Description
Lemon butter baked cod brings tender, flaky fish right to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Seasoned fillets bake quickly and deliver a delightful seafood experience that feels restaurant-worthy without complex cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 (6 oz) cod fillets
Sauce and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- Position your oven rack in the center and heat to 400°F. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon olive oil using a pastry brush.
- Melt ¼ cup unsalted butter in a small mixing bowl. Whisk in 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, ½ teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until fully combined.
- Pat 4 cod fillets dry with paper towels. Arrange the fillets in the prepared baking dish without overlapping.
- Pour the entire lemon butter mixture evenly over your cod fillets, ensuring each piece gets a generous coating.
- Slide the baking dish into the 400°F oven. Bake for exactly 12-15 minutes, checking that your fish turns opaque and flakes easily when prodded with a fork.
- Remove from the oven and let the cod rest for 2 minutes. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley across the top.
- Garnish with thin lemon slices beside your cod. Serve immediately while the fish is warm and fragrant.
Notes
- Fresh cod works best, but frozen cod can be thawed and used with equally delicious results.
- Check fish doneness by using a fork to gently separate the flesh, which should flake easily and appear opaque white.
- For a lower-fat version, replace butter with olive oil and reduce total oil quantity by half.
- Gluten-free diners can enjoy this recipe as-is, making it a versatile seafood option for multiple dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 256 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 85 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.2 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg