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

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 do you cook cod so it's not rubbery? ›

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.

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.

Why is my baked cod tough? ›

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.

What makes cod taste good? ›

Cod is a beautifully mild and buttery-flavored fish and this preparation couldn't be easier or more stunning. Coat it in paprika and a few other spices, then pan fry it until tender and juicy. It takes under 10 minutes to get restaurant-quality flavor!

Should cod be soaked in milk before cooking? ›

To try this trick in your home kitchen, follow Cook's Illustrated's advice: before cooking, let your fish spend about 20 minutes sitting in milk to absorb any unwanted odors. Then, simply drain the fish and pat it dry. You'll be left with fish that has a clean, sweet flavor and none of the fishy edge.

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.

Why is my baked cod mushy? ›

It's easy to accidentally overcook seafood, especially small shellfish—like shrimp and mussels—and thin fish fillets. The texture can also turn out mushy if it is too saturated with water. Fortunately, you can start making restaurant-quality seafood at home with these seafood cooking tips.

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).

What cod tastes the best? ›

In flavour terms, it's widely agreed that Atlantic cod has a slightly sweet taste, with large flakes that fall apart easily when cooked. Pacific cod has a milder, more savoury flavour profile accompanied by firmer, chunkier flakes. Preference is very much down to consumers' personal tastes.

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.

How long does cod need to be cooked for? ›

There isn't much to baking frozen cod; all you have to adjust is the cooking time. Whereas fresh cod might take 15 minutes, frozen will take around 20 to 25 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425˚F. Season your cod to your liking, or whip up a quick sauce.

Why does my baked cod taste bitter? ›

One of the reasons fish will taste bitter is due to incorrect manner of slicing the fish. Sometimes the gall bladder of the fish, which contains bile which of course is bitter, gets punctured when the fish is being cut. The leaked bile gets quickly absorbed in the fish body. This gives it a bitter taste.

What is the cod fish technique? ›

The procedure can be used to identify individual chromosomes, rearrangements between chromosomes, and the location within a chromosome of specific DNA sequences such as centromeres, telomeres, and even individual genes.

Do you flip cod when cooking? ›

Flip the cod and cook until the cod starts to flake and reaches internal temperature of 130°F, about 2-4 more minutes. Use a spatula to carefully remove the cod off the grill. Allow to rest for 5 minutes, then serve with fresh parsley and lemon wedges, if desired.

What is the best cooking method for fish and why? ›

Make sure to cook your fish in a way that doesn't overwhelm the flavor. The level of fat in the meat. Leaner types of seafood dry out more easily, which makes them better suited for wet cooking methods like steaming and poaching. Fatty fish like tuna and salmon, on the other hand, are ideal for grilling and roasting.

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