Baked Cod

Name: Baked Cod
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 4 cod fillets (½ lb per fillet); 2 tbsp lemon juice; 3 tbsp butter (melted); 1-2 cloves garlic (minced); ½ tsp paprika; salt & pepper to taste; fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges for garnish

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I love cooking with cod as it’s a delicious sweet white fish that takes next to no time to make and doesn’t have a fishy taste to it, making it perfect if you have picky kids. It also takes on flavors really well. Even with the simple ingredient list, this baked cod comes out buttery, garlicky, and citrusy. Tender and juicy, you’ll be making this cod on repeat! Want to make another fish recipe? Try my Air Fryer Salmon Recipe!

Key Ingredients You Need

Cod — To save time, purchase boneless skinless cod. The fish should be firm and moist. If the fillet looks like there’s a film over it, it is on the older side and dehydrated.
Lemon juice — Be sure to use freshly squeezed lemon juice and not bottled lemon juice for the brightest fresh flavor.

How to Make Baked Cod

Set of two photos showing melted butter drizzled over baked cod and topped with minced garlic.

Step 1: Place cod fillets in a baking dish and drizzle melted butter over the filets.

Step 2: Top the fish with minced garlic.

Set of two photos showing lemon being squeezed over top of cod and then seasoned.

Step 3: Squeeze a lemon on top of the fillets.

Step 4: Season the fillets with some salt and pepper.

Set of two photos showing paprika added to a baking dish with cod and then transferred to the oven.

Step 5: Finish off with some paprika.

Step 6: Bake for approximately 10 minutes at 400F or until the fish is cooked through.

Close up of a piece of baked cod with fresh herbs and a slice of lemon.

Tips For This Recipe

You can use regular paprika, smoked paprika, or sweet paprika.
I cook the fish to 145F; you can use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you do not have one, check if the fish is opaque and use a fork to see if the fillets will flake when pressed into it. Undercooked fillets will resist flaking.
If you want to add some crunchy texture to the fillets, you can add some Panko breadcrumbs on top of the cod before baking.
If your fillet has some moisture on it, be sure to pat it dry before you season it so the ingredients will stick better to the fish.
I love adding sliced lemon into the baking dish to impart more citrus flavor to the cod, but if you only have one lemon to juice, you can skip adding the slices.
If your cod is tough, it means it is overcooked. There isn’t anything you can do to undo it, but you could make a garlic butter sauce or a cream sauce to try to cover the dryness.

Overhead view of a baking dish with three pieces of code with lemon slices and fresh herbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use frozen fillets?

You can use frozen fillets if your options for fresh fillets are limited. Simply thaw the fillets in the fridge overnight and pat dry before using. If you forgot to thaw overnight, you could quick-thaw the fillets by running them under cold water.

What other variations can I try?

Feel free to change around the seasoning. Try onion powder, dried basil, dried oregano, Cajun seasoning, chili powder, and more. You can also swap the parsley for fresh basil, chives, or another fresh herb of your choice.

How do I store leftover fish?

Place leftover baked cod in an airtight container and store it for up to 2 days in the fridge. You can reheat the cod quickly in the microwave. You can also freeze leftover fish for up to a month.

What can I serve with this cod?

I love serving my baked cod with baked potatoes, a side salad, Tabbouleh, Vegetable Stir Fry, or seasoned rice. Since the fish is mild in flavor, it can go with any side of your choice without worrying about the flavors clashing.

IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE TRY THESE OUT!

If you’ve tried this Baked Cod Recipe, then don’t forget to leave me a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below!

Close up of a piece of baked cod with fresh parsley and slices of lemon around it.

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Baked Cod

Ready in less than 20 minutes, this Baked Cod is the perfect weeknight meal! It’s a foolproof recipe that will yield you flaky fish every single time. Even better, you only need household staples, so you’ll have dinner ready in no time.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 218kcal

Author: Justin Coit

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400F.
Place cod fillets in a baking dish and drizzle melted butter over the fillets.
Add the lemon juice onto the fillets and then season them evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and minced garlic.
Place in oven and cook for approximately 10 minutes until fully cooked and flaky. Cook time might vary depending on the thickness of your filet so keep an eye on it.
Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and lemon wedges or slices.

Video

Notes

You can use regular paprika, smoked paprika, or sweet paprika.
I cook the fish to 145F; you can use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature. If you do not have one, check if the fish is opaque and use a fork to see if the fillets will flake when pressed into it. Undercooked fillets will resist flaking.
If you want to add some crunchy texture to the fillets, you can add some panko breadcrumbs on top of the cod before baking.
If your fillet has some moisture on it, be sure to pat it dry before you season it so the ingredients will stick better to the fish.
I love adding sliced lemon into the baking dish to impart more citrus flavor to the cod, but if you only have one lemon to juice, you can skip adding the slices.
If your cod is tough, it means it is overcooked. There isn’t anything you can do to undo it, but you could make a garlic butter sauce or a cream sauce to try to cover the dryness.