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A quick and flavorful baked cod dish with a bright lemon garlic butter sauce, ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights and adaptable for family-friendly meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cod fillets – fresh or fully thawed if frozen
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (or olive oil for a lighter option)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. If using frozen cod, thaw fillets in the refrigerator overnight.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  3. Melt the unsalted butter gently over medium heat in a small saucepan, swirling to prevent burning.
  4. Add minced garlic to the melted butter and cook about 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
  5. Stir fresh lemon juice and lemon zest into the butter-garlic mixture.
  6. Place cod fillets in a single layer in a baking dish.
  7. If using, add chopped asparagus or cherry tomatoes to the baking dish with the cod.
  8. Pour the lemon garlic butter sauce over the fillets, coating each piece evenly.
  9. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  10. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the cooked cod before serving.

Notes

Use fresh garlic and freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor., Avoid overbaking to keep cod moist and flaky; check for flaking around 12 minutes., Red pepper flakes add a gentle heat, optional for those who like spice., Can substitute cod with other white fish like tilapia or halibut., Add asparagus or cherry tomatoes for a one-pan meal with veggies., Parsley can be swapped with dill or basil for different herb notes., Lemon garlic butter sauce can be made ahead and stored up to three days in the refrigerator., Leftovers keep fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two days., Freeze cooked cod for up to three months, thaw overnight in fridge before reheating.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://mamapantry.com/irresistible-lemon-garlic-butter-cod-a-delicious-quick-dinner/