Baked Cod Recipe (20 Minutes) Recipe
This Baked Cod recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that takes just 20 minutes to prepare and cook. Tender cod fillets are brushed with a zesty lemon butter sauce, seasoned with garlic, salt, and pepper, then baked to flaky perfection. Perfect for a healthy and light dinner, this recipe yields moist, tender fish with bright citrus notes and a touch of fresh parsley for garnish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 8 4-oz Cod fillets (preferably thawed)
Seasoning & Sauce
- 1/4 cup Unsalted butter
- 1 medium Lemon (juiced and zested)
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 3/4 tsp Sea salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tbsp Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). You can bake the cod fillets directly from frozen or thaw them first in cold water. Thawing is preferred as it allows for easier application of the butter without it solidifying.
- Prepare Cod Fillets: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Arrange the fillets in a single layer in a 9×13 inch baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Melt Butter and Mix Lemon: In a small bowl, melt the unsalted butter using a microwave or stovetop saucepan. Once melted, mix in the freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon zest to create the lemon butter sauce.
- Brush and Season Fillets: Brush the lemon butter generously over one side of the cod fillets. Sprinkle garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper evenly over the brushed side. Flip the fillets carefully and repeat the brushing and seasoning process on the other side.
- Bake the Cod: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the cod for 12-15 minutes. Cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the fillets. The cod is done when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. For optimal moistness, the internal temperature should reach 135-140°F.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, sprinkle the cod with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and flavor. Serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- Thawing the cod before baking helps the butter brush on more smoothly and prevents it from solidifying immediately.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest to maximize flavor brightness in the butter sauce.
- Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking; tender flakes are ideal at 135-140°F.
- For a richer flavor, you can substitute some butter with olive oil if desired.
- Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: baked cod, lemon butter cod, easy fish recipe, healthy seafood, quick dinner, cod fillets, baked fish
Find it online: https://thefoodrecipe.com/baked-cod-recipe-20-minutes-recipe/
