Baked Lemon Butter Cod is an easy, delicious seafood recipe that you are sure to love. This dish can be made in under 30 minutes and is perfect for a quick, yet flavorful meal.
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This recipe for Baked Lemon Butter Cod is similar in flavor to my Broiled Cod recipe, but even easier to prepare.
Lemon, butter, garlic and a few herbs and spices are all you need to make the perfect sauce to compliment this mild fish.
Why This Recipe Works
This is a very quick and easy recipe to prepare. From start to finish it takes less than 30 minutes.
You don’t need a ton of ingredients to make great tasting cod fish. Because it’s such a mild fish, the flavors you add to it really come through. In this dish, rich butter, zesty lemon and garlic are the main flavors with a hint of spice in each bite.
This is definitely a kid-approved, family-friendly recipe. It’s also great for those following a low carb, keto, and/or gluten free diet.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ingredients
- 4 6 ounce cod fillets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional): omit for a milder dish.
- lemon slices
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Juice and zest one lemon. Cut a second lemon into thin slices. Mince the garlic.
Create!
Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper and place into a baking dish.
Whisk together the melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, onion powder, dried parsley and red pepper flakes.
Pour the butter mixture evenly over and around the cod.
Top with lemon slices.
Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the fillets are opaque and flake easily with a fork. Fish needs to reach 145°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion.
Present!
Garnish with additional fresh parsley, if desired.
Tips and Techniques
- Use good quality fish for the best flavor. A high-quality cod should not have a “fishy” taste to it.
- Use fresh garlic and lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but won’t have quite the same flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.
FAQ’s
What Do You Serve With Cod?
Because cod is so mild, you can pair it with almost any vegetable or starchy side dishes that compliments the flavors you’ve added to it.
Some side dishes that would pair great with this cod recipe are:
- Roasted vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, or cauliflower.
- Starches such as roasted or baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, or rice.
- Salad.
More Cod Recipes
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Baked Lemon Butter Cod
Ingredients
- 4 6 ounce cod fillets
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh squeezed)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, omit for a milder dish)
- lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper and place into a baking dish.4 6 ounce cod fillets, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Whisk together the melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, onion powder, dried parsley and red pepper flakes.4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 cloves garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Pour the butter mixture evenly over and around the cod.
- Top with lemon slices.lemon slices
- Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the fillets are opaque and flake easily with a fork. Fish needs to reach 145°F on a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the thickest portion.
- Garnish with additional fresh parsley, if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- Use good quality fish for the best flavor. A high-quality cod should not have a "fishy" taste to it.
- Use fresh garlic and lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch, but won't have quite the same flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Consume within 3 days.
Amy Liu Dong says
This is one of the easiest and tastiest summer dinner meals to make. Everyone at home loves this dish!