This baked cod recipe options tender white fish in a zesty lemon garlic sauce that comes collectively in simply half-hour. Discover ways to bake cod completely with this system for flaky, flavorful outcomes.

Right here’s a home-run weeknight dinner that shocked me: this lemon garlic baked cod! To be sincere, I spent years avoiding cod as a result of I wasn’t certain how it might go over with my household. However this white fish is gentle, tender, and buttery in taste.
The secrets and techniques are fairly easy: excessive warmth, a vivid lemon-garlic sauce, and realizing precisely when to drag it from the oven. As somebody who loves Mediterranean weight-reduction plan recipes, it’s develop into a part of my weeknight rotation: and everybody at all times cleans their plates!
What Does Cod Style Like?
If you happen to’re on the fence about cod, I used to be as soon as there too. Seems, cod has a gentle, pure taste with out a lot of a “fishy” aftertaste. In reality, it’s much more gentle than salmon. It’s an excellent start line for individuals who assume they don’t like fish. Cod has a agency texture, with massive flakes, and is often firmer than different white fish like tilapia or halibut.
Cod could be very versatile and works in lots of several types of preparations: like baked, pan fried, grilled, and in fish tacos (my favourite!).
5 Star Reader Evaluations




“I made this for dinner tonight, and my husband and I beloved it! So good!” -Melissa




“Fast and simple to make, scrumptious to eat. Loads of protein to go together with the flavour.” -Kim
Key Components You’ll Want
This recipe retains issues easy! When you’ve acquired that cod, there are minimal elements:
- Cod fillets: Search for 1½ kilos whole, and once more: the fillets must be comparatively uniform in thickness if attainable.
- Lemon juice and zest: Contemporary lemon is required: it brings a zingy brightness.
- Garlic and shallot: These aromatics construct a savory basis. Mince each finely in order that they distribute evenly.
- Dried oregano: This provides an natural, barely Mediterranean notice that pairs nicely with the lemon and garlic. You probably have contemporary oregano, you need to use about 1 tablespoon rather than the dried.
- Smoked paprika: Only a sprinkle provides delicate depth and a good looking coloration on prime of the fish.
- Olive oil: This heart-healthy cooking oil is my go-to for baking fish: I additionally use it in my fashionable baked salmon and baked tilapia recipes.

The right way to Purchase Nice Cod
An important a part of making nice baked cod? Begin with an excellent piece of fish. We’ve been burned with just a few unhealthy items of cod, so right here’s what to know:
- Contemporary fish tends to be greatest. Some frozen cod we’ve tried has been sub-par, with a fishy aftertaste and watery texture. If you happen to can, nab a bit out of your native fish counter.
- Purchase wild caught if attainable. Fish that’s wild caught in your nation is often a sustainable alternative. There are additionally high quality choices in well-regulated farms; see this Seafood Watch Client Information.
- Search for even fillets. This ensures even cooking and prevents these skinny tail ends from overcooking when the thick components aren’t achieved.
The right way to Make Baked Cod
Baked cod is among the easiest methods to organize this delicately-flavored fish! It comes out tender and seasoned to perfection. There are only a few issues to notice (or leap to the recipe under):
- Let your fish come to room temp earlier than baking. You are able to do this whereas the oven preheats; simply pull the fish out the fridge. Cooking it from room temperature helps to make sure even cooking.
- Season the fish with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the salt and pepper proper onto the fish.
- Cowl with seasoning. This recipe incorporates a lemon garlic sauce made with olive oil, lemon juice, zest, minced garlic, shallot and dried oregano.
- Bake at 400°F. Excessive warmth bakes it to perfection.
- Bake 17 to twenty minutes, or till the interior temperature is 130°F. Cod is just not almost as sensitive as salmon, so you possibly can approximate with out a thermometer. Cook dinner till it’s simply flaky!

Seasoning Variations
Need to combine it up a bit of? There are some nice different seasoning variations to attempt! Skip the lemon garlic sauce and add these seasonings together with the desired portions of olive oil and salt:
- Mexican-Fashion Cod: Skip the lemon-garlic sauce and toss the cod with 2 tablespoons of my Fish Taco Seasoning earlier than baking. Serve with Fish Taco Slaw and heat tortillas.
- Cajun Cod: Paint the fish with olive oil and coat with 1 to 2 tablespoons of selfmade Cajun seasoning. This provides you a spicy, daring taste that pairs completely with rice.
- Blackened Cod: Use Blackened seasoning for a milder model of the Cajun method.
- Parmesan Crusted Cod: Substitute cod for tilapia in my Parmesan Crusted Tilapia recipe.
For extra with this fish, attempt extra of my favourite 20 Cod Recipes, like Fast Cod Fish Tacos or my fashionable Pan Fried Cod.
What to Serve with Baked Cod
This fish is weeknight-friendly sufficient that sides don’t should be difficult. I often have one thing cooking on the stovetop or make a contemporary salad whereas the cod bakes:
- Strive simple salads like arugula salad or kale salad.
- Make grains like seasoned quinoa, polenta, or jade rice.
- Whip up my final sauteed greens, sauteed peppers or sauteed peppers and onions on the stovetop
- Combine up super-quick sauteed cabbage or peas with lemon.
Storage and Reheating
Leftover baked cod shops nicely. Refrigerate leftovers for as much as 3 days. To reheat, place in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, coated with foil. You too can flake the leftover cod into pasta or a grain bowl, or make it into one thing like a Salmon Salad Sandwich (however with cod).
I don’t suggest freezing cod as a result of the feel breaks down when thawed.
Dietary Notes
This baked cod recipe is gluten-free, pescatarian and dairy-free.
Baked Cod with Lemon
This actually is one of the best baked cod! The fish comes out completely tender, seasoned with lemon, garlic and herbs. Everybody loves this fast and wholesome weeknight dinner surprise.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 20 minutes
- Complete Time: half-hour
- Yield: 4
- Class: Foremost Dish
- Technique: Baked
- Delicacies: American
- Weight-reduction plan: Gluten Free
Components
- 1 1/2 kilos cod (4 fillets), patted dry
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- Contemporary floor black pepper
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus zest of 1 lemon (plus lemon slices for garnish)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic (about 4 cloves)
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or paprika
- Chopped contemporary parsley, for garnish
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Pat the cod dry, then season it with the ¾ teaspoon kosher salt and contemporary floor black pepper, break up between the fillets.
- In a small bowl, stir collectively the lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, dried oregano, minced shallot, and minced garlic.
- Brush a little bit of the combination on the underside of a baking dish after which place the cod on prime. Brush every cod fillet liberally with the olive oil combination. Sprinkle the paprika evenly between the fillets.
- Place the baking dish within the oven and bake for 17 to twenty minutes (relying on the thickness of the fish), till the fish is flaky and the interior temperature is 130°F when measured with a meals thermometer. Garnish with chopped parsley and if desired, lemon slices.
Notes
Storage and reheating notes: Refrigerate leftovers for as much as 3 days. To reheat, place in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes, coated with foil. You too can flake the leftover cod into pasta or a grain bowl, or make it into one thing like a Salmon Salad Sandwich (however with cod). I don’t suggest freezing cod as a result of the feel breaks down when thawed.




