Lemon Garlic Butter Baked Cod
This lemon garlic butter baked cod is a quick, light, and flavorful seafood dinner made with tender cod fillets baked in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon. Ready in under 25 minutes, it’s an easy, healthy recipe perfect for busy weeknights or simple entertaining.
Ingredients
- Main Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets about 6 oz each, fresh or fully thawed
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- Flavor Base & Seasonings
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or chopped fresh parsley
- Pantry Staples
- Olive oil for greasing the dish
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil.
- Pat cod fillets dry and arrange in a single layer.
- Season lightly with salt and black pepper.
- Make the Lemon Garlic Butter
- In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Assemble
- Pour lemon garlic butter evenly over the cod fillets.
- Spoon some of the sauce over each fillet to coat well.
- Bake
- Bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes, depending on thickness, until cod is opaque and flakes easily.
- Rest & Serve
- Remove from oven and rest for 2–3 minutes.
- Spoon pan sauce over the fish and garnish with fresh parsley or lemon slices if desired.
Notes
- Cod is done at an internal temperature of 145°F.
- Avoid overbaking—cod dries out quickly.
- Patting the fish dry helps prevent excess liquid in the pan.