Name: Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
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)

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Lemon-Garlic Baked Cod is a light, flavorful dish that emphasizes the tender and flaky texture of cod with a crisp, zesty herb butter. Butter, lemon, garlic, and herbs come together to form a light, but rich sauce that brings out the use of the fish. This simple dish is ideal for a healthful and hearty meal that can be ready in less than 30 minutes.

The herb butter mixture — brightened with lemon juice, garlic, parsley, thyme, paprika and dill — adds layers of brightness and depth, and a small amount of salt helps bind it all together. An oven temperature of 400°F helps the cod cook through gently, so it stays nice and flaky. Lemon slices around the fillets offer a suggestion of citrus fragrance that mixes with the butter and herbs and makes for an inviting dish as perfumed as it is tasty.

A good alternative for a quick dinner is to bake cod in the oven until it’s beautifully tender, for serving with steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes or crisp green salad. This dish is great for weeknight dinner, but also serves up at a nice dinner party — with little fuss for you as a host in getting up and out of the kitchen; it would be perfect for an a please-the-little-kids plan too, being nutritious but that you let ’em dose down as much of it as they like.

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Why You’ll Love It:

Quick and Easy: Ready in less than 30 minutes, this recipe is great for busy nights.

Heathy and Light: Cod is a lean fish, high in protein, and cooking it with herbs and a little butter encourages flavor while remaining light.

Adaptable: Pair it with your favorite sides, from roasted veggies to a salad.

Awesome Flavor Profile: Cod is mild, almost bland on its own, and the garlic-lemon-fresh herb combination takes cod to the next level.

Key Ingredients:

Cod Fillets: Use fresh or frozen fillets (if using frozen, thawed), with a meaty texture. Cod is mild in flavor, making it a perfect vehicle for the garlic, lemon, and herbs in this dish.

Butter and Olive Oil: Softened butter and olive oil create a creamy texture for the herb butter, with the olive oil keep it light and heart-healthy.

Garlic and Lemon: Mincing garlic and adding fresh lemon juice adds to the fish’s flavor, not masking it. Lemon wedges provide some visual interest and additional brightness.

She andthyme, dill, and paprika For fresh herbs, dried thyme and parsley both work fine — but use half as much.

Full ingredients with amounts and instructions are in the recipe card below

Directions:

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

Prepare the Herb Butter:

In mixing bowl, combine softened butter, olive oil, lemon juice, minced/extruded garlic, chopped parsley, thyme, paprika, dill and salt. Stir to combine into a fragrant herb butter.

Prepare the Baking Dish:

Spread 1 to 2 teaspoons of the herb butter in the bottom of a small baking dish to prevent sticking and add extra flavor.

Add the Cod Fillets:

Set the cod fillets in the baking dish and spoon about 1 tablespoon of the herb butter onto each fillet, covering them well. For flavor and visual appeal, arrange lemon around the fillets.

Bake:

Bake in the hot oven for about 20 minutes or until the cod flakes easily when poked with a fork and is cooked through.

Serve:

Serve the herb butter baked cod warm, optionally sprinkled with extra fresh herbs.

Serving Suggestions

Vegetarians: Serve along with roasted asparagus, steamed green beans or a side of sautéed spinach for a well-rounded opportunity.

Grains: Serve with rice pilaf, quinoa, couscous to catch the herb butter.

Salada green salad with a light vinaigrette is a cool complement to the flavors and keeps the meal light.

Lemon wedges: More lemon wedges on the side to squeeze in extra fresh citrus flavor.

Storage and Reheating Tips:

Refrigerating: Store leftover food in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days at most.

Reheating: Reheat gently in a 300-degree oven or microwave on low so you don’t dry out the fish.

Freezing: Cod is best enjoyed fresh, but to keep the texture as good as possible, freezeAt least 10 minutes before cooking. But if you do freeze it, use a freezer-safe container, and the soup will be good for up to 1 month frozen; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Variations:

Spicy Version: Stir a sprinkling of red pepper flakes into the herb butter for a little heat.

Mediterranean Style: Toss a handful of cherry tomatoes, sliced olives and capers into the baking dish for a Mediterranean twist.

Herb Swap: Change the thyme or dill for basil, rosemary or chives for a different herb profile.

Parmesan Crust: Before baking, sprinkle a creamy, cheesy crust on the cod with a thin layer of grated Parmesan cheese.

Butter-Free Option: Replace with all olive oil and double the amount: to keep the fish moist and flavorful without any butter.

Conclusion:

This one is elegant yet super simple to make, Baked Cod with Lemon & Garlic, bursting with fresh flavors. With the tang of lemon, the warmth of garlic and the heft of herb-seasoned butter, it’s a recipe that makes weeknight dinners feel special. Eating light never tasted soooo good!