Tender, flaky cod baked in a rich lemon-garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs. This easy oven dish comes together quickly and makes a delicious weeknight dinner.
Servings
4 servings
Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Bake: 12–16 minutes
- Total: About 25 minutes
Ingredients
For the Cod
- 4 cod fillets, about 5–6 oz (140–170 g) each
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chicken or vegetable broth, optional
For Garnish
- Lemon slices
- Fresh parsley
- Extra black pepper
- Optional red pepper flakes
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Lightly grease a baking dish with a little olive oil or cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Cod
Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels.
Place them in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between each piece.
Brush lightly with olive oil.
Season both sides with salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
3. Make the Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together:
- Melted butter
- Minced garlic
- Lemon juice
- Lemon zest
- Parsley
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Broth, if using
Mix until well combined.
4. Add the Sauce
Pour the lemon-garlic butter sauce evenly over the cod.
Place a few thin lemon slices around or on top of the fillets.
Spoon some of the sauce from the baking dish over the fish.
5. Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 12–16 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cod.
The fish should be opaque and flake easily with a fork.
For food safety, the thickest part should reach 145°F (63°C).
Avoid overbaking because cod can become dry.
6. Baste with Butter Sauce
Halfway through baking, carefully spoon some of the lemon-garlic butter sauce from the bottom of the dish over the cod.
This keeps the fish moist and adds more flavor.
7. Optional Golden Finish
For a lightly golden top, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
Watch closely so the butter and garlic don’t burn.
8. Rest and Garnish
Remove the cod from the oven and let it rest for 2–3 minutes.
Spoon the buttery lemon sauce from the baking dish over each fillet.
Garnish with fresh parsley, lemon slices, and a little black pepper.
Serve immediately.
What to Serve With It
This cod pairs well with:
- Roasted asparagus
- Steamed broccoli
- Green beans
- Roasted potatoes
- Rice
- Cauliflower
- Zucchini
- Mixed green salad
- Garlic bread
For a lighter meal, serve it with roasted vegetables and a fresh salad.
Tips for Perfect Cod
- Pat the fish dry before seasoning.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Don’t overcook the cod.
- Choose fillets with similar thickness so they finish at the same time.
- Spoon the butter sauce over the fish during baking.
- Let the fish rest briefly before serving.
- Check the thickest part with a food thermometer.
Easy Variations
Spicy Lemon-Garlic Cod
Add ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne to the butter sauce.
Parmesan Cod
Sprinkle 2–3 tablespoons grated Parmesan over the fish during the final few minutes.
Herb Cod
Add fresh dill, thyme, or basil to the butter sauce.
Creamy Lemon Cod
Add 2–3 tablespoons of heavy cream to the sauce for a richer version.
Mediterranean Style
Add chopped tomatoes, olives, spinach, and a little oregano around the cod before baking.
Storage
Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For best quality, consume within 3 days.
Reheat gently until heated through to avoid drying out the fish.
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, depending on the size of the fillet and amount of sauce:
- Calories: 300–350
- Protein: 32–38 g
- Carbohydrates: 2–4 g
- Fat: 18–22 g
- Fiber: Less than 1 g
These are approximate values and will vary with the ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cod?
Yes. Thaw it completely in the refrigerator and pat it very dry before cooking.
Can I use another type of fish?
Yes. Haddock, pollock, halibut, or tilapia can work, although cooking time will vary according to thickness.
How do I know when cod is done?
The fish should be opaque and flake easily. For food safety, the thickest part should reach 145°F (63°C).
Can I prepare the sauce ahead?
Yes. The lemon-garlic butter sauce can be mixed several hours ahead and refrigerated. Let it soften slightly before using.
Why is my cod watery?
Frozen fish can release excess moisture. Thaw it completely and pat it very dry with paper towels before baking.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the sauce.
Can I add vegetables to the baking dish?
Yes. Asparagus, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, spinach, or broccoli are good options.
Can I make this without butter?
Yes. Olive oil can replace the butter, although the sauce will have a different flavor and texture.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
You can, but freshly squeezed lemon juice gives a brighter flavor.
Can I make this recipe spicy?
Yes. Add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a little hot paprika.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic?
Yes, but fresh minced garlic gives the sauce a much stronger and fresher flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Cod is best served freshly baked. You can prepare the sauce and season the fish ahead, then bake shortly before serving.
Final Presentation
Place each flaky cod fillet on a plate and spoon the lemon-garlic butter sauce generously over the top.
Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices.
Tender • Flaky • Buttery • Garlicky • Bright & Fresh