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Home » Seafood

Garlic Butter Baked Cod

Published: February 23, 2022 Last Modified: February 23, 2022 This post may contain affiliate links.

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Garlic Butter Baked Cod is moist, juicy, flaky whitefish baked in butter, garlic, lemon and savory spices. This cod fillet fish is easy to prepare and delicious. If cooked properly, it is tender with firm texture.

Cod is a mild tasting fish that easily picks up the flavor of herbs and seasonings and cooks in only a few minutes.

Wild-caught Atlantic cod and Pacific cod are available in the US and this baked cod recipe is delicious with both fish.

Baked cod fillet fish cut in half in garlic butter sauce garnished with parsley and surrounded with sliced lemon.
Jump to:
  • Is it healthy to eat cod
  • Ingredients substitute
  • How to bake cod fillet
  • Tips for a perfect tasting baked cod
  • Storing and reheating leftovers
  • FAQ
  • Recipe

Is it healthy to eat cod

Yes, cod is a nutritious fish that is high in protein and rich in omega 3 fatty acid while low in calories and low in fat. Aside from that, it is a good source of some vitamins and minerals.

While some fish contain high amounts of mercury, cod does not. Consuming it in moderation is safe.

If you are looking for other healthy and easy fish recipe, try this Salmon with Lemon and Dill or this Mediterranean Style Salmon in Olive Oil or this Salmon with Lime, Cilantro and Jalapeno.

Ingredients substitute

Fresh Garlic – you can use ½ to ¾ teaspoon garlic powder.
Ground Thyme – substitute with ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme.
Fresh Parsley – you can use 1-1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley.
Smoked Paprika – substitute with ½ teaspoon regular paprika.

Note: Cod fish is very versatile when it comes to flavoring with herbs and spices. You can use other fresh or dried herbs like rosemary, tarragon, basil or your favorite herbs.

Ingredients to make garlic butter baked cod recipe.

How to bake cod fillet

If frozen, thaw cod fish overnight in the refrigerator and pat dry with paper towel.

In a small bowl, combine paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground thyme, cayenne pepper and ground pepper.

Mince and crush fresh garlic and chop fresh parsley.

Cut cod in half if too big for a 9x13 inch casserole dish.

Brush cod with olive oil, pour lemon juice and salt to taste.

Sprinkle seasonings, crushed garlic and parsley over cod fish then spread slices of butter on top of fish. Note: You can slice a small lemon and spread it around fish fillet, if desired.

Cod fillet cut in half, seasoned and slices of butter on top and surrounded with sliced lemon in a casserole.

Pre-heat oven at  400 degrees F and bake for 12-14 minutes or until cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Note: The thickest part of the fish should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F using a food thermometer.

Garnish with parsley and serve.

Baked cod in garlic butter sauce garnished with parsley and surrounded with lemon slices.

Tips for a perfect tasting baked cod

  1. Thaw cod fish in refrigerator overnight. Cook as soon as it is thawed for fresh tasting fish. Don’t let it sit uncooked for a long time in the fridge.
  2. Make sure to pat dry fish with paper towel if washing the fish.
  3. It gets rubbery when overcooked. Fish should should be moist, juicy and tender.
  4. Use a meat thermometer to be sure it is perfectly cooked. Temperature should reach 145 degrees F at thickest part of the fish.
  5. Consume fish within 2 days.

Storing and reheating leftovers

Store leftover baked cod in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge. Reheat leftover in the microwave for 30 seconds and increments of 15 seconds until warmed through. Cod fish will get rubbery if reheated for a long time.

Flaky baked cod in fork and casserole in garlic butter sauce garnished with parsley and lemon slices.

FAQ

Do I use Atlantic cod or Pacific cod?

Either fish will work for this baked cod recipe.

How do you know if cod is done?

Cod fish will be opaque, white and flake when pressed with a fork. It is best to use a food thermometer placed it in the thickest part of the fish with temperature reaching 145 degrees F.

Why do cod fish get rubbery?

Overcooked cod fish gets rubbery.

What to serve with baked cod fish

  • Mediterranean Kale Salad with Kalamata Olives and Feta
  • Mixed Greens Chickpea Salad Recipe
  • Easy Roasted Garlic Cauliflower
  • Asian Cucumber Salad

Try other delicious easy fish recipes

  • Salmon with Lemon and Dill
  • Mediterranean Style Salmon in Olive Oil
  • Poached Teriyaki Salmon Recipe
  • Bangus sa Tausi (Milkfish in Salted Black Beans)

Recipe

Baked cod in garlic butter sauce garnished with parsley and surrounded with lemon slices.

Garlic Butter Baked Cod Recipe

Baked cod in garlic, butter, lemon and seasonings is easy to prepare, savory and flavorful.
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 22 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 254kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds cod fillet skinless
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground thyme
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 big cloves garlic finely minced and crushed
  • 1 fresh lemon juice 3 tablespoons
  • 1 ½ tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • salt to taste
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • If frozen, thaw cod fish overnight in the refrigerator. Pat dry with paper towel.
  • Pre-heat oven at 400 degrees F.
  • In a small bowl, combine paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ground thyme, cayenne pepper and ground black pepper.
  • Place cod in a 9x13 inch or bigger casserole dish. Note: Cut the fish in half, if too big for the casserole.
  • Brush cod with olive oil, pour lemon juice and salt to taste.
  • Sprinkle seasonings, crushed garlic and 1 tablespoon parsley on cod fish, then spread slices of butter on top of fish. Note: You can surround fish with sliced lemon, if desired. This will make it more lemony.
  • Place casserole in the middle rack and bake cod fish for 12-14 minutes or until cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Note: The thickest part of fish should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees F using a food thermometer.
  • Garnish with remaining parsley and serve.

Notes

  1. Here are some ingredients substitute:
    Fresh Garlic – you can use ½ to ¾ teaspoon garlic powder.
    Ground Thyme – substitute with ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme.
    Fresh Parsley – you can use 1-1 ½ teaspoons dried parsley.
    Smoked Paprika – substitute with ½ teaspoon regular paprika.
  2. Store leftover baked cod in an airtight container for up to 2 days in the fridge.
  3. Reheat leftover in the microwave for 30 seconds and increments of 15 seconds until warmed through. Cod fish can get rubbery if reheated for a long time.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 95mg | Potassium: 744mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 611IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 40mg | Iron: 1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jane Kilmer

    March 17, 2022 at 3:33 am

    5 stars
    I have all the spices and made it. Delicious! I will use the same recipe with salmon. Thank you

    Reply
    • Fortune

      March 23, 2022 at 3:15 am

      It works for salmon too. Glad you liked it!

      Reply
  2. I. Jones

    March 20, 2022 at 7:13 pm

    5 stars
    During Lent we try to eat mostly fish. We love baked cod, it doesn't smell too fishy! Added more lemon and it is delicious.

    Reply
    • Fortune

      March 23, 2022 at 3:09 am

      Yeah, I like it lemony too!

      Reply
  3. Josie V

    March 23, 2022 at 2:46 am

    5 stars
    Cut the seasonings in half for 3 pieces cod and came out perfect!

    Reply
    • Fortune

      March 23, 2022 at 3:05 am

      Glad to hear.

      Reply

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