This easy lemon garlic baked cod is tender, flaky and covered in a rich garlic butter sauce with plenty of fresh lemon and herbs. It tastes like a restaurant-quality seafood dinner, but it only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Cod is one of my favorite fish options for an easy weeknight dinner because it has a mild flavor that works beautifully with butter, garlic and lemon. Even family members who do not usually love fish may be surprised by how much they enjoy this simple baked cod recipe.
If you love easy seafood dinners, try my crispy homemade fish sticks, classic crispy fish fry or Better Than Olive Garden shrimp scampi next.
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Baked Cod
This is the kind of dependable dinner recipe you can make when you want something light and fresh without spending all night in the kitchen.
- Ready in about 20 minutes
- Made with simple ingredients
- Mild enough for the whole family
- Naturally low in carbohydrates
- Easy to make with fresh or frozen cod
- Buttery, garlicky and full of fresh lemon flavor
- Delicious with rice, potatoes, pasta or vegetables
- Elegant enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight
Ingredients
Cod Fillets
Use four cod fillets that are approximately the same size and thickness so they finish cooking at the same time. Cod loins are usually thicker and may need a few additional minutes in the oven.
Butter
Melted butter gives the sauce its rich, restaurant-style flavor. I recommend using unsalted butter so you have more control over the seasoning.
Olive Oil
A little olive oil keeps the butter from becoming too heavy and helps coat the fish evenly.
Fresh Lemon
Fresh lemon juice and zest give the cod a brighter flavor than bottled lemon juice. You can also add thin lemon slices to the baking dish for extra flavor and a prettier presentation.
Garlic
Freshly minced garlic is best here. Four cloves give the fish plenty of garlic flavor without overpowering the delicate cod.
Seasonings
Paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, salt and black pepper add flavor while still allowing the lemon and garlic to stand out.
Fresh Parsley
Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the cooked cod for color and a fresh herbal finish.
How to Make Lemon Garlic Baked Cod
Step 1: Prepare the Cod
Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
Pat the cod completely dry with paper towels. Removing the excess moisture helps the seasonings stick and prevents the sauce from becoming watery.
Arrange the fillets in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little room between each piece.
Step 2: Make the Lemon Garlic Butter
In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt and black pepper.
The mixture may separate slightly, which is completely normal.
Step 3: Season the Fish
Spoon the lemon garlic butter evenly over the cod fillets. Make sure some of the garlic and seasoning remains on top of each piece.
Arrange thin lemon slices around the fish, if desired.
Step 4: Bake the Cod
Bake the cod uncovered for 10–15 minutes. Thick cod loins may take closer to 18–20 minutes.
The cod is ready when it is opaque, flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at the thickest point. Cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the fillets, so begin checking them early.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Spoon some of the warm lemon garlic butter from the bottom of the baking dish over each fillet.
Sprinkle the cod with chopped parsley and serve immediately with fresh lemon wedges.
How Long Do You Bake Cod at 400°F?
Most cod fillets take approximately 10–15 minutes to bake at 400°F. Thick cod loins may require 15–20 minutes.
A general guideline is to allow approximately 10 minutes of cooking time for every inch of thickness. However, an instant-read thermometer is the most reliable way to check the fish.
Cod is fully cooked when it reaches 145°F and separates easily into moist flakes. This temperature guidance aligns with the USDA’s recommendation for fin fish. USDA Food Safety
Tips for Perfectly Flaky Baked Cod
Pat the Fish Dry
Cod can hold quite a bit of moisture, especially after being frozen. Pat every fillet thoroughly with paper towels before seasoning it.
Use Similar-Sized Fillets
Choose fillets that are approximately the same thickness. If one piece is much thinner, remove it from the oven before the thicker pieces finish.
Do Not Overbake the Fish
Cod becomes dry when it is cooked for too long. Begin checking thinner fillets after about 10 minutes.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice
Freshly squeezed lemon juice has a brighter, cleaner flavor than bottled juice and makes a noticeable difference in such a simple recipe.
Spoon the Sauce Over the Fish
Do not leave the garlic butter behind in the baking dish. Spoon it over the cod just before serving or drizzle it over rice, potatoes or vegetables.
Can You Bake Frozen Cod?
For the best texture, thaw frozen cod before baking it. Frozen fish releases water as it cooks, which can dilute the garlic butter and make the cod cook unevenly.
