Made simply with just 5 ingredients, this Easy Baked Cod recipe makes for a mouthwatering addition to your regular line-up of weeknight dinners. Bursting with flavor and baked to flaky perfection, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t try it sooner!
Often overshadowed by more popular fish like salmon and tuna, cod filets are vastly underrated. It’s meaty, flaky, versatile, and affordable. From cod cakes and fish tacos to baked recipes like this one, cod filets can be used in a wide variety of tasty dishes.
This delicious recipe for Easy Baked Cod is made using simple ingredients that pack in tons of flavor and allow the fish to really shine. We coat the cod filets in a vibrant mixture of butter, lemon juice, garlic cloves, and Italian seasoning before baking them, resulting in a final product that is tender, flaky, and insanely flavorful.
For the ultimate weeknight dinner, I like to pair this dish with veggies and rice or potatoes. Whether you’re cooking for one or serving at a dinner party, you can’t go wrong with this healthy and flavor-packed recipe. Ready from start to finish in under 30 minutes, it’s sure to become a fantastic new addition to your weekly rotation.
Key Ingredients
This easy dish requires minimal ingredients to shine. The key ingredients you will need for this dish include:
- Cod filets: This mild and tender fish is the star of the show. You can use fresh or frozen cod for this recipe, but I prefer to get fresh filets from the grocery store.
- Butter: This can be subbed for olive oil, but using butter adds a ton of rich and delicious flavor to the dish.
- Lemon juice: The acidity we get from fresh lemon juice brightens up the rest of the dish and brings out all of the wonderful flavors.
- Garlic cloves: You’ll want to use fresh garlic if possible, as this will yield the best flavors.
- Italian seasoning: This simple spice mix brings a ton of flavor to the recipe that perfectly complements the fish. You can use a store-bought blend or easily make your own if you have the ingredients at home.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
- Easy to make
- Made with just 5 ingredients
- Loaded with nutrients
- Packed with flavor
- Perfect for quick weeknight meals
- Great for meal prep
Health Benefits of Cod
Cod is a flaky white fish that is packed with vitamins and minerals. It’s high in protein, but low in calories, fat, and carbs, making it an extremely healthy meal choice. According to The World's Healthiest Foods, these are some of the most impressive health benefits of cod:
- Promotes heart health
- Boosts brain function
- Protects against heart disease, cancer, and diabetes
- Helps to regulate blood pressure
- Aids in weight loss
- Protects against age-related conditions like Alzheimer’s
- Improves mood
- Reduces the risk of depression
Recipe Tips for Baking Cod
- Make sure your cod filets are similar in size and shape so they cook evenly.
- You can cook this recipe using fresh or frozen fish. If using frozen, make sure to fully thaw it before cooking.
- For a smoky flavor, you can grill your cod instead of baking it. Be careful not to overcook, cod is a delicate fish that should only need about 10 to 15 minutes on the grill.
- If possible, try to use fresh lemon juice and fresh garlic for this recipe. Fresh ingredients will yield much better flavors than lemon juice concentrate or garlic powder.
- To add some heat to the dish, try adding a pinch of cayenne powder or crushed red pepper to your butter mixture before coating the cod filets.
- If you want to switch up the flavors, you can use different spice blends like Cajun seasoning or Tuscan seasoning instead of Italian seasoning.
How to Store This Dish
If you wind up with leftovers, you can store them in one of two ways:
- To refrigerate this dish, transfer the cod filets to an airtight bag or container and store for up to 2 days
- To freeze this dish, transfer the cod filets to an airtight bag or container and store for up to 1 month
Side Dish Ideas for Baked Cod
This Easy Baked Cod is a versatile dish that pairs beautifully with a wide variety of side dishes. Some of my favorite side dishes to pair with this recipe include:
- Crispy Baked Zucchini
- Spaghetti Squash Au Gratin
- Crispy Baked Potato Wedges
- Lemon Garlic Roasted Cauliflower
- Crispy Roasted Cabbage
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cod filets?
Yes. Simply drop the frozen cod filets (with the sealed packaging still on) into a bowl of cool water or refrigerate overnight to thaw before cooking them.
What does cod taste like?
Cod is mild in flavor and less fishy than some other types of fish, so it takes on the flavors you coat it with. Because it’s less fishy than others, cod is great for people who may not be the biggest seafood lovers.
What should I serve with baked cod?
Whatever you like! Baked cod is pretty versatile, so it works well with a lot of different side dishes. Some of the most common types of side dishes for fish like cod include grilled or roasted vegetables, potatoes, rice, and salad. You can get creative and switch up the side dishes each time you make this recipe.
What temperature should cod be cooked at?
In this recipe, we cook the cod at 400°F for maximum deliciousness. While this is my preferred temperature to cook cod at, you can technically cook it at any temperature you like, as long as the fish reaches an internal temperature of 145°F.
Looking for More Healthy Fish Recipes
- Honey Lime Tilapia
- Fish Tacos and Avocado Crema
- Baked Fish and Chips
- Fish and Shrimp Stew
- Blackened Salmon
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