Baked COD with Lemon Garlic Butter
10 September 2024
Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter
Looking for a simple yet flavorful dinner idea? This baked cod recipe with garlic and lemon butter sauce is the perfect choice. With just a handful of everyday ingredients, you’ll have tender, flaky fish ready in under 30 minutes. The garlic and lemon give it a fresh, zesty kick, while the butter keeps every bite rich and satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for the family or just need a quick weeknight meal, this dish is healthy, delicious, and guaranteed to impress.
So, if all that sounds good to you, read on!
This Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter is a perfect combination of simplicity and flavor! With minimal ingredients and an easy preparation process, it’s an ideal dish for both beginners and seasoned home cooks. The garlic butter sauce infuses the fish with rich, buttery goodness, while the lemon juice and zest bring a bright, refreshing tang that complements the delicate texture of the fish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Quick & Easy: From start to finish, this baked cod recipe takes less than 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights.
Healthy & Light: Cod is a lean, protein-packed fish that pairs beautifully with lemon and herbs for a guilt-free dinner.
Fresh Flavors: The garlic, lemon juice, and zest add brightness, while the butter keeps the fish moist and tender.
Versatile: Serve it with rice, roasted potatoes, steamed veggies, or a crisp salad – it works with almost any side dish.
Family-Friendly: The mild flavor of cod makes it a hit with both kids and adults, even those who aren’t big fans of fish.
More Delicious Fish Recipes to Try
If you loved this baked cod recipe, you’ll definitely want to explore more tasty ways to enjoy seafood at home:
Quick One-Pot Beer-Braised Fish – A cozy, flavorful dish cooked in just one pot, making cleanup a breeze.
Bacon-Wrapped Trout Recipe – Juicy trout fillets wrapped in crispy bacon for a mouthwatering combination of flavors.
Baked Salmon with Avocado and Pistachios – A unique, nutrient-packed recipe that’s as elegant as it is delicious.
These recipes are just as simple, flavorful, and healthy — the perfect additions to your seafood recipe collection!
Ingredients in Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter
Here’s what you need to make Ingredients in Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter:
Medium-sized fillets (3 pieces): Use fresh or thawed white fish fillets such as cod, tilapia, or haddock. These fish varieties are mild in flavor and tender, making them perfect for absorbing the lemon garlic butter sauce.
Salt and pepper (to taste): Enhances the natural flavor of the fish while balancing the seasonings. Adjust the quantity based on personal preference.
Dry thyme (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle earthy and slightly floral note that pairs well with the fish. Dried thyme is preferred for its concentrated flavor.
Dry oregano (1 teaspoon): Brings a Mediterranean touch with its warm, slightly peppery, and aromatic taste. It complements the lemon and garlic beautifully.
Ground paprika (1 teaspoon): Provides a mild smokiness and a pop of color to the dish. You can use smoked paprika for a deeper, richer flavor.
Melted butter (4 tablespoons): Acts as the base of the garlic butter sauce, creating a rich and creamy coating that enhances the fish’s moisture and tenderness.
Fresh garlic (3-4 cloves, finely chopped): Infuses the butter sauce with an intense, savory aroma. Freshly minced garlic is recommended for the best flavor.
Fresh lemon juice (2 tablespoons): Brightens up the dish with its citrusy tang, balancing the richness of the butter and enhancing the overall taste of the fish.
Lemon zest (1 tablespoon): Adds an extra burst of fresh citrus aroma and depth of flavor without adding more liquid to the sauce.
Lemon slices (for garnish): Not only make the dish visually appealing but also provide a fresh, zesty contrast when served alongside the fish.
Red pepper flakes (½ teaspoon, optional): Gives a mild heat to the dish, adding a subtle kick without overwhelming the delicate flavors. Adjust based on spice preference.
Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish): Brings a fresh, herbaceous finish to the dish, making it more vibrant and appealing.
This ingredient list ensures that every bite of your baked fish is filled with flavor, texture, and balance!
How to make Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter
Creating this Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter is all about simplicity and bold flavors coming together effortlessly. The fish is first seasoned with a perfect blend of spices, allowing the natural flavors to shine. A rich, buttery garlic-lemon sauce is then drizzled over the fillets, infusing them with deep, savory goodness. As the fish bakes, the butter melts into the fillets, keeping them moist and flaky, while the citrus enhances their freshness.
Step 1: Season the Fish
Start by patting the fish fillets dry with a paper towel to help the seasonings stick better. In a small bowl, mix the salt, black pepper, dry thyme, dry oregano, and ground paprika to create a flavorful spice blend. Generously season both sides of the fish fillets, ensuring they are evenly coated for the best taste.
Place the seasoned fillets in a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking dish, making sure they are arranged in a single layer without overlapping.
Step 2: Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce
Finely chop the fresh garlic and set it aside. In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter and combine it with chopped garlic, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir well to blend all the flavors.
Carefully pour the garlic butter sauce over the fish, ensuring each fillet is generously coated. This will help keep the fish moist and infuse it with rich, citrusy flavors while baking.
Step 3: Bake the Fish to Perfection
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake the fish for 15-20 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork. Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your fillets.
💡 Optional Tip: For a beautifully golden and slightly crispy finish, switch the oven to broil mode for the last 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye to prevent burning.
Step 4: Garnish & Serve
Once baked, remove the fish from the oven and allow it to rest for a couple of minutes. Garnish with red pepper flakes, freshly chopped parsley, and lemon slices for an extra burst of freshness and color.
Serve immediately with your favorite sides like steamed vegetables, rice, roasted potatoes, or a fresh salad. Enjoy this delicious, buttery, and citrus-infused baked fish that’s perfect for a quick and healthy meal!
🔹 Pro Tip: This recipe works well with cod, tilapia, or any white fish of your choice. For an even richer flavor, try adding a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before baking!
This baked fish with lemon garlic butter shows how simple can still mean delicious. The mix of buttery garlic, fresh citrus, and tender, seasoned fish makes a light yet satisfying meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or even a special occasion!
Serve it with roasted veggies, rice, or a crisp salad for a complete, restaurant-style meal at home. Best part? It’s healthy, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes.
Give it a try and enjoy the zesty lemon, aromatic garlic, and perfectly baked fish, a combo your taste buds will love!
I’d love to know what you think if you give this a try! 🙂 – Angie
Watch how to make it
Follow along with this detailed, step-by-step video guide to discover just how simple and enjoyable it is to prepare this Baked Fish with Lemon Garlic Butter!
The best part? It’s quick and easy, so you can impress your family or guests with a delicious homemade dish in no time! Grab your ingredients, hit play, and let’s get started!
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Baked COD with Garlic and Lemon Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 medium cod fillets
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon ground paprika
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Lemon slices for garnish
- Red pepper flakes optional, for garnish
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Season the Cod
- Pat cod fillets dry with a paper towel.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, and paprika.
- Rub the spice mix evenly over both sides of the fish.
- Place fillets in a lightly greased or parchment-lined baking dish in a single layer.
Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter.
- Stir in chopped garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest until well combined.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the fish fillets.
Bake the Fish
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake cod for 15–20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Optional: For a golden finish, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
Garnish & Serve
- Remove from oven and let rest for 2 minutes.
- Garnish with lemon slices, parsley, and red pepper flakes.
- Serve warm with rice, roasted potatoes, vegetables, or salad.
Notes
Approximate Nutrition (per serving, 3 servings total)
- Calories: ~235 kcal
- Protein: 30 g
- Fat: 11 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: <1 g
- Sugar: 0.5 g
Did you make this recipe?
I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram
Leave a Reply