Juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, this Lemon Garlic Baked Cod is the perfect weeknight dinner. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s packed with flavor and so versatile—serve it with long grain white rice, fluffy homemade mashed potatoes, or even use it in cod fish tacos for a delicious twist.
This Lemon Garlic Baked Cod is everything you want in a simple yet mouthwatering meal. Whether you're cooking for a busy weeknight or preparing a special dinner, this recipe is a total winner.
You simply pop the cod in the oven and let it bake to perfection, all while you focus on other things. It’s a perfect solution for anyone looking to enjoy a healthy, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Want more sheet pan dinners like this one? The Shrimp and Vegetable Sheet Pan Dinner is such a winner.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Flavor Balance: The combination of garlic and lemon is a match made in heaven for cod. Sautéing the garlic softens its sharpness, while the lemon adds a refreshing, zesty kick that complements the mild fish beautifully.
- Quick & Easy: This recipe is a total time-saver! You can bake the cod all at once, freeing up your hands to work on sides or other components of the meal. No need for frying in batches—everything cooks together seamlessly.
- Versatile & Customizable: Swap in different herbs or use lime instead of lemon for a fun twist. You can serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, or even use it in fish tacos!
Ingredients
- cod - Fresh cod is always the best choice for this recipe, but frozen cod will work in a pinch.
- butter+olive oil - While you can use either butter or olive oil on its own, I love the combination of both for the perfect balance of richness and flavor. The butter adds a nice creaminess, while the olive oil helps to keep things light. This mixture is used to sauté the garlic and to drizzle over the fish before baking.
- garlic - The garlic adds such a wonderful savory flavor to the fish.
- lemon zest + lemon juice - Both lemon zest and juice are key to bringing that bright, zesty kick to the dish. The zest adds a fragrant, citrusy aroma that really enhances the flavor of the fish, while the juice gives it that refreshing tartness.
The complete list of ingredients and their exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Recipe Variations
- Switch Up the Fish: If you're looking to switch it up, you can use other firm white fish like haddock, halibut, tilapia, pollock, or sole. I've even used this method for salmon and steelhead trout.
- Add Shallots for Extra Flavor: If you’re a fan of shallots, toss them in along with the garlic for an extra layer of flavor. I do this in my Ultimate Baked Steelhead Trout recipe, and it’s absolutely delicious!
- Lime Instead of Lemon: Love lime? Try using lime zest and juice instead of lemon for a zesty twist. It pairs perfectly with seafood and gives you a fresh variation.
- Dry herbs and spices: You can use any of your favorite spices and seasoning blends. I used Trader Joe's Onion Salt and Aglio Olio. You can also add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
- Fresh herbs: You can keep it simple and stick with just parsley, or mix things up with a combination of herbs. My top favorites are dill and chives, which pair beautifully with fish. If you want to try something more aromatic, rosemary and thyme are fantastic options too. (Fresh herbs make a HUGE difference in how fresh and flavorful your food is. I always have some in my kitchen and here's the best way to store fresh herbs so they stay fresh twice as long AND are ready to be used.)
How To Make Lemon Garlic Baked Cod
Before you get started, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the fish inside.
- Step 1: Add the butter and olive oil to a pan and heat until melted. Once hot, add the minced garlic and cook gently.
- Step 2: Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and use a microplane grater to zest the lemon directly into the pan. The lemon juice (the volume of the liquid) will stop the cooking process and cool down the hot garlic mixture.
- Step 3: Arrange the cod fillets on a rimmed baking sheet. Season both sides of the fish fillets generously with salt, pepper, and your choice of dry herbs and spices.
- Step 4: Use a spoon to evenly drizzle the garlic-lemon mixture over the fish. Make sure the garlic is spread out, so every part of the fish gets a nice coating. Then, sprinkle the fish with fresh herbs, like parsley, dill, or chives.
- Step 5: Place the fish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes. To check for doneness, gently press the fish with a fork. If it flakes easily, it's ready.
- Step 6: Serve the fish with more fresh lemon juice and herbs. Enjoy!
Helpful Tips
Don't skip sauteing the garlic! While it might be tempting to skip this step and add it raw, sautéing garlic brings out its natural sweetness and mellows the flavor. This makes it much more delicious and eliminates any harshness. It makes. world of difference.