Thaw the cod overnight in the refrigerator. For a faster option, place the sealed fish in a bowl of cold water until thawed. Remove the fish from its packaging and pat it completely dry before seasoning.
If your cod is vacuum-sealed, follow the thawing directions printed on the package. Some manufacturers instruct you to remove the fish from the vacuum packaging before thawing for food-safety reasons.
Make It Your Own
This easy baked cod recipe can be adjusted to suit your family.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan over the cod before baking.
- Make it crispy: Add a light topping of seasoned panko breadcrumbs.
- Add some heat: Mix a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne into the butter.
- Use fresh herbs: Replace the dried oregano with fresh thyme, dill or rosemary.
- Try another fish: Use haddock, pollock, halibut or another firm white fish.
- Make it extra garlicky: Increase the garlic to five or six cloves.
- Add vegetables: Surround the fish with cherry tomatoes or very thin asparagus spears.
- Add capers: Scatter a tablespoon of drained capers around the fillets for a salty, briny finish.
What to Serve With Lemon Garlic Cod
The buttery lemon sauce makes this cod especially good with a side that can soak up all that flavor.
Try serving it with:
For an easy complete dinner, serve the cod over rice with roasted asparagus or broccoli and spoon the extra lemon garlic butter over everything.
PrintLemon Garlic Baked Cod
Tender, flaky cod fillets baked in a buttery sauce made with fresh lemon, garlic and herbs. This easy lemon garlic baked cod is ready in just 20 minutes for a simple weeknight seafood dinner.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Seafood
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Pescatarian
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets, about 5–6 ounces each
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced or cut into wedges for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a glass baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray.
- Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels. Arrange them in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between each fillet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper and 1 tablespoon of the parsley.
- Slowly pour the lemon garlic butter mixture over the raw cod fillets. Use a spoon to make sure the garlic and seasonings are distributed evenly over each piece.
- Arrange a few thin lemon slices around the cod.
- Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. Thick cod loins may need 15–20 minutes.
- Remove the cod from the oven when it is opaque, flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145°F at its thickest point.
- Spoon the warm lemon garlic butter from the bottom of the baking dish over the fish.
- Sprinkle with the remaining fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
- Thaw frozen cod completely before baking and pat it very dry to prevent a watery sauce.
- Use fillets of similar thickness so they finish cooking at approximately the same time.
- Begin checking thinner fillets after 10 minutes. Overcooked cod can quickly become dry.
- Haddock, pollock or another firm white fish can be substituted.
- Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- For a crispy variation, sprinkle seasoned panko breadcrumbs over the cod before baking.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Reheat gently in a covered baking dish at 300°F until warmed through.
How to Store and Reheat Leftover Cod
Allow the cod to cool, then transfer it to an airtight container. Refrigerate it for up to three days.
Reheat the fish gently so it does not dry out. Place it in a covered baking dish with a spoonful of the leftover sauce and warm it in a 300°F oven until heated through.
You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave at reduced power in short intervals.
I do not recommend freezing the cooked cod. Although it can be frozen, the delicate fish may become dry or watery after it is thawed and reheated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should cod be cooked to?
Cod should reach an internal temperature of 145°F at its thickest point. It should also appear opaque and separate easily when gently pressed with a fork.
Why is my baked cod watery?
Cod may release excess liquid if it was not thoroughly thawed and dried before baking. A crowded baking dish can also cause the fish to steam instead of bake.
Should baked cod be covered?
No. Bake the cod uncovered so the fish cooks evenly and the garlic butter remains flavorful. Covering the baking dish can trap excess steam.
Can I use bottled lemon juice?
You can, but fresh lemon juice is strongly recommended. Fresh juice and zest give the sauce a brighter flavor.
How do I know when cod is finished cooking?
The flesh should change from translucent to opaque and flake easily with a fork. Check the thickest part with an instant-read thermometer and remove the fish once it reaches 145°F.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
You can make the lemon garlic butter several hours ahead and refrigerate it. For the best texture, wait to pour it over the cod until you are ready to bake.
Final Thoughts
This lemon garlic baked cod proves that a flavorful seafood dinner does not need to be complicated. The fish turns out tender and flaky while the fresh lemon, garlic, butter and herbs create a simple sauce you will want to spoon over everything on the plate.
Keep a package of frozen cod in the freezer and you will always have the beginning of a quick, wholesome dinner that feels much more special than the effort it requires.
