Lemon Butter Baked Cod – Easy Baked Fish Recipes Healthy
If you're like me, you've probably stared into your fridge at 6 p.m. wondering what magical meal will appear next. Well, here's a secret: baked cod in lemon butter. It's the answer to the weeknight dinner panic. The kind of dish that feels fancy enough to impress, but comes together faster than your favorite sitcom rerun.
What I love about this recipe—besides the fact that it basically cooks itself—is how light, flaky, and flavorful it turns out. The lemon butter does all the heavy lifting. It melts over the cod like a dream, seeping into every flaky crevice without overpowering the natural flavor of the fish.
We keep it simple around here. No five-page ingredient lists or complicated prep steps. Just a few pantry staples, a splash of lemon, and boom—you've got a healthy, easy seafood dinner on the table in under 25 minutes. Oh, and it works perfectly with air fryer fish too, if that's more your style.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly oil it.
- Place the cod fillets in the dish. Pat them dry with a paper towel—this helps the butter stick.
- In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, and garlic.
- Pour the lemon butter mixture evenly over the cod.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
- Top with chopped parsley and serve immediately.