Lemon Butter Baked Cod

5 from 4 votes

This Lemon Butter Baked Cod is made with simple and flavorful ingredients. You'll love the fresh taste of parsley and lemon on top of buttery flaky cod fillets.

Prep Time5

Cook Time14

Total Time19

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: fillets

Calories: 243kcal

Author: Olena Osipov

Ingredients

4 6 oz cod fillets
4 tbsp unsalted butter softened
2 garlic cloves pressed
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 fresh lemon sliced
2 tbsp parsley finely chopped

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

First, preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Then, in a small bowl, mix butter, garlic, paprika, basil, salt and pepper. Set aside.
Take out 4 (6 ounce) fresh cod fillets and pat the extra moisture off of them using a paper towel. If they are frozen, make sure to thaw them out completely.
Then generously season the top and bottom of each fillet with salt and pepper.
Place the seasoned cod fillets into a small deep baking dish then evenly distribute the butter mixture on top.
Place a slice of lemon on top of each cod fillet and bake in the oven at 400 degrees F for about 14-15 minutes or until the cod is at least 145 degrees F in the center of the fish. A good way to tell your cod is fully cooked is when it is opaque and easily flaked with a fork.
Garnish the baked cod with 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley. Serve with a side of vegetables, pasta, or rice.

Notes

Store: To store baked cod, place it in an airtight container. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Reheat: Place cod in a pan on the stovetop over medium heat until warmed through. If it seems a little dry, you can use a bit of butter to help thin the sauce.
Make ahead: The garlic butter paste can be made ahead of time. I wouldn't recommend seasoning this fish too early since the salt and lemon juice will pull out too much moisture from the fish.
Can I use frozen cod? Yes, you can use frozen cod in this recipe. When you do, be sure to allow the fillets to completely thaw before you pat off moisture and prepare them for cooking.
How long does cod bake in the oven? This Lemon Butter Baked Cod will take about 14-15 minutes to fully cook if you are using 6 oz. fillets as I did. Anything smaller would take less time, and larger fillets would take a little longer.
How to tell if cod is done? The most accurate way to tell if your cod is done is with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also tell by how it looks. If it is opaque and easily flaked with a fork, it's done.

See recipe post for more tips and FAQs.

Nutrition