Zesty Lemon Butter Baked Cod Recipe for Dinner Tonight

Crisp ocean breezes whisper through this delightful lemon butter baked cod that promises restaurant-quality magic in your kitchen.

Mediterranean coastlines inspired this simple yet elegant seafood dish bursting with zesty brightness.

Home cooks adore how quickly these tender fish fillets come together with minimal ingredients.

Delicate white cod transforms under a golden butter blanket, creating irresistible flavor combinations.

Fresh lemon slices dance across the surface, infusing each bite with citrusy warmth.

Weeknight dinners just became extraordinary with this foolproof recipe that impresses without complicated techniques.

You’ll want to savor every flaky, succulent morsel straight from the baking dish.

Simple Steps to Make Lemon Butter Baked Cod at Home

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to 400F (200C). Grab a baking dish and give it a quick spray with cooking oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Magical Sauce

• Melted butter
• Olive oil
• Fresh lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Lemon zest
• Paprika
• Dried thyme
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Arrange Fish Beauties

Gently place cod fillets in a single layer across the prepared baking dish. Pour the dazzling sauce over each piece, ensuring every inch gets lavished with flavor.

Step 4: Transform in Oven

Slide the dish into the hot oven. Let the cod bake for 12-15 minutes until the fish turns pearly white and breaks apart effortlessly with a fork. Keep an eye on thinner pieces to avoid overcooking.

Step 5: Dress and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top. Add a few lemon slices for extra zing. Plate alongside fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp green salad for a complete meal that’ll make taste buds dance.

Pro-Level Tips for Lemon Butter Baked Cod Perfection

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Gently massage the lemon butter sauce into the cod fillets before baking to ensure deep, even seasoning throughout the fish.
• Prevent Dryness: Check the cod early and remove from the oven the moment it becomes opaque to maintain its delicate, moist texture- overcooked fish can quickly become tough and rubbery.
• Smart Substitution for Dietary Needs: Swap butter with olive oil or dairy-free margarine for a lactose-free version, and use gluten-free seasonings to accommodate various dietary restrictions.
• Perfect Doneness Trick: Use a fork to test fish flakiness- when it separates easily and looks pearly white, the cod is perfectly cooked and ready to serve.
• Fresh Herb Enhancement: Experiment with additional herbs like dill or basil to complement the lemon butter sauce and add extra aromatic depth to the dish.

Keeping Lemon Butter Baked Cod Fresh for Next Day Meals

• Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The fish will remain fresh and maintain its delicate texture when properly sealed.
• Warm the cod in the oven at 275F for 10-12 minutes to prevent overcooking. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and prevent drying out.
• Skip microwave reheating as it can make the fish rubbery and tough. The delicate nature of cod requires gentle, indirect heat.
• Enjoy reheated cod within 24 hours for the best flavor and texture. Discard any leftovers that smell fishy or appear discolored.

What Complements Lemon Butter Baked Cod on the Plate

• Select a light, zesty Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio that complements the delicate fish and bright lemon flavors, cutting through the richness of the butter sauce.
• Prepare herbed quinoa with fresh parsley, dill, and a touch of lemon zest to echo the cod's citrusy profile and provide a nutritious, protein-packed accompaniment.
• Roast asparagus spears with olive oil, sea salt, and a sprinkle of lemon pepper to provide a green, slightly crunchy vegetable that enhances the fish's elegant texture.
• Craft a light salad with mixed greens, segmented oranges, grapefruit, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the buttery cod and add a refreshing citrus punch.

Ways to Switch Up Lemon Butter Baked Cod

• Gluten-Free Herb Cod: Replace regular butter with dairy-free margarine and use gluten-free spices to make the recipe safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Mediterranean Fish Option: Swap cod with halibut or sea bass, add chopped kalamata olives and sprinkle feta cheese before baking for a Greek-inspired variation.
• Low-Carb Protein Alternative: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or roasted zucchini noodles to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the delicious lemon butter flavor profile.
• Spicy Cajun Seafood Version: Incorporate cajun seasoning instead of paprika, add red pepper flakes, and include diced bell peppers for a zesty, southwestern-style baked fish dish.

Why Lemon Butter Baked Cod Works for Any Occasion

• Personalize the cod fillets with your favorite herbs or spices, making this recipe adaptable to different taste preferences.
• Whip up this delicious meal in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps that require minimal kitchen skills.
• Packed with lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, this cod dish offers a nutritious dinner option that's both light and satisfying.
• Perfect for impressing guests or creating a restaurant-quality meal at home without complicated techniques or extensive cooking time.

Ingredients That Go Into Lemon Butter Baked Cod

• Cod Fillets: Fresh, white fish with delicate flavor, perfect for baking and absorbing sauce flavors. Wild-caught or sustainably sourced cod recommended.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Rich, smooth base creating a luxurious coating for the fish. Use unsalted butter for better flavor control.
• Lemon Juice, Lemon Zest: Bright, tangy citrus notes that enhance the fish's natural taste. Fresh lemons provide the most vibrant flavor.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient adding depth and complexity to the sauce. Fresh minced garlic preferred over pre-chopped.
• Paprika: Mild, sweet spice providing subtle warmth and beautiful color. Smoked or sweet paprika work well.
• Thyme: Earthy herb complementing the fish's delicate flavor. Fresh thyme recommended for more intense taste.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings balancing and enhancing overall dish flavors. Freshly ground black pepper recommended.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb adding freshness and visual appeal. Chopped just before serving.
• Lemon Slices: Decorative and functional garnish offering extra citrus accent. Thinly sliced for best presentation.

Lemon Butter Baked Cod Recipe

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4.7 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired Lemon Butter Baked Cod promises delicate ocean flavors dancing with bright citrus notes. Fresh herbs and buttery sauce elevate this simple seafood dish, delivering restaurant-quality elegance you can easily recreate at home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 4 cod fillets (6 ounces / 170 grams each)

Butter and Oil Base:

• ¼ cup (60 grams) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves)
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• Lemon slices, for serving

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Instructions

1. Prepare the culinary workspace by calibrating the oven temperature to 400F (200C) and coating a baking vessel with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent adherence.
2. Craft a vibrant lemon butter elixir by amalgamating melted butter with olive oil, extracting citrus essence, incorporating aromatic garlic, zesting lemon rind, sprinkling paprika, infusing thyme, and seasoning with salt and pepper using a whisking motion until harmoniously blended.
3. Delicately position pristine cod fillets within the prepared baking dish, ensuring a single-layer arrangement and lavishing them with the previously created lemon butter mixture, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage.
4. Transfer the dressed fish into the heated oven, allowing it to transform for approximately 12-15 minutes, monitoring until the protein becomes translucent and effortlessly separates when gently prodded with a utensil.
5. Elevate the presentation by adorning the perfectly baked cod with verdant chopped parsley and elegant lemon medallions, creating a visually enticing dish ready to be accompanied by complementary sides such as fluffy rice, roasted vegetables, or a crisp garden salad.

Notes

• Ensure cod fillets are similar in thickness for even cooking, preventing some pieces from overcooking while others remain undercooked.
• Pat fish dry with paper towels before adding sauce to help achieve a crispy exterior and better sauce absorption.
• Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil for dairy-free alternatives, maintaining the recipe’s rich flavor profile.
• Use fresh herbs like dill or chives instead of thyme for a different aromatic dimension and personalized taste experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 500mg
• Fat: 27g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 3g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 35g
• Cholesterol: 90mg