Description
This Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce is a quick and flavorful seafood dish perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Tender cod fillets are seasoned and baked with a luscious lemon-garlic butter sauce, resulting in a moist, flaky texture paired with bright and savory flavors. With just 20 minutes total time and simple ingredients, it’s an easy yet elegant meal for four servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 4 cod fillets, freshly thawed and patted dry
Seasonings
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter or European-style cultured butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the cod.
- Prepare Fish: Pat the cod fillets dry using paper towels to remove any excess moisture, which helps ensure even cooking and better texture.
- Season Fish: Season both sides of the cod fillets generously with salt and pepper for balanced flavor.
- Make Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, grated garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and olive oil until thoroughly combined to create a flavorful lemon-garlic butter sauce.
- Arrange Fillets: Place the seasoned cod fillets in a single layer in a baking dish suitable for the oven.
- Coat with Sauce: Pour half of the prepared butter sauce evenly over the fillets to coat them well and infuse flavor.
- Bake Fish: Bake the cod in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, checking that the fish flakes easily with a fork, indicating it is cooked through.
- Baste Midway: Halfway through the baking time, baste the fish with the remaining butter sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cod from the oven and allow it to rest for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors settle and the juices redistribute.
Notes
- Ensure the cod fillets are patted dry to avoid soggy fish.
- Use fresh lemon juice and garlic for the best flavor.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- European-style cultured butter adds a richer flavor but unsalted butter works well too.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
