Baked Cod is a simple, flavorful seafood dinner made with tender cod fillets, fresh lemon, garlic, and herbs. The fish bakes until moist and flaky, while a light coating of olive oil, butter, and seasonings adds plenty of flavor without overpowering the delicate cod.
This version comes together in one baking dish and needs only a few minutes of hands-on preparation. It is an easy weeknight meal that pairs well with roasted vegetables, rice, potatoes, or a crisp green salad.
Recipe at a Glance
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Additional Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 baked cod fillets
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty: Easy
What You Need Before You Start
- 9 x 13-inch baking dish
- Small bowl
- Measuring spoons
- Pastry brush or spoon
- Instant-read thermometer
Ingredients and Helpful Swaps
- ■ 4 cod fillets, about 6 ounces (170 g) each — patted dry
- ■ 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 mL) — divided
- ■ 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (28 g) — melted
- ■ 2 garlic cloves (6 g) — finely minced
- ■ 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (15 mL)
- ■ 1 teaspoon paprika (2 g)
- ■ 1 teaspoon dried parsley (1 g)
- ■ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (3 g)
- ■ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (0.5 g)
- ■ 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (4 g) — optional, for garnish
- ■ 4 lemon wedges — optional, for serving
How to Make Baked Cod
- Heat the oven. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
- Prepare the seasoning mixture. In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, dried parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper. The mixture should be loose and easy to brush over the fish.
- Arrange the cod. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and place them in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Leave a little space between the fillets so they cook evenly.
- Season the fish. Brush or spoon the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the cod fillets. Make sure the garlic and seasonings are distributed across the fish rather than concentrated in one spot.
- Bake the cod. Bake uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The fish is ready when it turns opaque and flakes easily when gently pressed with a fork.
- Check for doneness. For food safety, cook the thickest part of each fillet to 145°F (63°C) on an instant-read thermometer. If the fish is not yet at temperature, continue baking for 1 to 2 minutes at a time.
- Rest and garnish. Remove the cod from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the optional fresh parsley and serve with the optional lemon wedges.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- High-heat baking keeps the fish tender.
- Butter and olive oil add richness.
- Lemon brightens the dish.
- Garlic and herbs provide simple seasoning.
- A short resting period helps with serving.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
- Store leftover baked cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For the best texture, reheat gently in a 300°F (150°C) oven.
- You can prepare the seasoning mixture and arrange the cod in the baking dish several hours ahead; cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Liza's Best Kitchen Tips
- Do not overbake; cod can dry out quickly.
- Use a wide spatula to transfer the flaky fish gently.
- Check the thickest part of the fillet for doneness.
FAQ
Can I use frozen cod for this recipe?
Yes. Thaw frozen cod completely in the refrigerator and pat it very dry before seasoning.
How do I know when baked cod is done?
The fish should be opaque in the center, flake easily with a fork, and reach 145°F (63°C) in the thickest part.
Can I use another type of white fish?
Yes. Haddock, pollock, or another mild white fish can work well.
Why is my baked cod dry?
The most common reason is overcooking. Check the internal temperature near the end of the cooking time.
Can I make baked cod ahead of time?
You can assemble the seasoned raw cod several hours ahead and refrigerate it until ready to bake.
Baked Cod
Ingredients
Method
Method
- Heat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
- Prepare the seasoning mixture: In a small bowl, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, paprika, dried parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper. The mixture should be loose and easy to brush over the fish.
- Arrange the cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and place them in the prepared baking dish in a single layer. Leave a little space between the fillets so they cook evenly.
- Season the fish: Brush or spoon the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the cod fillets. Make sure the garlic and seasonings are distributed across the fish rather than concentrated in one spot.
- Bake the cod: Bake uncovered for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The fish is ready when it turns opaque and flakes easily when gently pressed with a fork.
- Check for doneness: For food safety, cook the thickest part of each fillet to 145°F (63°C) on an instant-read thermometer. If the fish is not yet at temperature, continue baking for 1 to 2 minutes at a time.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the cod from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with the optional fresh parsley and serve with the optional lemon wedges.
