Baked Cod with Garlic Butter (Print version)
Tender cod fillets baked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs and lemon zest.
# What you'll need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (approximately 5.3 oz each)
02 - Salt, to taste
03 - Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garlic Butter
04 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
05 - 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - Zest of 1 lemon
→ Herbs
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
10 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
→ Optional Garnish
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# How to make it:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange fillets in a single layer in the baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir in parsley, dill, and thyme until evenly mixed.
04 - Spoon garlic-herb butter evenly over the cod fillets, ensuring each piece is well coated.
05 - Bake in preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh herbs and lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert suggestions:
01 -
- It tastes restaurant-quality but comes together faster than ordering takeout.
- The garlic butter keeps the fish impossibly moist and tender, no dry flakes here.
- Works beautifully for both casual weeknights and when you want to impress someone.
02 -
- Don't skip patting the fish dry—moisture is the enemy of even cooking and nice presentation.
- Overcooked cod becomes rubbery; pull it out the moment it flakes, not a minute later.
- Fresh herbs matter here because they're doing half the work flavor-wise; if you only have dried, use half the amount and accept that the dish will taste different.
03 -
- Bring the fish to room temperature for 10 minutes before baking so it cooks more evenly throughout.
- Make the garlic butter mixture up to an hour ahead; it actually helps the flavors meld and makes assembly instant.