Description
This Lemon Butter Baked Cod recipe offers a simple, flavorful way to enjoy tender, flaky cod fillets bathed in a zesty lemon butter sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, it’s a healthy and gluten-free main course that pairs beautifully with rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped)
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent the cod from sticking.
- Arrange cod fillets: Place the cod fillets in the prepared baking dish in a single layer, ensuring even cooking.
- Mix lemon butter sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, paprika, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
- Pour sauce over fish: Evenly pour the lemon butter mixture over the cod fillets, coating them well to infuse flavor.
- Bake the cod: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily with a fork, indicating it is fully cooked.
- Serve: Spoon some of the pan sauce over the cod before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Serve this baked cod with rice, roasted vegetables, or a green salad for a balanced and complete meal.
- If using frozen cod fillets, make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry to avoid excess moisture during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approximately 6 ounces)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
