Lemon Garlic Butter Baked Cod Fillets

Lemon Garlic Butter Baked Cod Fillets – This easy lemon garlic butter baked cod is a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner that can be made in under 25 minutes, using basic pantry staples. Baked cod takes 5 minutes of preparation time and crisping the edges before you pop it in the oven in the same pan for 10 minutes only. It is simply the best baked cod recipe out there! Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Ingredients list for the Lemon Garlic Butter Baked Cod

• 4-6 cod fillets
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon dried garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper
• 1/4 cup vegetable broth
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Directions

1. To make the lemon garlic butter baked cod: Preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Mix lemon juice and melted butter in a shallow bowl and set aside. In another shallow bowl, mix red chili powder, red chili pepper flakes, dried garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.

2. Pat cod fillet dry and brush the fish with the lemon juice mixture, then season with spices. Reserve the remaining lemon butter mixture for later.

3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat. Sear fish on each side to give it some color, but do not fully cook. Count one minute on each side, then remove from heat. Make sure not to burn the spices. Deglaze the bottom of the pan with vegetable broth.

4. Drizzle the remaining lemon butter mixture all over the fish fillets. Sprinkle with more spice if you want,

5. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the cod fillets until they begin to flake easily with a fork (10 minutes should be ok, but start checking earlier). Remove the skillet from the oven (with oven mittens!) and sprinkle chopped parsley and more red chili pepper flakes on top of the fish. Serve the lemon garlic butter baked cod immediately with slices of lemon, with cauliflower rice or roasted veggies. Enjoy!

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Tips for the lemon garlic butter baked cod fillets recipe

This is one of the best cod recipes baked in the oven. Moist, juicy with 5 mins prep time. So good! Here are a few tips for the best baked cod ever:

• You can increase the amount of lemon juice if you like your fish tangier.
• You can use lime juice instead of lemon juice for a milder taste.
• Be sure to use a large spatula to carefully turn the fish in the cast-iron skillet tp avoid any crumbling.
• Do not overcook the fish in the oven; otherwise, it can become dry. Pour the cooking liquids over the codfish fillet once you have served it on the plate.

Should I use fresh or frozen cod?

You can use whichever is available to you. If using frozen cod, make sure it is fully thawed first (it is best to transfer the frozen fillets to the refrigerator the day before so they thaw overnight).

What to serve with the baked cod?

We served our lemon garlic butter baked cod with cauliflower rice, but you can try with roasted broccoli or even zucchini noodles.

How long to keep the baked cod leftovers

If you have any baked cod leftovers, let the fish cool down, then transfer into an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days, or freeze for up to one month.

More baked fish recipes you might enjoy

• Salmon and Asparagus Foil Packs with Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce
• Baked Honey Garlic Salmon in Foil
• Sheet-Pan Chili-Lime Tilapia Recipe with Veggies
• Garlic Butter Cod with Lemon Asparagus Skillet

Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com