This Lemon Butter Baked Cod is a light and flavorful dish with flaky, tender cod fillets baked in a zesty lemon butter sauce. It’s easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Cod Fillets
Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the fish bake evenly and hold its shape. Place the fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything together until well combined.
4. Coat the Cod
Pour the lemon butter sauce evenly over the cod fillets, making sure each piece is coated. You can also spoon some of the sauce over the fillets if needed.
5. Bake the Cod
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the cod flakes easily with a fork. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets.
6. Serve
Once the cod is done, remove it from the oven and transfer the fillets to serving plates. Spoon any remaining lemon butter sauce from the pan over the fish. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges for extra flavor.
Tips
- Cod is a mild white fish that works well for this recipe, but you can also use other white fish like tilapia or halibut.
- To make the dish even more flavorful, consider adding a sprinkle of paprika or parmesan cheese before baking.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal.
This Lemon Butter Baked Cod is light, healthy, and bursting with fresh flavors. It’s an easy yet elegant dinner option that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy!
Print
Lemon Butter Baked Cod Recipe
Description
This Lemon Butter Baked Cod is a light and flavorful dish with flaky, tender cod fillets baked in a zesty lemon butter sauce. It’s easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
2. Prepare the Cod Fillets
Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the fish bake evenly and hold its shape. Place the fillets on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Make the Lemon Butter Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, and dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything together until well combined.
4. Coat the Cod
Pour the lemon butter sauce evenly over the cod fillets, making sure each piece is coated. You can also spoon some of the sauce over the fillets if needed.
Notes
- Cod is a mild white fish that works well for this recipe, but you can also use other white fish like tilapia or halibut.
- To make the dish even more flavorful, consider adding a sprinkle of paprika or parmesan cheese before baking.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes like roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or rice for a complete meal.