Baked Cod with Lemon Butter (Printable Version)
Tender cod fillets baked with lemon zest and butter for a quick, flavorful main dish.
# Ingredient List:
→ Fish
01 - 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each), skinless and boneless
→ Marinade & Topping
02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
03 - 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
06 - 1 tbsp olive oil
07 - ½ tsp salt
08 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
09 - ½ tsp paprika
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon slices
11 - Extra chopped parsley
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and place them in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, paprika, and chopped parsley.
04 - Pour the butter-lemon mixture evenly over the cod fillets.
05 - Top each fillet with a lemon slice.
06 - Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
07 - Garnish with extra parsley and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The butter lemon sauce creates its own rich serving base right in the dish
- From prep to plate in thirty minutes with zero fancy techniques
02 -
- Overcooking happens fast so check at the fifteen minute mark
- Letting the fish rest for two minutes after baking helps it retain moisture
03 -
- Room temperature fish cooks more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
- The sauce is delicious enough to warrant serving with crusty bread on the side