Baked Cod Recipe

Perfect Garlic Butter Baked Cod: Ready in 20 Minutes!

When the question "what's for dinner?" arises, this baked cod recipe is the ultimate answer. It's an elegant yet stunningly simple dish that proves you don't need hours in the kitchen to create a light, healthy, and incredibly delicious meal. It is a foolproof method for achieving restaurant-quality results with minimal effort, making it a true kitchen hero for any night of the week.

The magic lies in the luscious garlic butter sauce that blankets the tender cod, infusing it with flavor as it bakes to flaky perfection. This recipe is not only fast, coming together in under 30 minutes, but it's also a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Prepare to add this to your regular rotation; it’s a dish you’ll return to again and again.

Why Make This Delicious Recipe & When to Serve It

This recipe delivers effortless elegance. It strikes the perfect balance between being simple enough for a hectic weeknight and sophisticated enough for a special occasion. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a total cook time of around 20 minutes, a gourmet meal is always within reach.

It's a healthy and crowd-pleasing choice for the whole family. Cod is a fantastic source of lean protein and is naturally low in fat, making it a wonderfully wholesome option. Its mild, delicate flavor is never overpowering, which makes it a favorite among adults and even those who are typically hesitant about fish.

This baked cod is perfect for almost any occasion. Serve it as a quick and nourishing weeknight dinner, a cozy weekend meal with loved ones, a light and satisfying lunch, or even as the centerpiece for an elegant dinner party or family gathering.

Basic Ingredients (Serves 4)

Cod Fillets: 4 (6-ounce) cod fillets, about 1-inch thick. Using fillets of a similar, substantial thickness is key to ensuring they all cook through evenly, resulting in a perfectly moist and flaky texture for every portion.
Unsalted Butter: 4 tablespoons, softened to room temperature. Starting with unsalted butter gives you complete control over the final seasoning, while its rich creaminess adds essential moisture and helps create a luscious pan sauce.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons. This partners with the butter to create a more spreadable and smooth compound butter, adds a subtle fruity flavor, and helps prevent the butter from browning too quickly under the oven's heat.
Fresh Garlic: 4 cloves, minced. Using freshly minced garlic is essential for achieving the robust, aromatic flavor that forms the heart of this dish. It infuses the butter and fish with a savory depth that garlic powder simply cannot replicate.
Fresh Parsley: 2 tablespoons, finely chopped, plus more for garnish. Fresh parsley provides a vibrant pop of green for visual appeal and a clean, herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the butter, brightening the dish's overall flavor profile.
Paprika: ½ teaspoon. A touch of sweet paprika does more than just add a beautiful warm hue to the pale cod; it also contributes a subtle, sweet-peppery flavor note that adds another layer of complexity to the seasoning.
Salt & Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. These fundamental seasonings are crucial for amplifying all the other flavors in the recipe and bringing the mild, delicate taste of the cod to life.
Fresh Lemon: 1 large lemon. Half of the lemon will be thinly sliced and placed over the fish to infuse it with bright citrus notes as it bakes, while the other half is cut into wedges for a final, zesty spritz at the table.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Preheat and Prep the Dish: First, position an oven rack in the middle and preheat your oven to a hot 400°F (205°C). This high heat is essential for cooking the fish quickly, which keeps it moist and tender. Select a baking dish, such as a 9x13-inch glass or ceramic dish, that is just large enough to hold the 4 cod fillets in a single layer without them touching.
Pat the Fish Dry: This step is absolutely critical for achieving the best texture! Use paper towels to gently pat each of the 4 cod fillets completely dry on all sides. Removing this excess surface moisture ensures the garlic butter mixture adheres properly and prevents the fish from steaming in the oven, which can result in a soft, mushy texture instead of a flaky one.
Create the Garlic Butter: In a small bowl, combine the 4 tablespoons of softened butter, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, ½ teaspoon of paprika, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Use a fork to mash and stir these ingredients together until you have a smooth, well-combined, and easily spreadable paste.
Coat the Cod and Arrange: Place the fully dried cod fillets into your prepared baking dish. Divide the garlic butter paste evenly among the fillets, using a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it generously over the top surface of each one. Cut half of the 1 lemon into thin slices and lay one or two slices directly on top of each butter-coated fillet to infuse them with flavor as they bake.
Bake to Flaky Perfection: Place the dish into the fully preheated oven and bake, uncovered, for 12-15 minutes. The exact cooking time will vary depending on the precise thickness of your fillets. The cod is perfectly cooked when its color changes from translucent to opaque and it flakes easily when gently prodded with a fork. Be careful not to overcook, as this is the key to tender fish.
Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven. You will see a pool of delicious, melted garlic butter at the bottom of the pan; spoon some of this liquid gold over the fish fillets. Garnish with a final sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness, and serve immediately with the remaining lemon half cut into wedges for squeezing over each portion.

