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!
Would you like to save this recipe?
We'll email it right to you, so you can come back to it later!
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. Serve with a salad topped with our keto caesar dressing – yum!
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 and Pan Seared Halibut are other favorites 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:
- Garlic Butter Salmon and Asparagus
- Creamy Tuscan Shrimp
- Garlic Butter Shrimp
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
- Salmon Bruschetta
And, please, if you make this, be sure to snap a pic and share with us on Instagram! Tag us at @thatlowcarblife or follow here. You can also share on our Facebook page! Click to like!
Lemon Baked Cod
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.
eatfrysmith says
Very simple and delicious, I tried it at home and succeeded
EDS says
Trying to slim down and add more fish to my diet. No question, this is the easiest cod recipe I’ve read. Can’t wait to try it out.
Ashley Judd says
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.
Vanessa says
Hi karly I live in Alaska and don’t like the taste of fish either!! But I’m trying to eat more so I bought some fresh cod today and I’m trying your recipe tonight. I wanted to let you know the Milk trick, when fish is straight out of the ocean it doesn’t have that fishy flavor but once it starts getting fishy you soak it in milk and it takes away the fishy and tastes like fresh caught.
Karly Campbell says
Oh, I’ve never heard of that! Thanks for the tip! Hope you enjoy the cod!
Jen says
This was beyond delicious and probably one of the best seafood dishes I ever made. Thank you very much for sharing this recipe!
Karly Campbell says
Yay! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Jessica Anderson says
Trying this tonight! Did you use fresh parsley? If I was to use dried parsley instead, do I use the amount called for in the recipe? Thanks!
Karly Campbell says
I use the freeze-dried kind so it’s basically fresh. You could use a bit less for dried.
Woot man says
Is the Cod baked covered or uncovered?
Karly Campbell says
Uncovered.
Vittorina says
Laura: My adult daughter has developed garlic allergy & gets deadly ill. I’m starting to realize garlic allergies are on the increase & garlic is hidden in everything, especially seasonings; hard to eat out. As an FYI, it seems she does not experience any effects with eating shallots.
Avi says
I developed a garlic allergy after I got lupus. I did the Specific Carb Intro Diet which is the same as gaps intro diet (www.gaps.me/diet). This is a temporary elimination diet that heals allergies and now I eat garlic with joy … I do avoid packaged and processed foods most the time though. The garlic allergy results from gut dysbiosis.
Laura says
I’m allergic to garlic. Can you think of a substitute? Seems most recipes call for garlic and if I eat it, my stomach is upset for about 6 hours afterward.
Karly Campbell says
You could try shallots, but you may be allergic to those as well if you have issues with garlic. Otherwise just leave it out.
H. Bells says
Garlic oil if it’s a FODMAP issue
Sonya Biamonte Tem.. says
Simply delicious, thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Mary Beth says
Made it tonight and it was awesome. Thank you!
Judy Willington says
Do you thaw the frozen fish first or can you cook from frozen??
Karly Campbell says
I used thawed fish.
Christopher H. Wisdom says
Thank you for the Great recipe- Tasty fish!
Patricia Greiner says
First fish receipe I have realllly liked. I am not a big fish eater but have to say this receipe may just turn me around.
Thank you
Michelle Simmons says
Made tanks tonight for my husband and he loved it. Thanks for a great recipe!
Ewelina says
Karly thanks a lot. Cod was dimply delicious. Even my kids loved it. I will definitely use this recipe in the future. Thanks again.
Karly Campbell says
So glad you enjoyed the cod!
Nancy says
My 17 year old son and I really enjoyed this recipe tonite! It’s really incredible easy and I love to bake fish. Thank you!
Cecilia Rawlins says
I’m not a fan of cod; but I plan to try this lemon cod!
Karly Campbell says
Hope you enjoy! This would work well with any firm white fish. 🙂
Rick Geiken says
Please send us your low carb recipes
Karly Campbell says
You can sign up to receive recipes via email right here: http://eepurl.com/dxBgV1
Sandra says
This was a great recipe – easy and delicious. Made it last night! I tried to sign up to your recipe emails, but the link didn’t work.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Sandra! Glad you enjoyed the recipe! Can you tell me where you tried to sign up at so I can get it fixed? Everything I’m seeing is working on my end, so just want to be sure I”m not missing something. You can sign up here, if you still want to: https://thatlowcarblife.com/free-email-series/ You’ll get a free series and also receive new recipes via email. 🙂
Linda says
Congratulations on your new low carb website. I’m really grateful that you did this. THANK YOU! I would like to request that you post the nutritional values. I notice on this recipe you post the calories, but it would be really helpful if you would also post carbs and sugar. I’m trying to do both for my husband and myself. I would also like to check if it’s all right if I post your recipes on my blog. I’ll of course provide a link to your website and give you credit. Thank you again.
Karly Campbell says
Hi Linda!
You can find more detailed nutritional info above the prep time and below the recipe summary within the recipe card.
I’d prefer you not copy my recipes onto your site, but you’re welcome to link your readers here. Thank you!!
Domino says
Karly, are you too lazy to figure it out yourself? Seriously.
Karly Campbell says
I’m not sure what you’re referring to.