish with additional parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lemon garlic butter sauce creates this incredible bright richness that makes even the most seafood-skeptical person ask for seconds
- It comes together so quickly that you can have a healthy impressive dinner on the table even on chaotic weeknights
02 -
- Overcooking is the enemy of cod so start checking at 12 minutes because the fish continues cooking after it leaves the oven
- Letting the fish sit in the sauce for just 15 minutes before baking intensifies the lemon garlic flavor dramatically
03 -
- If you only have frozen cod thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and pat it extremely dry before cooking
- The red pepper flakes are optional but trust me they add this subtle warmth that makes the dish feel complete