Baked Cod with Garlic Butter (Print View)
Flaky cod cooked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs for a light, savory dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (5.3 oz each)
02 - Salt, to taste
03 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garlic Butter
04 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Herbs
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
10 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
→ Optional Garnish
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Dry the cod fillets with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place fillets in a single layer in the baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, parsley, dill, and thyme until well combined.
04 - Spoon the garlic-herb butter evenly over each cod fillet, ensuring thorough coverage.
05 - Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
06 - Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh herbs and lemon wedges.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It comes together in 25 minutes flat, leaving you time to set the table and actually enjoy the person across from it.
- The garlic butter is subtle enough to let the fish shine, but rich enough that you'll find yourself spooning extra sauce over everything on your plate.
- It works whether you're cooking for yourself on a Tuesday or impressing someone on a Friday.
02 -
- Dry your cod fillets thoroughly or they'll steam instead of bake—this one small step is the difference between tender and waterlogged.
- Don't skip the lemon zest; it adds a brightness that bottled juice simply cannot replicate, and it's what makes people pause mid-bite and ask what's in this.
03 -
- Make the garlic butter mixture while the oven preheats—you'll have one fewer step when you're ready to plate, and the flavors will have a moment to get acquainted.
- If you're cooking for a crowd, you can prep everything up to the point of baking an hour or two ahead; cover and refrigerate, then add five extra minutes to the baking time.