Baked Cod with Garlic Butter (Printable Version)

Tender cod baked in fragrant garlic butter with fresh herbs and lemon accents.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

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

→ Garlic Butter

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

→ Herbs & Seasoning

06 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish

11 - Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the cod fillets in a single layer.
02 - Arrange the cod fillets in the prepared baking dish. Pat dry with paper towels.
03 - In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
04 - Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cod fillets. Season with salt and pepper.
05 - Sprinkle chopped parsley, dill, and chives over the top of the fillets.
06 - Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The garlic butter creates an instant sauce that keeps the fish incredibly moist
  • Ready in under thirty minutes perfect for busy weeknight dinners
  • Fresh herbs make it taste restaurant quality without any fancy techniques
02 -
  • Overcooked cod becomes rubbery and dry. Pull it when it just turns opaque throughout.
  • Letting fish sit at room temperature for ten minutes before baking helps it cook more evenly.
  • The butter will separate slightly in the oven creating a natural sauce to spoon over each serving.
03 -
  • Check fillets for tiny pin bones with clean tweezers before cooking.
  • A hot oven creates better texture and faster cooking than lower temperatures.

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