If you’re looking for a simple, elegant weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion, you’ve found it. This baked lemon-garlic cod with butter sauce comes together in minutes and delivers incredibly tender, flaky fish with a vibrant, savory sauce that you will want to spoon over everything.
I’ve been making this baked lemon-garlic cod with butter sauce for years, and trust me, it’s a foolproof recipe that’s delicious every single time. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like a five-star chef without any of the fuss.
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Key Takeaways
- Effortless Elegance: This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights, ready in under 30 minutes with minimal cleanup.
- Foolproof Flakiness: The baking method ensures your cod turns out perfectly tender and moist—never dry or rubbery.
- Flavor Explosion: The zesty lemon and savory garlic infused in the butter sauce create a truly sensational flavor profile.
- Go-To Dinner: It’s a versatile and reliable dinner you can serve for your family or when you have friends over. It’s also a great way to use up that extra cod you bought on a whim at the grocery store. It’s a fantastic one-pan dinner that you’ll want to add to your regular rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod
- It’s a total game-changer for anyone who thinks fish is hard to cook. This recipe proves it can be incredibly easy!
- The aroma alone is worth it. As the garlic and butter bubble in the oven, your kitchen will smell like a fancy Italian restaurant.
- The sauce is so good you’ll be tempted to eat it with a spoon. You know that buttery pan sauce we’re making? It’s pure gold.
- It’s naturally light and healthy. Cod is a lean protein that’s a fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for your heart and brain.
- The thin lemon slices on top not only look beautiful but also infuse the fish with even more bright, citrusy flavor as it bakes.
- You can easily make this a healthy turkey taco bowls-style “bowl” meal by serving it over quinoa and roasted veggies.
- Leftovers are fantastic! Seriously, this fish holds up so well in the fridge for a quick and easy lunch the next day.
Food or Cultural Background
This recipe for baked cod with lemon and garlic is a perfect example of classic Mediterranean-inspired cooking—simple, fresh ingredients coming together to create a dish that’s so much more than the sum of its parts.
My mother always said the best food doesn’t need a lot of fancy ingredients; it just needs a little love and a focus on quality.
I still remember the first time I made this for my husband. He’s a big fan of rich, savory foods, and I was a little worried he’d find this too “light.” But the moment he tasted the perfectly flaky fish with that buttery, zesty sauce, his eyes lit up.
He said it reminded him of a trip we took to Italy, where every meal felt incredibly fresh and vibrant. That’s the feeling I want to capture with every recipe I share with you. It’s a testament to how the right combination of flavors—like garlic butter meatballs—can transport you.
Ingredients for Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce
| Ingredient | Notes/Substitutes |
| 1 ½ pounds cod loin fillets | Pat them completely dry! You can also use haddock, halibut, or tilapia. |
| 2 tablespoons olive oil | Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. |
| 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice | Fresh is best here, trust me. It makes a huge difference. |
| 4 cloves garlic, minced | Can’t have too much garlic! Use fresh for the best flavor. |
| Salt & Black pepper | To taste, but don’t be shy! |
| ¼ cup unsalted butter, diced | Dicing it helps it melt evenly over the fish. |
| 1 small lemon, thinly sliced | This is for topping and a little extra flavor. |
| Chopped fresh parsley | A sprinkle of fresh herbs at the end makes all the difference! |
Equipment Needed
- A medium-sized baking dish (9×13 inch is perfect)
- A small bowl for whisking the sauce
- A fork for flaking the fish
- A cutting board and a sharp knife for slicing and mincing
- A meat thermometer (optional, but a great way to ensure the fish is cooked perfectly)
How to Make Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod Step-by-Step
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a medium baking dish. This will help prevent the fish from sticking.
- Arrange the patted-dry cod fillets in a single layer in the dish. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
- Whisk the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic together in a small bowl.
- Pour the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the top of the cod fillets, making sure each piece is coated.
- Scatter the small diced pieces of butter evenly over the fish. Then, arrange the thin lemon slices on top of each fillet. This is my favorite part!
- Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know the cod is ready when it’s opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork. It’s so easy to make garlic butter steak bites but this is a much healthier version.
- Remove from the oven. Spoon the delicious, buttery pan sauce that has formed at the bottom of the dish over the fillets before serving.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Expert Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t skip patting the cod dry! This is my number one tip. Excess moisture can make the fish steam instead of bake, leading to a watery sauce and less-than-perfect texture.
