Baked cod with lemon and garlic is a simple, light fish dinner for two: thick cod fillets spread with a garlicky herb butter of parsley, thyme, dill, paprika and a little lemon juice, surrounded by lemon slices and baked at 400°F until flaky. The butter melts into a lemony sauce around the fish. It takes 30 minutes.
How to make cod with garlic and lemon: Stir softened butter with olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, herbs, paprika and salt. Spread a little in a small baking dish, lay the fillets on top and spread about a tablespoon of herb butter over each. Arrange lemon slices around the fish and bake about 20 minutes, until it flakes easily and reaches 145°F.
Why You’ll Love It
- 30 minutes: 10 to prep, about 20 in the oven.
- Herb butter does the work: it seasons, bastes and makes the sauce.
- Light but satisfying: flaky, mild fish with bright lemon and garlic.
- One small dish: easy cleanup.
Ingredient Notes
Cod: 2 fillets, about 8 ounces each. Thick center-cut pieces stay moist. If frozen, thaw in the refrigerator and pat dry.
Butter and olive oil: 2 tablespoons softened butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil make a spreadable herb butter.
Garlic and lemon: 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon lemon juice in the butter, and a sliced lemon to bake around the fish.
Herbs and spices: 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1/8 teaspoon each of paprika, dill and salt.
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Ingredients
For the herb butter
- 2 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon juice (or to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/8 tsp paprika
- 1/8 tsp dill
- 1/8 tsp salt
For the fish
- 2 8-oz cod fillets
- 1 lemon, sliced
How to Make Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic
1. Heat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for even cooking.
2. Make the herb butter. In a small bowl, combine softened butter, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, paprika, dill, and salt. Stir until well mixed to create a fragrant herb butter.
3. Butter the dish. Spread 1-2 teaspoons of the herb butter in the bottom of a small baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
4. Top the fish. Place the cod fillets in the baking dish and spread about 1 tablespoon of herb butter over each fillet. Arrange lemon slices around the fillets.
5. Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the cod flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F in the thickest part.
6. Serve. Enjoy the herb butter baked cod warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Do You Cover Cod While Baking?
Not for this recipe. Baking it uncovered lets the herb butter brown lightly on top while the fish cooks through. Covering it with foil steams the fish instead, which can be useful for very thin fillets that dry out quickly, but you lose the golden top. Thick fillets like these stay moist uncovered because the butter keeps basting them as it melts.
What Seasoning Is Best for Cod?
Cod is mild, so it takes simple flavors well. Lemon and garlic are the classic pair. Fresh parsley and dill add brightness, thyme adds an earthy note, and a pinch of paprika gives color and gentle warmth. Other good choices: Old Bay-style seafood seasoning, lemon pepper, Cajun spice, or a crust of Parmesan and breadcrumbs.
Tips for Flaky Baked Cod
- Pat it dry. Dry fish holds the butter instead of sitting in water.
- Choose thick fillets. Pieces of even thickness cook at the same rate.
- Check early. Thinner fillets may be done before 20 minutes. Cod is done at 145°F when it flakes easily.
- Don’t marinate in lemon. Acid starts to firm fish within a short time; add lemon at baking time and at the table instead.
- Spoon the juices over. The melted herb butter in the dish is the sauce.
Variations
- Parmesan crust: sprinkle the buttered fillets with grated Parmesan and panko.
- Capers: scatter a spoonful around the fish.
- Other fish: haddock, halibut or tilapia work the same way; adjust the time for thickness.
- Cherry tomatoes: roast a handful in the dish alongside the cod.
- Fresh herbs: use fresh thyme and dill when you have them.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and eat them within 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently, covered, in a low oven so the fish doesn’t dry out, or flake it into a salad or fish tacos.
What to Serve With It
Serve it with rice, roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables or roasted garlic-Parmesan zucchini, squash and tomatoes, plus cheesy garlic breadsticks to soak up the butter.
More easy seafood: baked salmon with asparagus and lemon garlic butter, pan fried tilapia with lemon butter sauce, baked shrimp in lemon butter sauce and 20-minute honey garlic shrimp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you cover cod while baking?
No. Bake it uncovered so the butter browns lightly on top.
How long should fish sit in lemon juice?
Only briefly. Lemon juice starts to firm the fish, so add it when you bake and squeeze more on at the table.
How do you make cod with garlic and lemon?
Spread the fillets with butter mixed with garlic, herbs and lemon juice, add lemon slices and bake at 400°F until the fish reaches 145°F.
What seasoning is best for cod?
Lemon, garlic, parsley, dill, thyme and a pinch of paprika.
Can I use frozen cod?
Yes. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and pat it dry before baking.
How do I know cod is done?
It turns opaque, flakes easily with a fork and reads 145°F.
How long do leftovers keep?
3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
Final Notes
Pat the fish dry, spread on the herb butter and pull it at 145°F. If you add a Parmesan crust or capers, tell me in the comments how it turned out.
Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic
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Ingredients
- 2 tbsp butter softened, for herb butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil for herb butter
- 1 tsp lemon juice or to taste
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped
- 1 tsp thyme for herb butter
- 1/8 tsp paprika for herb butter
- 1/8 tsp dill for herb butter
- 1/8 tsp salt to taste
- 2 8-oz cod fillets for main dish
- 1 lemon sliced, for baking
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) for even cooking.
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, parsley, thyme, paprika, dill, and salt. Stir until well mixed to create a fragrant herb butter.
- Spread 1-2 teaspoons of the herb butter in the bottom of a small baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Place the cod fillets in the baking dish and spread about 1 tablespoon of herb butter over each fillet. Arrange lemon slices around the fillets.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, until the cod flakes easily with a fork and reaches 145°F in the thickest part.
- Enjoy the herb butter baked cod warm, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates based on the listed ingredients and serving count. Actual values vary with brands, cuts and portion sizes.
