Lemon Garlic Baked Cod
Lemon Garlic Baked Cod is a quick oven-baked fish recipe with garlic butter and lemon. Perfect for an easy, healthy dinner.
Servings: 4 servings
Equipment
- 9x13 inch baking dish
- rubber spatula
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (6-8 oz. each, about 1-1¼ inches thick)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 6-8 lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.4 cod fillets
- In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, salt, pepper, and paprika. Mix until smooth and well blended.6 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, ½ teaspoon paprika
- Spread about 1½ tablespoons of the butter mixture evenly over the top of each fillet. Drizzle the lemon juice over the fish, then top each piece with 1-2 lemon slices.2 tablespoons lemon juice, 6-8 lemon slices
- Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the cod is opaque, flakes easily with a fork, and reaches an internal temperature of 140°F.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Spoon the pan juices over the fillets before serving, if desired.
Notes
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
♨️ REHEATING
- Oven - Place in an oven-safe dish, top with 1 tablespoon butter, cover, and bake at 250°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
- Microwave - Heat in 30-second intervals at reduced power until warmed.
- Skillet - Warm gently over low heat with a small pat of butter.
- Air fryer - Reheat at 300°F for 4-6 minutes.
❄️ FREEZING
- Freeze cooked cod in an airtight container for up to 2 months.
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Pat the fish dry to help the butter mixture adhere better.
- Use evenly thick fillets so they cook at the same rate.
- Check early if fillets are thinner than 1 inch to avoid overcooking.
- Cook to temperature and remove at 140°F for tender, flaky results.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Air fryer - Cook at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, depending on thickness.
- Grill - Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes per side using a grill-safe pan or foil.
- Broiler - Broil 4-6 inches from the heat for 6-8 minutes, watching closely.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Flake into tacos with slaw and crema.
- Add to salads for an easy protein boost.
- Stir into pasta with extra lemon butter sauce.
📝 NOTES
- Frozen cod can be thawed quickly by placing fillets in a bowl of cool water for 4-5 minutes, changing water as needed until thawed.
- Butter should be very soft for easy mixing and even spreading.
- Lemon helps brighten flavor and reduce any strong fish aroma.
- Cooking time may vary based on fillet thickness.
- Thinner fillets will cook faster and may need 10-12 minutes instead of the full time.
- Use sweet paprika for a mild flavor or smoked paprika for added depth.
- You can mix the butter topping earlier in the day and refrigerate it until you're ready to use it.
- Garnish with extra parsley and fresh lemon slices for a fresh finish.
Nutrition
Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 895kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 161g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 432mg | Sodium: 1071mg | Potassium: 3756mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 1178IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 4mg
