I’m excited to share my take on Baked Cod With Lemon Butter Sauce. Crisp cod fillets meet a savory blend of garlic, lemon juice and melted butter with hints of lemon zest and parsley. Each bite celebrates simple ingredients like cod, garlic and lemon in a quick, delightful weeknight meal.

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I was excited to share this Baked Lemon Butter Cod recipe that I recently discovered. It totally blew my mind how fast and easy it is to whip up, especially on those crazy weeknights when you don’t want to spend ages in the kitchen.

I started with 4 cod fillets, each about 6 oz, and seasoned them with just the right amount of salt and freshly ground pepper. Then I mixed melted unsalted butter with minced garlic, the juice and zest of a whole lemon.

The aroma while it baked in the oven was out of this world. I admit, I like to add a little extra flair with some chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices for garnish if I’m feeling fancy.

This dish is a great twist on classic baked cod and the garlic lemon butter sauce makes it extra tempting. If you love simple fish recipes with bold flavors, you need to try this!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it’s super easy to throw together. The cod comes out so tender and the garlic lemon butter sauce makes it extra flavorful and aromatic even if I mess up the timing a little bit. I also like that it only takes about 20 minutes to bake, so it’s perfect when I’m crunched for time and dont wanna spend hours in the kitchen. Lastly, I feel good knowing I’m eating something healthy and delicious without sacrificing taste or convenience.

Ingredients

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Cod fillets offer plenty of protein and a light flavor that lets other tastes shine.
Unsalted butter brings a smooth rich taste and helps keep the fish moist.
Garlic adds a punch of flavor with some healthy benefits and a bit of heat.
Lemon juice and zest deliver a bright sour kick that enhances the overall dish.
Fresh parsley gives a pop of color and a mild herbal note to finish the meal.

Ingredient Quantities

4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)

Salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

3 garlic cloves, minced

Juice of 1 lemon

Zest of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional for garnish)

Lemon slices for garnish (optional)

How to Make this

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1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking sheet or use parchment paper so the fish wont stick.

2. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels then season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

3. In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter, 3 minced garlic cloves, the juice of 1 lemon, and the zest of 1 lemon until they blend well.

4. Place the seasoned cod fillets on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they have enough space.

5. Pour the garlic lemon butter sauce evenly over each fillet, making sure all the surface of the fish is covered.

6. Bake the cod in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until it flakes easily with a fork.

7. Check the fish halfway through to make sure it’s cooking evenly, then continue baking until done.

8. Remove the fish from the oven and let it rest for a couple minutes; this helps the flavors settle.

9. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley and lemon slices if you want an extra pop of color and flavor before serving.

Equipment Needed

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet (or parchment paper)
3. Paper towels
4. Small mixing bowl
5. Measuring spoons
6. Knife
7. Cutting board
8. Fork
9. Spatula or tongs

Hope this helps!

FAQ

Q: How long should I bake the cod?

The fish should be in the oven for about 12 to 15 minutes at 400°F until its opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Q: Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Its best to use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt in the dish.

Q: Can I prepare the lemon butter mixture ahead of time?

Yup, you can mix the butter, garlic, lemon juice and zest ahead of time, but try to use it soon so the garlic doesn't lose its kick.

Q: How do I know if the cod is cooked enough?

The cod is done when its opaque and flakes easily when you press on it with a fork.

Q: Can I use a different white fish other than cod?

Sure thing, but remember that cooking times might change a bit dependin on the fish you choose.

Q: What side dishes work well with this recipe?

I usually serve it with steamed veggies or rice to soak up all that lemon butter goodness.

Baked Lemon Butter Cod Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Cod fillets: You can use tilapia or haddock if cod is hard to get.
Unsalted butter: Olive oil or clarified butter (ghee) works pretty well instead.
Lemon: If lemons aren’t in season, try using lime juice and zest to still get that citrus kick.
Garlic cloves: Garlic powder is a good substitute but use a bit less since it’s more concentrated.
Fresh parsley: If you dont like parsley, chopped basil or cilantro can be a fun change for garnish.

Pro Tips

1) Make sure you pat the cod fillets really dry before seasoning them so the flavors stick better and you dont end up with a soggy fish.
2) Keep an eye on your fish halfway through the baking time because ovens can be all over the place – sometimes they cook faster than you think.
3) Let the garlic and lemon butter sit for a minute before pouring it on the cod. This gives the flavors time to blend and helps mellow out the garlic bite.
4) Once the fish is out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes; this helps lock in the juices and keeps the cod nice and moist.

Baked Lemon Butter Cod Recipe

My favorite Baked Lemon Butter Cod Recipe

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Equipment Needed:

1. Oven
2. Baking sheet (or parchment paper)
3. Paper towels
4. Small mixing bowl
5. Measuring spoons
6. Knife
7. Cutting board
8. Fork
9. Spatula or tongs

Hope this helps!