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Home » 30 Minute Meals » Buttery Lemon Garlic Baked Cod

Buttery Lemon Garlic Baked Cod

Created: May 19, 2021 Updated: May 19, 2021 by Lyuba Brooke 7 Comments *This post may contain affiliate links. Read More...

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This is a delicious buttery Baked Cod recipe that has a simple and delicious seasoning combination along with savory garlic and fresh lemon flavors. This cod is lightly coated with seasoned flour, seared until golden, and finished off in the oven until perfectly cooked and juicy. This cooking method makes it a little crispy on the outside, and wonderfully juicy and tender on the inside.

Several cod fillets are in a large black skillet.

Baked Cod

Cod is a fish that is often underutilized and under-appreciated in many kitchens. With so many seafood dishes centered around fish like salmon, tilapia, and tuna, it’s time to start enjoying the truly delicious experience of baked cod!

Even if you’re not a big seafood fan, you’ll most likely still love this simple baked cod recipe. As much as I enjoy seafood, I’m also not a fan of that “fishy” odor and taste that some fish dinners can have. With cod, that’s almost never an issue – especially when you use this method of cooking. Every time I bake cod in this fashion, my results are always fantastic.

Cod has a delicate, mild flavor that makes it able to adapt to an array of different seasonings and cooking techniques. The texture of it is flaky and tender. If cod sounds like the fish for you, then be sure to also make my Lemon Herb Butter Cod with Asparagus and Tomatoes!

Ingredients for Baked Cod

The ingredients for baked cod are placed on a wooden cutting board.

For the cod, you will need:

  • Cod Filets – make sure to have the best quality of cod to get the best taste and no fishy scent.
  • Canola Oil – Just a splash of canola oil is needed to sear the fish. However, in a pinch, vegetable oil will work as well as it is also neutral flavored.
  • Butter – Butter is needed to bake the fish and give it that wonderful buttery flavor and texture. It’s best to use unsalted butter but if all you have is salted, make sure to reduce amount of salt in other parts.
  • Lemon – use the juice of one fresh lemon to really enhance and compliment the natural flavors of the cod. If possible, use a freshly squeezed lemon and not the bottled store-bought lemon for the best flavor.
  • Garlic – When paired with the butter and lemon, garlic has a powerful, yet complimentary flavor for the cod. As much as I love garlic, I recommend not using any more than 3 cloves, or you risk the garlic overpowering the other ingredients.
  • Parsley – Using freshly minced parsley as a garnish is the best way to really bring this dish together. It not only does wonders for presentation, but it also provides a light earthy taste that accompanies the other flavors perfectly.

The cod seasoning:

  • All Purpose Flour – Just plain all purpose flour is all you need here. However, you can also make this recipe gluten free by using a gluten free flour instead if you’d like!
  • Paprika – paprika provides a wonderful bright color and almost sweet flavor to the seasoning.
  • Garlic Powder
  • Onion Powder
  • Salt and Pepper – Avoid using too much salt if you used salted butter. Also, always opt for freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.

How to Make Baked Cod

Uncooked cod is coated in flour and placed on a sheet of parchment paper.

Start by preheating you oven to 400°F. While that’s heating up, prepare your cod!

Combine the flour and seasoning, being sure to really mix them well.

Before seasoning the filets, pat them dry with a paper towel, then add just a little bit of salt and pepper to them.

Evenly coat the filets with the homemade seasoning mix and flour.

Cod is being seared in a large skillet.

Before you can bake the cod, you need to sear it. Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat, then add the oil.

Sear the filets for about a minute on each side, until they’re nice and golden in color.

Butter is being heated up in a skillet.

Use a fish spatula to carefully remove the golden filets from the skillet and them set aside. Lower the heat on the stovetop.

Add butter to the pan and then garlic, once it’s melted. Sear garlic until fragrant, then add the fresh lemon juice.

Filets are being cooked in a buttery sauce in the skillet.

Stir the lemon juice, garlic, and butter well, then add the fish back into the skillet.

Transfer the pan into the oven and bake the cod for about 8-10 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the meat turns completely opaque, flakes easily, and the internal temperature reaches 145°F.

Parsley is garnishing cod filets.

Why coat the fish with flour?

Coating the cod lightly with a flour mixture helps it get brown and a little crispy on the outside, while also sealing the juices on the inside to make it perfectly tender. This technique works best for pan-seared flaky fish, but also works well for baking it or finishing it in the oven.

Health Benefits of Cod

  • Just one filet of cod has about 40g of protein.
  • Cod is rich with omega-3 fatty acids, which is excellent for cardiovascular health.
  • This fish has a very small amount of fat.
  • Cod has a high amount of vitamin B12.

What to Serve with Cod

I love serving this cod with vegetables, salads, and a slightly heartier side dish as well. Here are a few of my go-to side dishes!

