Baked Lemon Butter Cod (2024)

Coated in a super garlicky lemon butter sauce with just a bit of spice, this 20-minute Baked Lemon Butter Cod is the quick and easy weeknight recipe you’ve been waiting for! With literally almost no prep involved, this fish dish is light, healthy, and absolutely delicious!

Easy Baked Lemon Butter Cod Recipe

Want to know how to make tasty fish!?! Coat it in lemon butter sauce! It works every time and is one of the easiest ways to add loads of flavor to an ingredient that can sometimes be bland if not seasoned properly. Much like my Garlic Butter Baked Salmon, this recipe follows a similar flavor profile and cooking method. Yet, instead it’s made with white fish. So if you’re not a big fan of salmon, but like fish and lemon butter then this easy baked cod recipe is for you!

Another great thing about this baked lemon butter cod recipe is that you can use any type of white fish you like. So if you don’t have any cod on hand, no problem! Haddock works well as does even more affordable tilapia. You can also easily add other spices or herbs to the butter sauce. The recipe is really flexible.

Not to mention, it’s pretty healthy! Fish is a lean protein that is good for you and this dish can easily be paired with a side of Instant Pot Rice and Steamed Broccoli to keep things light. Or, you can go all out and pair it with some Potatoes Au Gratin, and a glass of white wine. It’s a lovely fish recipe that your whole family will enjoy!

• Cod – I like to use cod filets, but any type of white fish will work. Other good choices are haddock and tilapia.
• Butter – Always use unsalted butter to control the level of added salt.
• Garlic – For the best flavor, use freshly minced garlic cloves instead of jarred.
• Salt – Just a bit is needed to enhance the natural flavor of the fish.
• Garlic Powder – Works in combination with the fresh minced garlic to add even more garlicky goodness.
• Onion Powder – Using onion powder is a fantastic way to add a bit of flavor without much effort.
• Lemon – This recipe requires both the zest and juice of a fresh lemon. You can’t get away with using concentrated lemon juice in this case.
• Red Pepper Flakes – Adds just a hint of spice. This ingredient can be omitted if you prefer or you can use even more for extra spice.
• Parsley – Used to garnish the fish and add a bit of fresh herb flavor.

How To Make Baked Lemon Butter Cod

This is one of the easiest fish recipes! In just 20 minutes you can have a healthy main course. All you have to do is make a quick seasoned butter sauce, coat the filets, and bake!

Preheat The Oven

Before you begin, preheat your oven temperature to 400°F (204°C) so that it’s ready once the fish is prepped. Then grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and set it aside for now.

Season The Fish

First, you need to make a simple butter sauce. To do this, just combine the melted butter, fresh minced garlic, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, lemon zest, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes together in a medium bowl. Now, add the cod filets to the bowl and gently toss them around in the butter sauce until they are fully coated on all sides.

Bake The Fish

Now it’s time to bake! Lay the cod filets in a single layer in the 9×13-inch baking dish. Then cover them with the remaining butter mixture in the bowl. Next, place lemon slices on and all around the fish. Finally, transfer the fish to the preheated oven and bake it for 10 to 15 minutes. Then when the baked lemon butter cod is done, garnish it with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and serve it with lemon wedges.

What Temp Should Cod Be Cooked To?

Fish is considered cooked once it reaches 145°F (63°C) when checked with a digital cooking thermometer. White fish will also no longer look translucent and it will flake easily with a fork when it’s done.

Can I Use Frozen Fish?

Yes! But you should defrost the fish before starting this recipe. The butter sauce will not adhere to frozen fish filets and properly cook.

Storage

All fish is best eaten immediately after it’s made. However, baked lemon butter cod leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days in an airtight container. To reheat, just put it in the microwave on low for just a few minutes or in the oven at 350°F (177°C).

Other Great Fish Recipes To Try

• Fish Tacos
• Baked Thai Salmon
• Creamy Tuscan Salmon
• Air Fryer Salmon
• Salmon And Green Beans Sheet Pan Dinner
• Fish And Chips