Be careful not to overcook the garlic—if it gets too dark, it will become bitter and unpleasant. Garlic cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it. Turn off the heat as soon as the garlic is just golden, as the residual heat in the pan will continue to cook it even after you remove it from the burner.
Using frozen cod? Just keep in mind that frozen fish tends to be a bit more watery when thawed and can sometimes become drier and tougher when cooked. It also has a stronger "fishy" flavor compared to fresh cod.
How To Serve
Once the fish is out of the oven, squeeze more fresh lemon juice over the top for a burst of brightness. Garnish with additional fresh herbs to add color and flavor.
For an added touch, you can place a slice of lemon on top of the fillets for a beautiful presentation. Just a heads-up: it's best not to add the lemon slices before baking, as the white pith can give the fish a bitter flavor. But once the fish is cooked, it’s the perfect garnish.
Serving Suggestions
This recipe is super versatile, so you can easily pair it with a variety of sides, such as homemade mashed potatoes or zucchini couscous. Add a simple vegetable or salad and it's a home run. We love it with Garlic Green Beans or my Crunchy Cabbage Cucumber Salad.
Or, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, try using the baked fish in Cod Fish Tacos—it’s a hit at big gatherings! We make this dish often when we're on family vacations because it’s easy to prepare and perfect for serving a crowd.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cod is a delicate fish, and you’ll know it’s ready when it flakes easily with a fork. You can test the fish by gently pressing it with a fork—if it flakes apart without resistance, it's done. Just be careful not to overcook it, as fish can dry out quickly.
Yes, you can use frozen cod, but make sure to thaw it completely before baking. Frozen fish is also really watery, so remove all the excess moisture and blot it dry before seasoning.
Absolutely! You can easily substitute it with other white fish like haddock, halibut, tilapia, or, sea bass, snapper, rainbow trout or even salmon are also great. Just keep in mind that different types of fish may require slight adjustments in cooking time, so be sure to check for doneness as you go. Here's a divine Orange Glazed Grilled Steelhead Trout recipe that has a similar technique.
While the cod is best served fresh, you can prepare the garlic-lemon mixture ahead of time, and spoon it over your seasoned cod. Store it in the refrigerator. Then simply bake and serve!
More Delicious Cod Recipes
Baked Cod Video Tutorial
If you tried this Lemon Garlic Baked Cod recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating or a comment below. I love hearing from you!
Lemon Garlic Baked Cod
Ingredients
- 8-10 skinless cod fillet portions about 4-6 oz each
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4-6 garlic cloves minced
- salt ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 teaspoons dry herbs and/or seasoning blends garlic powder, onion powder, dry chives, parsley, paprika, etc.
- 2 lemons zest and juice of one lemon for the garlic mixture, the second lemon for serving
- 1 Tablespoon fresh parsley minced (or to taste) dill, chives, rosemary, thyme are also good options
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Ensure the oven is fully preheated before placing the fish inside.
- In a pan, melt butter and olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant and slightly golden, about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the garlic—if it gets too dark, it will become bitter. Turn off the heat once the garlic is golden, as it will continue cooking from the residual heat.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice into the pan and zest the lemon using a microplane (using one lemon). The lemon juice will stop the garlic from cooking further.
- Arrange the cod fillets on a rimmed baking sheet. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and your choice of dry herbs and spices.
- Spoon the garlic-lemon mixture evenly over the fish. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, like parsley, dill, or chives.
- Place the baking sheet in the oven and cook for about 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook, as fish can dry out quickly.
- Finish and serve. Once the fish is done, squeeze more fresh lemon juice over the top and garnish with extra fresh herbs. Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- When seasoning the fish, feel free to use your favorite dry herbs and spices. I personally love Trader Joe's Onion Salt and Aglio Olio seasoning. If using seasoning blends that contain salt, be mindful of how much additional salt you add. Other great options are Lemon Pepper and Old Bay.
- You can also experiment with different fresh herbs. In addition to parsley, I love dill and chives, but rosemary, thyme, or basil are also great. it's an easy way to create different flavors.
- If you're not a fan of cod, this recipe works wonderfully with other firm white fish such as halibut, tilapia, or haddock, sea bass, snapper, rainbow trout or even salmon for a slightly different taste.
- This recipe is perfect for Cod Fish Tacos—just cut the fish into portions and serve in soft tortillas with your favorite toppings.
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