  • Caesar Salad
  • Parmesan Brussels Sprouts
  • Oven Roasted Potatoes
  • Mashed Potatoes
Butter sauce is being drizzled over a fillet with a spoon.

Can I use frozen cod filets?

Of course you can! Just make sure to completely thaw it first before cooking. Thaw it slowly, overnight in the refrigerator for the best results in texture.

More seafood recipes to enjoy!

Blackened Salmon – a perfectly easy, 20-minute salmon recipe coated in a rich combination of herbs and spices and seared in a pan.

Scallops with Cream Sauce – scallops are seared until there are perfectly cooked with a golden crust and then, cook the sauce in the same pan and toss it with your favorite pasta.

Avocado Shrimp Salad – shrimp salad is made with delicious boiled shrimp, fresh avocado, fresh dill weed, green onions, and some celery for added crunch.

Crab Cakes – classic Maryland style crab cakes feature jumbo lump crab meat, lemon, parsley, a little filler to keep them together and a touch of spice from cayenne pepper.

Cod fillets are fully cooked in a large black skillet.

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Cod fillets are fully cooked in a large black skillet.

Baked Cod

Delicious buttery Baked Cod recipe that has a simple and delicious seasoning combination along with savory garlic and fresh lemon flavors.
5 from 5 votes
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Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 369kcal
Author: Lyuba Brooke

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs cod filets
  • 2 tbsp canola oil to sear fish
  • 3 tbsp butter to bake fish
  • 1 lemon – juice only
  • 3 garlic cloves pressed
  • fresh minced parsley to garnish

Seasoning For Cod:

  • 4 tbsp all purpose flour*
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt more or less to taste
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°.

Prepare the fish:

  • In a wide and shallow bowl, combine flour and seasonings and mix them well.
  • Pat each fish filet with a paper towel and season with a little bit of salt and pepper on both sides.
  • Dip each fish filet into the mixture, dusting it with flour mixture all around.

Sear the fish:

  • Use an oven-safe pan like a cast iron skillet or stainless steel pan to cook the fish.
  • Preheat the skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes first and then add oil. Allow oil to heat through for a couple of seconds, spread it all around the pan, and add fish fillets.
  • Sear fish fillets for about a minute on each side, until golden. Carefully, using a fish spatula, take fish out of the pan and set it aside for a minute. Lower the heat.
  • Add butter to the pan and once it's melted, add garlic. Sear garlic for a few seconds, until flagrant, and add lemon juice. Stir everything well and add fish back into the pan.

Baking cod:

  • Transfer the pan into the oven and bake cod for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness and size of the filets. You want to see cod turn completely opaque throughout. (If you want to take the internal temperature, fish could be cooked to 145°.)

Notes

*To make this recipe gluten free – use gluten free all purpose flour.

Nutrition

Calories: 369kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 120mg | Sodium: 781mg | Potassium: 1027mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 607IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @willcookforsmiles and tag #willcookforsmiles
title and collage image of two photos of pouring sauce on baked cod and baked cod in a pan

LYUBA

ABOUT LYUBA

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read more...

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Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Dinner, Gluten Free, Seafood

All images and text ©Lyubov Brooke for ©Will Cook For Smiles. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If using my posts in collections and features, please link back to this post for the recipe. Disclaimer: Nutrition information shown is not guaranteed to be 100% accurate as most ingredients and brands have variations.

Comments

  1. Tabea says

    August 28, 2023 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    I have never enjoyed fish, but when my daughter started eating I wanted to give her fish and I came across this recipe. Well now it’s a household favourite, we have it pretty much every other week! It’s so good, thank you!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      September 6, 2023 at 11:29 am

      I love hearing that, Tabea! So glad your family likes it!

      Reply
  2. Kelly Pascarelli says

    June 4, 2023 at 8:28 pm

    5 stars
    Fantastic recipe! We really enjoyed the light batter and lemon, definitely adding to the rotation. Thanks!

    Reply
    • LyubaB says

      June 7, 2023 at 10:46 am

      I am happy you liked it, Kelly!

      Reply
  3. Peter Parker says

    April 12, 2023 at 12:05 pm

    It was delicious, but I’m not sure it was, as you say “flagrnt”, but it was sure fragrant!

    Reply
  4. Karissa says

    March 27, 2023 at 7:37 pm

    This was the BEST cod recipe I ever made!!! Husband and toddler loved it too!!!

    Reply
  5. Tracy says

    March 22, 2023 at 1:55 pm

    5 stars
    I am trying to eat healthier so I tried this and it was really good!

    Reply

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Well, hey there!

I’m Lyuba Brooke, mother of 2, the cook, recipe developer, photographer, and author behind willcookforsmiles.com. I share many classic and original recipes, cooking tips, and tutorials. My passion is sharing delicious meals for everyone to try. Read More.

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