Description
A wonderfully simple yet elegant dish, this baked cod in lemon butter is rich, flaky, and perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets, fresh or thawed (haddock can be used as a substitute)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (or olive oil for a lighter touch)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 3 cloves garlic, minced (roasted garlic gives a sweeter taste)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (or use dill or chives for a twist)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) for even cooking and optimal flakiness.
- Whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, and minced garlic in a bowl until combined.
- Place cod fillets in a baking dish, season with salt and pepper, and pour the lemon butter mixture over each fillet.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Adjust time based on fillet thickness.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving for a fresh finishing touch.
Notes
For deeper flavor, marinate cod in the lemon butter mixture for 30 minutes before baking. Add a dash of red pepper flakes for subtle heat. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently to keep the cod moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: baked cod, lemon butter, seafood, fish recipe, easy dinner