This Lemon Butter Baked Cod recipe is full of buttery, garlicky flavor, with a twist of tangy lemon. You’ll love the fresh taste and flaky fillets in this scrumptious and easy main dish.
Table Of Contents
Recipe Details
This Lemon Butter Baked Cod is fresh, flaky, and full of flavor. I love making this recipe when I’m short on time but want something that looks good and tastes even better. It’s perfect for company or just for a nice family dinner at home. It’s just so good!
- TASTE: This baked cod is full of bright citrusy flavors, pungent garlic, and rich butter. The neutral taste of the cod makes it perfect for hosting all these different flavors.
- TEXTURE: Cod is super flaky and baking it with butter makes it extra moist and delicious.
- TIME: This dish is ready in under 20 minutes and perfect for any night of the week.
- EASE: This is one of those simple dinners that feels special. It’s nice and easy with a handful of basic ingredients.
What You’ll Need
Ingredient Notes
- Cod fillets – You can use fresh cod or fully thawed if they’re frozen. Make sure they’re deboned.
- Unsalted butter – Use softened butter.
- Garlic cloves – Freshly pressed or grated. You can use store-bought minced garlic if it’s all you’ve got (just keep in mind the pieces will be bigger).
- Paprika– This adds some smoky flavor.
- Dried basil– For an earthy flavor that complements the garlic and cod.
- Lemon – Sliced thin for topping.
- Fresh parsley – Chopped, for garnish.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Substitute the butter– Make this a healthier option by swapping some or all of the butter for olive oil for a lighter dish.
- Make it spicier- Add some red pepper flakes for some added heat.
- Add more flavor- Small salty capers add great taste that goes well with the lemon and butter in this dish. White wine is also a tasty add-in. The alcohol will cook out.
- Add other vegetables- Try this recipe with some added kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes.
How to Make Lemon Butter Baked Cod
- Make the butter mixture. Preheat your oven to 400° Fahrenheit. In a small bowl, mix together the butter, garlic, salt, paprika, black pepper, and dried basil. Stir until smooth and set aside.
Pro Tip: Make sure to use softened butter or it will be too stiff to completely mix with the other ingredients. Leaving it on the counter or microwaving for 20 seconds should be enough.
- Prep the cod. Pat the fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. If your fish was frozen, make sure it’s fully thawed first.
- Season and top. Lightly season both sides of the fillets with salt and pepper. Place them in a small baking dish and spread the butter mixture evenly over the top.
- Add lemon slices. Place a slice of lemon over each piece of fish.
- Bake. for 14–15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Garnish and serve. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Recipe Tips
- Use thawed fish – If using frozen cod, make sure it’s fully thawed and patted dry before baking. If it’s still wet, the butter mixture will slide right off.
- Don’t overbake – Cod cooks quickly — check it around the 12-minute mark to keep it tender. Overcooked fish is rubbery and dry.
- Check for doneness – The easiest way to tell when fish is done is to check if it looks opaque and flakes apart easily with a fork.
FAQs
At 400 degrees Fahrenheit, you can cook a cod fillet for about 10-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillet. Check for doneness when the fillet is opaque and flakes easily.
You can make sure to grease or line the bottom of the baking dish before setting the cod in it to ensure it doesn’t stick. You can also line the bottom of the dish with lemon slices to infuse more flavor as well as keep the fish from sticking.
Serving Suggestions
This Lemon Butter Baked Cod goes with just about anything! I love serving it with grains, pasta, salads, and veggies.
- Grains: Serve this baked cod over a bed of Wild Rice Recipe, Wild Brown Rice, white rice, brown rice, or Cilantro Lime Rice.
- Pasta: Serve it with pasta dishes like this Easy Pasta Primavera, Asparagus Pasta, Spaghetti with Zucchini and Garlic, or Lemon Chicken Piccata (minus the chicken :))
- Salads: Enjoy this cod with a Antipasto Salad, Spinach Salad, Chopped Caprese Salad, or Couscous Arugula Salad.
- Vegetables: Pair it with Crispy Air Fryer Broccoli, Oven Roasted Asparagus, Grilled Vegetables, or Super Creamy Mashed Potatoes.
Make This Recipe in Advance
Make ahead: You can combine the butter mixture ahead of time and store it in the fridge until you’re ready. Make sure to let it soften on the counter or in the microwave before adding it to the cod.
Storing: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days in the refrigerator.
To reheat, place the cod in a skillet over medium heat and warm until hot. Add a touch of butter or water if needed to keep it moist.
Freeze: You can freeze the Lemon Butter Baked Cod if it was fresh and not previously frozen. Place it in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
More Delicious Seafood Dishes!
Full Recipe Instructions
Lemon Butter Baked Cod
Ingredients
- 4 6 oz cod fillets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
- 2 garlic cloves pressed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried Basil
- 1/2 fresh lemon sliced
- 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- NOTE: This recipe can be DOUBLED and made in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Preheat your oven to 400ºF. Then, in a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of room temperature unsalted butter with the pressed garlic cloves, salt, paprika, black pepper, and dried Basil. Then set it aside. I mixed everything using a fork.
- Take out 4 (6 ounce) fresh cod fillets and pat the extra moisture off of them using a paper towel. If they are frozen, make sure to thaw them out completely. Note: if your cod is really cold, it may stiffen your butter as you spread it, so you can slightly melt your butter to make this process easier.
- Generously season the top and bottom of each fillet with salt and pepper.
- Place the seasoned cod into a small deep baking dish and evenly spread the butter mixture on top.
- Add a slice of lemon on top of each cod fillet and bake at 400ºF for about 14-15 minutes or until the cod is at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit in the center of the fish. Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the fish. A great way to tell if your cod is fully cooked is when it is opaque and easily flaked with a fork.
- Garnish the baked cod with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot with a side of Pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Nutrition
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