- Use fresh ingredients. The fresh lemon juice and minced garlic are the stars of this show. Jarred alternatives just won’t give you that bright, vibrant flavor.
- Don’t overcook the fish. Cod is very lean and can dry out quickly. Start checking on it around the 15-minute mark. The key is to look for that flaky texture with a fork.
- Get to know your oven. Ovens can vary, so the cooking time might be slightly different for you. If you’re a little unsure, a meat thermometer is a game-changer; the internal temperature should be 145°F.
- Spice it up! You can add a pinch of smoked paprika, a dash of dried dill, or a little bit of red pepper flakes to the garlic mixture for a little extra kick.
What to Serve With Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod
- Roasted Asparagus or Broccoli: These vegetables roast at the same temperature as the cod, so you can cook them on a separate pan at the same time for a simple, healthy side.
- Creamy Risotto: The rich sauce from the fish pairs beautifully with a creamy pasta.
- Quinoa or Brown Rice: A simple, earthy grain is the perfect base to soak up all that delicious butter sauce.
- A Simple Side Salad: A light salad with a vinaigrette dressing is a great way to balance the richness of the butter.
Storing and Reheating Tips
This is one of those recipes that holds up really well! Simply store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use the microwave on a low setting for 1–2 minutes, or for the best texture, place it in an oven-safe dish with a little extra lemon juice or chicken broth and bake at 300°F until warmed through.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving (of 4)
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 215mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods.
FAQs About Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce
How do you bake lemon and garlic cod?
To bake baked lemon-garlic cod, you’ll first coat the fish in a mixture of fresh lemon juice, olive oil, and minced garlic. Then, scatter diced butter and thin lemon slices over the top and bake at 400°F (200°C) until the fish is flaky and cooked through.
Is it better to bake cod, covered or uncovered?
It’s better to bake cod uncovered. Baking uncovered allows the butter sauce to bubble and reduce slightly, creating a more flavorful, concentrated sauce and ensuring the fish bakes rather than steams, resulting in a perfectly flaky texture.
How long to cook cod in lemon butter sauce?
For this recipe, you cook the cod in lemon butter sauce for about 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F. The best way to tell it’s done is to check if it flakes easily with a fork; that means it’s perfectly cooked.
What are some common mistakes when baking cod?
A common mistake when baking cod is overcooking it, which makes the fish dry and rubbery. Another is not patting the fish dry first, which can cause it to steam in the oven.
What temperature is best for baking cod?
For this baked lemon-garlic cod, I find that 400°F (200°C) is the perfect temperature. It cooks the fish through quickly while keeping it incredibly moist and tender.
What’s a good seasoning for cod?
For this recipe, the combination of salt, black pepper, garlic, and lemon is all you need! It creates a vibrant, simple flavor that highlights the freshness of the fish.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this chicken stir fry recipe a try. It’s one of those recipes that will become a dependable go-to for you, just as it has for me. Nothing makes me happier than sharing these simple, joyful recipes with you. Can’t wait to see your photos!
Pin this recipe to your favorite board and let me know how it turned out in the comments below. Happy cooking!
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The Best Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Tender, flaky cod fillets baked in a vibrant lemon-garlic and butter sauce. A light, flavorful, and incredibly easy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds cod loin fillets, patted dry
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste
¼ cup unsalted butter, diced into small pieces
1 small lemon, thinly sliced (for topping)
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
Place the patted-dry cod fillets in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Season both sides generously with salt and black pepper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and minced garlic.
Pour the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the top of the cod fillets.
Scatter the diced butter pieces evenly over the fillets. Arrange the thin lemon slices on top.
Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cod is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork.
Remove from the oven. Spoon the buttery pan sauce over the fillets. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t skip patting the cod dry! This is my number one tip. Excess moisture can make the fish steam instead of bake, leading to a watery sauce and a less-than-perfect texture.
Use fresh ingredients. The fresh lemon juice and minced garlic are the stars of this show. Jarred alternatives just won’t give you that bright, vibrant flavor.
Don’t overcook the fish. Cod is very lean and can dry out quickly. Start checking on it around the 15-minute mark.
Spice it up! You can add a pinch of smoked paprika, a dash of dried dill, or a little bit of red pepper flakes to the garlic mixture for a little extra kick.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5g
- Sodium: 215mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: baked cod, lemon garlic cod, butter sauce, fish recipe, easy dinner, healthy dinner, weeknight meal