This lemon baked cod recipe is such an easy weeknight dinner! Learn how to bake cod quickly and easily with loads of flavor and minimal effort!
When we have picky eaters (hello, my children) we try to phrase their dislike of food in more positive terms…
Rather than ‘they don’t like seafood,’ they’re ‘learning to love seafood.’
Try it – it actually works! It reframes it into something that they’re still trying rather than setting things in stone that this a food we don’t like.
It even works on me…I’m learning to love fish. It’s not always my go to, but I want to like it more so I’m experimenting with new recipes and methods and learning to love it!
This lemon baked cod was one of our experiments and turned out to be a total hit with my entire family.
Let’s be real though – how could anyone resist that buttery lemon garlic topping on this baked cod recipe? So good and so much flavor!
Our Parmesan Crusted Cod is another favorite around here!
“This was beyond delicious and probably one of the best seafood dishes I ever made. Thank you very much for sharing this recipe!” – Jen
“This is my second time using your recipe (first one was the million dollar spaghetti squash recipe which was a MAJOR hit). Thank you for posting your meals as they are delicious and help me with my keto diet! I appreciate you!” – Janille
“Cooked this last night for my family and they loved it! My 3 year old daughter kept asking me for seconds, then thirds!! I will definitely be making this again.” – Ashley
Ingredients:
Cod Filets – It’s no secret that fresh caught, never frozen fish tastes the best. But unless you live near the sea or in a city with a decent fish market or grocery store, chances are you’re going to have to make do with some frozen filets. That’s no problem! Just thaw them out first and you are good to go.
Buttery Topping – What makes this baked cod recipe so special is the topping! We’re talking about a mix of softened butter, minced garlic, parsley, and of course some freshly squeezed lemon juice.
How To Bake Cod:
- Make the Topping – Add the softened butter, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, salt and pepper to a bowl and mash it all together with a fork.
- Season the Cod – Spread the butter mixture evenly over each piece of cod. Top it off with a slice of lemon.
- Bake – Pop the cod in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Not only is this dish super flavorful thanks to the bold flavors of lemon and garlic, it’s also very simple with just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep. Ready in about 20 minutes from start to finish, this is perfect for a busy weeknight.
Lemon Baked Cod Serving Suggestions:
Our baked cod goes great with many different sides, including our roasted cauliflower rice, air fryer zucchini, and broccoli tots.
Of course, a simple side salad and some steamed broccoli are our go to sides for just about any meal, if you’d like to keep it more simple.
FAQ’s:
The perfect temperature for cooking cod is 400 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, your cod filets will take about 15 minutes to cook through.
Place a fork into the thickest part of the fish and twist. The fish should flake apart easily and no longer look translucent.
Overcooked fish tends to be dry and tough. Be sure to cook the fish until it just flakes apart with a fork for the best taste and texture.
More Seafood Recipes:
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Lemon Baked Cod
This lemon baked cod is an easy weeknight recipe. With just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes time, you'll have a gorgeous, flavorful, and healthy fish dinner on the table.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets, 4 ounces each
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon minced parsley
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 slices lemon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- Add the butter, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper to a small bowl and mix together with a fork until well combined.
- Spread the butter mixture evenly over each cod filet and top with a slice of lemon.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Notes
This cod recipe should also work well with tilapia and other firm white fish.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 136Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 46mgSodium: 379mgCarbohydrates: 1gNet Carbohydrates: 1gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 7g
All information and tools presented and written within this site are intended for informational purposes only. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information is accurate.
Trying this tonight. Dill rather than parsley. Really anticipating supper!
Hope you enjoyed!
Hoping to make this tonight – can i substitute olive oil for the butter?
I’ve never tried, but let us know how it works out for you. 🙂
Lemon is a difficult ingredient to make a complete dish, unexpectedly you can do it. wow
This is my second time using your recipe (first one was the million dollar speghetti squash recipe which was a MAJOR hit). Thank you for posting your meals as they are delicious and help me with my keto diet! I appreciate you!