The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

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By: DianaPosted: 8/14/20Updated: 5/15/21

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Dinner ready in under 20 minutes! This juicy and tender lemon baked cod is so healthy and delicious. All you need is 3 ingredients, salt, pepper, and a baking dish to make this delicious weeknight dinner.

The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (1)

If you think that cooking fish is complicated, or that you need numerous ingredients not to end up with bland cod, I’m here to change your mind! You can actually make this healthy baked cod dinner with just a few ingredients, and it will turn out so flavorful with the right texture.

Baked cod a great low-carb protein, it’s low in calories and fat. Serve it with some steamed or roasted vegetables for a healthy meal that you can quickly whip up for your family.

The Ingredients

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Here’s what you’ll need to make baked cod with lemon:

  • Cod fish – I buy mine frozen and thaw it before cooking. You can bake it from frozen though.
  • Olive oil or butter – It depends on the flavor that you’re after, if you like that buttery creamy texture and flavor then go for butter. If you prefer a healthier and lighter version, then go for olive oil.
  • Lemon – For lemon juice, and lemon slices. You can also add some lemon zest to the fish.
  • Garlic granules – just sprinkle it over the fish, it adds a lovely flavor.
  • Salt and pepper.
The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2)

I recommend that you completely thaw the fish before baking. To do so quickly, thaw them in a bowl filled with cold water but make sure to place the cod in a plastic bag before you put it in the water. You can also bake cod from frozen, but I prefer to thaw it first.

So here’s what you need to do:

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.
  2. Pat dry the fish with paper towels, and place in a baking dish. Drizzle and brush with olive oil or melted butter then season with garlic granules, salt, and pepper.
  3. Flip the fish to the other side, and repeat.
  4. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice, and top with some lemon slices.
  5. Bake for 12-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. The cod is ready when it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.
  6. Serve it with this delicious and easy cream sauce that goes so well with all types of seafood!
The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (3)

Storing and Reheating Tips

Store the leftovers in a food container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, place in a pan and reheat over the stove until it’s warmed enough to your liking.

The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (4)

Sides That Go So Well With Baked Cod

  • Roasted asparagus goes so well with baked cod.
  • Roasted radishes, a great low-carb side!
  • Creamy mashed potatoes.
  • Roasted purple cauliflower salad.
  • Red cabbage slaw.
  • Buttered baby potatoes.
The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (5)

For more delicious fish recipes, try my crunchy beer battered fish, crispy and delicious air fryer fish, and these easy air fryer fish sticks.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe

The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (6)

5 from 8 votes(Click stars to rate!)

Lemon Baked Cod

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Author: Diana

Print Rate Recipe

Dinner ready in under 20 minutes! This juicy and tender lemon baked cod is so healthy and delicious. All you need is 3 ingredients, salt, pepper, and a baking dish to make this delicious weeknight dinner.

4 servings

Dinner ready in under 20 minutes! This juicy and tender lemon baked cod is so healthy and delicious. All you need is 3 ingredients, salt, pepper, and a baking dish to make this delicious weeknight dinner.

Recipe Video

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 (5-6 oz) cod fillets about ½" thick, skinless and boneless
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C.

  • Pat dry the fish with paper towels, and place in a baking dish. Drizzle and brush with olive oil or melted butter then season with garlic granules, salt, and pepper.

  • Flip the fish to the other side, and repeat.

  • Drizzle with fresh lemon juice, and top with some lemon slices.

  • Bake for 12-15 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. The cod is ready when it’s opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve.

Notes:

  • Store the leftovers in a food container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • To reheat, place in a pan and reheat over the stove until it’s warmed enough to your liking.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 106kcal, Carbohydrates: 3g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 315mg, Potassium: 213mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 101IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 14mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review!

  1. Jamil Qureshi says

    The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (13)
    I work in the nursery and served this to the children who loved it

    Reply

    • Diana says

      Glad to hear the children loved it! Thank you for the review.

      Reply

  2. Vera says

    The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (14)
    It was delicious! Served it with air fried potatoe wedges and a large green salad. Yummy! Thank you.

    Reply

The Best Lemon Baked Cod Recipe - Little Sunny Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How to cook cod Martha Stewart? ›

Directions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 9-by-13-inch nonreactive baking dish; set aside. ...
  2. Season fish with salt and pepper; place in baking dish. Scatter olive mixture evenly over fish. ...
  3. Cover dish with foil. Bake until fish is firm, flaky, and cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes.
Jan 31, 2022

What temperature is cod done at? ›

You'll know your cod is done when it flakes easily when pressed with a fork, and the flesh is opaque white and no longer translucent. In terms of doneness, the official FDA recommendation is an internal temperature of 145˚F as measured by a food thermometer, which will be a very firm piece of fish.

Do you rinse cod before baking? ›

We recommend not rinsing unless you need to rinse off any scales. Pat dry with paper towels whether you rinse or not. Preheat the oven to 450°F for fillets and steaks or 350°F for dressed fish. Even thickness: Place the fish in a single layer in a greased shallow baking pan (like a baking sheet).

How long does cod take in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

Bake in 400 degrees F heated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cod is cooked through. The fish is ready when it turns a beautiful white opaque and flakes easily when you take a fork to it. Garnish and serve! I love adding some parsley for a pop of green!

What temperature should cod be cooked at in the oven? ›

Preheat an oven or grill to 400 degrees. Lightly spritz fish with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper and sea salt. Bake for approx 12 minutes, or to an internal temp of 145 degrees. Squeeze fresh lemon or lime over the fish and serve.

Why is my cod rubbery? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

Is cod better in the oven or pan? ›

Pan-frying is a great option for cod fillet or loin as there is time to produce a lovely crispy skin without overcooking the delicate, flaky flesh. This is the way cod and similar white fish are often cooked in restaurant kitchens and is very simple to do at home.

How do you bake cod without it falling apart? ›

Additionally, make sure the heat isn't too high and you use enough fat (e.g. olive oil, butter)/liquid (e.g. white wine, lemon juice) to keep it from sticking to the pan. If cod separates in pieces, it is overcooked. The flesh should still be slightly tender and in one piece.

Do you soak cod in milk before frying? ›

In a 3-quart bowl, soak fish in milk for 15-20 minutes. The casein protein in milk binds to the trimethylamine in the fish flesh, reducing the “fishy” odor. Flour bowl: In a 3-quart bowl, whisk together.

Should you soak cod in milk before cooking? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

How do you cook cod without it getting tough? ›

Try a gentle cooking method: Instead of adding fat, you can also try a gentle cooking method like steaming or cooking en papillote. Both of these methods help to preserve Pacific cod's high moisture content and produce incredibly tender results.

Why do you salt cod before cooking? ›

Salting fish, like sea bass fillets, before cooking helps to firm up the flesh and improves the texture. If you've travelled much in Spain or Portugal you will no doubt of seen salt cod, or bacalao on the menu – this is where the fish is covered in salt for days to remove all the moisture.

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