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Coated in a super garlicky lemon butter sauce with just a bit of spice, this 20-minute Baked Lemon Butter Cod is the quick and easy weeknight recipe you’ve been waiting for! With literally almost no prep involved, this fish dish is light, healthy, and absolutely delicious!
Easy Baked Lemon Butter Cod Recipe
Want to know how to make tasty fish!?! Coat it in lemon butter sauce! It works every time and is one of the easiest ways to add loads of flavor to an ingredient that can sometimes be bland if not seasoned properly. Much like my Garlic Butter Baked Salmon, this recipe follows a similar flavor profile and cooking method. Yet, instead it’s made with white fish. So if you’re not a big fan of salmon, but like fish and lemon butter then this easy baked cod recipe is for you!
Another great thing about this baked lemon butter cod recipe is that you can use any type of white fish you like. So if you don’t have any cod on hand, no problem! Haddock works well as does even more affordable tilapia. You can also easily add other spices or herbs to the butter sauce. The recipe is really flexible.
Not to mention, it’s pretty healthy! Fish is a lean protein that is good for you and this dish can easily be paired with a side of Instant Pot Rice and Steamed Broccoli to keep things light. Or, you can go all out and pair it with some Potatoes Au Gratin, and a glass of white wine. It’s a lovely fish recipe that your whole family will enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Baked Lemon Butter Cod
- Effortless Recipe! There is very little time prep involved in this simple 20-minute recipe. Once the fish is coated in a simple butter sauce you just pop it in the oven to bake.
- Tasty Lemon Butter! After being coated with the perfect combination of zesty lemon, rich butter, and fresh garlic the cod filets are baked to delicious perfection.
- Healthy Dinner! This baked lemon butter cod is full of unbelievable flavor and good for you. White fish is naturally low-fat, keto-friendly, and high in protein.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cod – I like to use cod filets, but any type of white fish will work. Other good choices are haddock and tilapia.
- Butter – Always use unsalted butter to control the level of added salt.
- Garlic – For the best flavor, use freshly minced garlic cloves instead of jarred.
- Salt – Just a bit is needed to enhance the natural flavor of the fish.
- Garlic Powder – Works in combination with the fresh minced garlic to add even more garlicky goodness.
- Onion Powder – Using onion powder is a fantastic way to add a bit of flavor without much effort.
- Lemon – This recipe requires both the zest and juice of a fresh lemon. You can’t get away with using concentrated lemon juice in this case.
- Red Pepper Flakes – Adds just a hint of spice. This ingredient can be omitted if you prefer or you can use even more for extra spice.
- Parsley – Used to garnish the fish and add a bit of fresh herb flavor.
This is one of the easiest fish recipes! In just 20 minutes you can have a healthy main course. All you have to do is make a quick seasoned butter sauce, coat the filets, and bake!
Preheat The Oven
Before you begin, preheat your oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) so that it’s ready once the fish is prepped. Then grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside for now.
Season The Fish
First, you need to make a simple butter sauce. To do this, just combine the melted butter, fresh minced garlic, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes together in a medium bowl. Now, add the cod filets to the bowl and gently toss them around in the butter sauce until they are fully coated on all sides.
Bake The Fish
Now it’s time to bake! Lay the cod filets in a single layer in the 9×13-inch baking dish. Then cover them with the remaining butter mixture in the bowl. Next, place lemon slices on and all around the fish. Finally, transfer the fish to the preheated oven and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes. Then when the baked lemon butter cod is done, garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and serve it with lemon wedges.
What Temp Should Cod Be Cooked To?
Fish is considered cooked once it reaches 145°F (63°C) when checked with a digital cooking thermometer. White fish will also no longer look translucent and it will flake easily with a fork when it’s done.
Can I Use Frozen Fish?
Yes! But you should defrost the fish before starting this recipe. The butter sauce will not adhere to frozen fish filets and properly cook.
Expert Tips
- Pat the fish dry. Use paper towels to pat the filets dry before tossing them in the butter sauce. Removing the excess moisture will create a more flaky texture.
- Let the butter cool. Once the butter is melted, let it cool for a moment before adding the fish. Really hot butter can burn you and cook the outer layer of the filets.
- Defrost with cool water. If you opt to use frozen fish, never use warm water to defrost the filets. Either thaw them out overnight in the fridge or place them under cool running water.
Storage
All fish is best eaten immediately after it’s made. However, baked lemon butter cod leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. To reheat, just put it in the microwave on low for just a few minutes or in the oven at 350°F (177°C).
Other Great Seafood Recipes To Try
- Fish Tacos
- Baked Thai Salmon
- Creamy Tuscan Salmon
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Salmon And Green Beans Sheet Pan Dinner
- Fish And Chips
- Seared Scallops with Lemon Butter Sauce
Baked Lemon Butter Cod
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets or other white fish, 6 ounces each
- ¼ cup butter unsalted, melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- zest from one lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice freshly squeezed
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped
- 1 lemon cut in slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a medium size bowl, combine the melted butter, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon zest, lemon juice and red pepper flakes. Add the cod fillets to the bowl and toss them around in the lemon butter sauce.
- Place the cod fillets in a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour remaining lemon butter sauce over the cod. Place lemon slices around and on the fish.
- Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes.
- Garnish the cod with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Tips & Notes:
- Pat the fish dry. Use paper towels to pat the filets dry before tossing them in the butter sauce. Removing the excess moisture will create a more flaky texture.
- Let the butter cool. Once the butter is melted, let it cool for a moment before adding the fish. Really hot butter can burn you and cook the outer layer of the filets.
- Defrost with cool water. If you opt to use frozen fish, never use warm water to defrost the filets. Either thaw them out overnight in the fridge or place them under cool running water.
- All fish is best eaten immediately after it’s made. However, baked lemon butter cod leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. To reheat, just put it in the microwave on low for just a few minutes or in the oven at 350°F (177°C).
