Baked Cod is anything but “blah”! Flaky white fish filets bathed in a luscious lemon garlic butter sauce are fast, easy, and fantastic!
When you need to make dinner at a minute’s notice, our mild, oven Baked Cod recipe is a simple, savory solution! Featuring fresh (or frozen) fish filets finished with a rich, flavorful sauce of butter, lemon juice & zest, minced garlic and paprika, baked lemon-butter cod is a healthy dinner that makes everybody happy!
Cod is a Brilliant Choice for Dinner!
Eating cod is beneficial to your health! It’s low in fat, high in protein, and rich in essential nutrients such as omega-3s, B12, and potassium. Cod is a cornerstone food for heart, bone, and brain health!
Cod is super easy to cook! It’s mild-flavored and flaky-textured, making it a family favorite, especially for those who don’t like “fishy” fish such as salmon or tuna. Plus, it’s an affordable entree option that gives you a break from chicken, chicken, chicken all the time!
Luscious Lemony Sides to Serve with Buttered Cod
- Light and bright, this 15-minute Lemon Spaghetti pairs perfectly with the Baked Cod!
- Our Lemon Butter Broccolini, with a side of mashed potatoes, makes the baked cod an easy and delicious family dinner!
Ingredients
Fish: Since this IS a Baked Cod recipe, we’re using cod filets! Fresh or frozen – either will be great! But this recipe also works with haddock, tilapia, halibut, or rockfish.
Sauce: Unsalted butter, a whole lemon (we’ll zest and juice it), and minced garlic make a fresh, rich, zesty sauce.
Seasonings: Ground paprika (plus a little salt & pepper) brings color and enhances the flavors!
Garnish: A sprinkle of parsley over the finished dish really makes it pop!
How to Make Lemon-Garlic Baked Cod
STEP ONE: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the lemon slices at the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. and then lay the fresh or thawed cod filets over the lemons. Lightly coat the fish with non-stick cooking spray.
STEP TWO: In a small bowl, add very soft (but NOT melted) butter, garlic, lemon zest, 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice, and salt. Mix well. Rub the butter all over the fish filets, then sprinkle the tops with paprika and ground pepper.
STEP THREE: Bake the cod for 13 minutes, or until it reaches an internal temperature of 140°F. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley and serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy – I bet you’ll be making this on repeat!
Tips for Success
- Use softened – NOT melted, butter for the lemon garlic sauce.
- A cast-iron skillet works great for this recipe!
- Don’t overcook! A 400-degree oven will cook this perfectly in 12-13 minutes, but it will also dry it out faster if you cook it too long.
- Wild-caught fresh cod is the best option, but frozen is just fine!
- Cover with foil while baking for a soft, moister interior, or leave it uncovered for lightly crisp edges with a tender interior.
How Long Should You Bake Fish?
Cod and most other fish cook quickly and easily! Depending on the thickness of the filets, most fish will cook in 15-20 minutes in a 400°F oven. Glass baking dishes or cast-iron dishes will take longer, while thin metal pans will heat more quickly. The center of the fish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F, but you’ll know the fish is done when it is opaque (bright white for cod rather than silvery iridescent) and the meat flakes easily with a fork. Don’t be tempted to “leave it in for just another minute or two” – overcooked fish dries out quickly.
What’s the Best Way to Thaw Frozen Fish?
Fresh fish is fabulous, but most people don’t have easy access to coastal-caught seafood, in which case, frozen works beautifully! It’s more cost-effective than fresh produce and very convenient. The key to maintaining great flavor is thawing it properly.
Place frozen, vacuum-sealed cod in a bowl of cold water. Yes, cold. If your fish isn’t vacuum-sealed, place it in a zip-top bag, remove the air, and submerge it in cold water. Never place frozen fish directly into the water, as this can make your fish “mushy” and expose it to bacteria. In 10-15 minutes, your fish will be almost completely thawed. Place your bagged, thawed filets in the refrigerator until ready to cook. That’s it!
Other Favorite Fish Recipes
- Baked Parmesan Tilapia
- Smoked Salmon Dip
- Halibut Fish Tacos
- Tuna Avocado Sushi Cups
- Hawaiian Grilled Salmon Filets
- Air Fryer Fish and Chips
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Arrange the lemon slices in the bottom of a 9-inch x 13-inch baking dish. Place the cod fillets over the lemon slices and lightly coat with non-stick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, stir together the softened butter, salt, garlic, lemon zest, and ½tablespoon of lemon juice until well combined. (see note)
- Rub the butter all over the fish fillets. Sprinkle lightly with pepper and paprika.
- Bake for 13 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
- Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve warm.
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