Baked Cod Garlic Butter Herbs (Print version)

Delicate cod fillets baked with garlic butter and fresh herbs for a light, flavorful main dish.

# What you'll need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 cod fillets, skinless and boneless (5 oz each)

→ Garlic Butter

02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
03 - 3 garlic cloves, finely minced
04 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 tsp lemon zest

→ Herbs & Seasonings

06 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
07 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
08 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
09 - ½ tsp sea salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper
11 - ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

→ Garnish

12 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and arrange them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
04 - Brush the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cod fillets.
05 - Sprinkle salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika (if using) evenly over the fillets.
06 - Scatter chopped parsley, dill, and chives over the fillets.
07 - Bake in preheated oven for 15–18 minutes, or until cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
08 - Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • It transforms plain white fish into something restaurant-worthy without any tricky techniques or timing.
  • The garlic butter seeps into every flake, adding richness without heaviness or guilt.
  • You can have it on the table in under half an hour, even on your most exhausted nights.
  • Fresh herbs make it taste like spring no matter what season it actually is.
02 -
  • Do not skip drying the fish, or the butter will pool around it instead of clinging to the surface.
  • Check the cod at 15 minutes because thinner fillets cook faster and you cannot undo dryness once it happens.
  • Use fresh herbs if at all possible, dried versions make this taste like a completely different and far less magical dish.
03 -
  • Let the butter cool slightly before brushing it on so the garlic does not burn the moment it hits the oven.
  • If your fillets are uneven in thickness, fold the thinner tail ends under to create uniform pieces that cook evenly.
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon right before serving is non-negotiable, it pulls all the flavors into focus.

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