Description
Succulent Lemon Butter Baked Cod promises Mediterranean coastal flavors with delicate white fish. Fresh herbs and citrus notes enhance this simple seafood classic you can easily prepare at home.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz / 170 g each)
- ¼ cup (60 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 tbsps fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme (or 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Lemon slices, for serving
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Lemon Butter Blend: Whisk together melted butter, olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined, creating a fragrant and flavorful sauce.
- Fish Arrangement: Place cod fillets in a single layer within the prepared baking dish, generously coating them with the lemon butter mixture to ensure complete coverage and maximum flavor infusion.
- Baking Process: Bake the cod in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, checking for doneness by gently testing with a fork – the fish should become opaque and easily flake when prodded.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish the baked cod with freshly chopped parsley and delicate lemon slices, serving immediately alongside complementary accompaniments like steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh garden salad.
Notes
Choose Fresh Cod: Select high-quality, fresh cod fillets with firm, translucent white flesh and minimal fishy odor for the best flavor and texture.
Control Moisture: Pat cod fillets completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to prevent steaming and ensure a crisp, golden exterior when baking.
Monitor Baking Time: Watch cod closely during cooking; overcooking leads to dry, tough fish, so remove from oven when fish turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Adjust Seasoning Flexibility: Customize lemon butter sauce by experimenting with herbs like dill, rosemary, or adding red pepper flakes for extra heat and personal preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 39 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg