Garlic Butter Baked Cod is one of the best cod recipes for anyone that loves a delicious white fish. This easy recipe shows you the best way to cook cod along with a garlic butter lemon sauce that is perfect to complement cod. A great main staple for dinner and for those following a paleo, Whole30 or keto lifestyle. 

Although cod is a simple fish, it can be very intimidating to cook as it is very delicate and can easily be overcooked if not made properly.

The perfect way to cook cod is by baking it in the oven at a high temperature for a short amount of time to make sure the fish is tender and flaky without it drying out.

Pair this with an easy lemon garlic butter sauce and you have the best way to make cod easily!

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE GARLIC BUTTER BAKED COD

• Cod Fillets: these can be purchased from most grocery stores either at the seafood counter or frozen. Either or will work with this recipe. I like to purchase cod filets that are at least 6oz each. If you can only find thin pieces, they can be folded over to make one thicker piece.
• Lemons: Lemon is a highly complimentary flavor when it comes to white fish and that’s no exception in this dish. You’ll need the juice of 2 lemons as well as one to thinly slice to add on top of the fish before baking.
• Butter or Ghee: Melted butter or ghee is used to make the sauce that is drizzled on top of the fish to flavor it perfectly.
• Fresh Garlic: freshly minced garlic is best to use for this recipe as the garlic flavor gets deep into the fish which makes it taste much better than if using granulated garlic powder. 
• Salt & Pepper: Used to season the fish in the sauce. 
• Fresh Parsley: This garnish adds a colorful pop and freshness to this healthy fish dinner. 

FROZEN OR FRESH COD:

Either will work with this recipe, just make sure to defrost your cod overnight in the fridge if it is frozen before using. I get wild Alaskan cod delivered to my door from Sitka Salmon Shares. You can use code THYME to recieve $25 off your first box of seafood! Visit Sitka Salmon Shares to order. 

WHOLE30 BAKED COD:

This can easily be made a Whole30 fish recipe by making sure you use ghee instead of butter. Check out my recipe on how to make your own ghee in the instant pot. 

For another great Whole30 fish recipe, check out these Whole30 Fish Taco Bowls. 

DO I NEED TO USE LEMON?

Using lemon juice in the sauce is not necessary, however it does add a lot of great flavor to the dish and adds bulk to the sauce that will be poured on the fish. 

PARMESAN BAKED COD:

If you’d like to add parmesan to this cod for a salty crunch and flavor, evenly distribute ½ cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese on top of each cod fillet before baking. 

HOW TO MAKE GARLIC BUTTER BAKED COD

• Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 
• Prepare Your Fish: Pat fish dry with a paper towel and place on your parchment lined sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper.
• Make the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together: lemon juice, butter, and minced garlic. 
• Prepare Garnishes: Slice ½ a lemon into thin slices and chop some parsley for garnish.
• Bake The Cod: Drizzle garlic butter lemon sauce on top of the seasoned cod evenly. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until fish is opaque in the middle. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

RECIPE TIPS:

• Size Of Cod: The best way to make this recipe is to have pieces of cod that are the same size 6oz is a great size to start. If you can’t find big fillets, you can fold over the thinner pieces to make one big piece. 
• Freezing: Baked cod can be frozen, however the fish may be dryer once it’s defrosted.
• Storing: Store baked cod in your fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: To reheat baked cod, preheat your oven or air fryer to 300 degrees and bake for 20-30 minutes or until cod is heated through.

WHAT GOES WITH BAKED COD?

• Cheesy Grilled Asparagus
• Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes
• BBQ Sweet Potato Fries
• Roasted Purple Cabbage Steaks
• Instant Pot Collard Greens

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Garlic Butter Baked Cod

Yield: 6-8 Servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Garlic butter baked cod is one of the best cod recipes for anyone that loves a delicious white fish. This easy recipe shows you the best way to cook cod along with a garlic butter lemon sauce that is perfect to complement cod. A great main staple for dinner and for those following a paleo, Whole30 or keto lifestyle.

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Ingredients

• 2 lbs Cod Fillets
• 2 Lemons, juiced
• 4 tbsp Butter
• 2 tbsp Fresh Garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
• 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
• 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, minced
• 1/2 Lemon, sliced for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 
2. Prepare Your Fish: Pat fish dry with a paper towel and place on your parchment lined sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Make the Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together: lemon juice, melted butter, and minced garlic. 
4. Prepare Garnishes: Slice ½ a lemon into thin slices and chop some parsley for garnish.
5. Bake The Cod: Drizzle garlic butter lemon sauce on top of the seasoned cod evenly. Bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees or until fish is opaque in the middle. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Notes

• Size Of Cod: The best way to make this recipe is to have pieces of cod that are the same size 6oz is a great size to start. If you can’t find big fillets, you can fold over the thinner pieces to make one big piece. 

• Freezing: Baked cod can be frozen, however the fish may be dryer once it’s defrosted.
• Storing: Store baked cod in your fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: To reheat baked cod, preheat your oven or air fryer to 300 degrees and bake for 20-30 minutes or until cod is heated through.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 181Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 78mgSodium: 281mgCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 1gProtein: 26g

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