Lemon Butter Baked Cod Recipe
A quick, healthy, and flavor-packed Lemon Butter Baked Cod—perfectly flaky cod fillets drenched in a bright garlic–lemon butter sauce, ideal for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets approx. 6 oz / 170 g each
- 6 tbsp salted butter melted
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest from one lemon
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
- Lemon slices optional, for garnish
- Optional Variations:
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 –2 tbsp capers
- ¼ cup panko + 2 tbsp grated Parmesan for a crispy topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Grease or line a baking dish with parchment paper.
- Prepare lemon butter sauce: In a small bowl or microwave-safe container, combine melted butter, garlic, lemon juice, zest, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir well to integrate.
- Prep cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Place them evenly spaced in the baking dish.
- Coat fillets: Pour the lemon butter mixture evenly over fillets. Optionally, tuck a lemon slice on each fillet.
- Bake: Place in the oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, depending on fillet thickness. The cod is done when it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque all the way through (~145 °F / 63 °C internally).
- Garnish & serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and spoon any sauce from the dish over the fish. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a 300 °F (150 °C) oven to maintain texture.
- Freezing: Freeze cooked fish in sealed containers for up to 2 months (texture may vary).
- Variations:
- Garlic Herb: Add fresh thyme, basil, or dill to the sauce.
- Spicy Mediterranean: Include red pepper flakes, olives, and chopped sun‑dried tomatoes.
- Parmesan-Crusted: Combine panko and Parmesan, sprinkle on fish before baking for crunch.
- Wine Twist: Replace 1 tbsp lemon juice with a splash of dry white wine for a deeper flavor.