Tips for the Perfect Recipe

Choose the Right Fillet: For the most forgiving results, look for cod fillets or loins that are about 1-inch thick. Thicker, more uniform cuts are less likely to dry out and will cook more evenly from edge to center.
Don't Skip the Drying Step: Patting the fish thoroughly dry with paper towels is the professional secret to a great texture. It allows the garlic butter to adhere properly and prevents the fish from becoming watery or steaming as it cooks.
Use Room Temperature Butter: Starting with softened, room-temperature butter is a small detail that makes a big difference. It allows you to create a smooth, homogenous paste that spreads easily over the cold fish fillets without clumping.
Trust the Thermometer: For guaranteed perfect, juicy cod every time, use an instant-read thermometer. The fish is perfectly done when the internal temperature reaches 140-145°F (60-63°C) in the thickest part. Pulling it from the oven at 140°F is ideal, as it will continue to cook slightly from residual heat.
Don't Overbake: This is the most important rule when cooking any fish. Overcooked cod becomes tough, dry, and rubbery. Watch it closely toward the end of the cooking time; as soon as it flakes easily with a fork, it's ready to come out of the oven.

Serving Ideas

Classic & Comforting: Serve the baked cod and its delicious pan sauce alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a bed of fluffy rice pilaf. These starchy sides are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the garlic butter.
Light & Healthy: For a nutritious and well-rounded meal, pair the fish with simple roasted vegetables like asparagus, broccoli, or green beans. A fresh Mediterranean or Greek salad also provides a crisp, refreshing contrast.
A Touch of Green: A simple side of sautéed spinach with a hint of garlic is a classic and elegant pairing that complements the flavors of the cod beautifully without overwhelming it.
Fresh Garnishes: While the recipe calls for parsley, feel free to get creative. A final sprinkle of finely chopped chives, fresh dill, or thinly sliced green onions can add another delightful layer of fresh flavor right before serving.

Tips for Storing and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

Cool Promptly: To ensure food safety, allow the cooked cod to cool to room temperature on the counter, but for no longer than two hours, before you store it.
Airtight is Right: Place the cooled leftovers in a shallow, airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. This is crucial for preventing the fish from drying out and stopping fishy odors from taking over your refrigerator.
Refrigerate or Freeze: Properly stored, the baked cod will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked fillets for up to 3 months, though the delicate texture may change slightly upon thawing.

Reheating Tips

Low and Slow is the Way to Go: The best method to reheat cod without it becoming dry or rubbery is gently in the oven. Place the fish in a baking dish, add a splash of water or broth to create steam, cover loosely with foil, and warm in a preheated 275-325°F (135-160°C) oven for 10-15 minutes, until just heated through.
Avoid the Microwave (If Possible): Microwaving can very easily overcook fish, compromising its texture and creating strong odors. If it's your only option, use a low power setting (30-40%) in short 30-second intervals, with the fish covered and a splash of water added to the dish to retain moisture.

Conclusion

This garlic butter baked cod is a testament to the beauty of simple, high-quality ingredients. It effortlessly transforms a humble fillet of fish into a stunningly flavorful, flaky, and healthy meal that can be on your table in less time than it takes to order takeout. We encourage you to give this recipe a try and discover just how easy it is to make elegant, satisfying food right in your own kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use frozen cod for this recipe?

A: Yes, absolutely! Just ensure the cod is completely thawed before you begin. The best method is to thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. For a quicker option, place the vacuum-sealed fillets in a bowl of cold water for about 15-30 minutes until they are no longer frozen.

Q: How do I prevent my baked cod from being dry?

A: The three keys to moist cod are using enough fat (the butter and olive oil mixture), cooking at a high temperature for a shorter time, and not overbaking. Pull the fish from the oven as soon as it flakes easily or an instant-read thermometer registers 140-145°F in the thickest part.

Q: What's the difference between cod loin and cod fillet?

A: Cod loin is cut from the thickest, middle section of the fish and is considered the prime cut due to its uniform thickness, which helps it cook very evenly. Regular fillets are vertical cuts that can vary in thickness, but both are delicious and work beautifully for this recipe.

Q: Does cod have a strong "fishy" taste?

A: No, cod is celebrated for its very mild, clean, and slightly sweet flavor. This makes it an incredibly versatile fish and a perfect choice for those who do not enjoy stronger-tasting seafood. The lemon and garlic in this recipe further ensure a fresh, delicious result.