This baked lemon butter cod is one of those meals I keep coming back to on busy nights. It’s light, flavorful, and ready in about half an hour, making it a perfect weeknight dinner when I want something that feels a bit special but doesn’t leave me with a mountain of dishes.
I’ll be honest—I didn’t grow up loving fish. I had to teach myself to enjoy it over the years. Now I tell my kids they’re “getting used to it” instead of saying they don’t like it. It really changes the mood at the table. This recipe was one of our successes in that mission. Even my pickiest eater asked for seconds.
Honestly, who can resist a buttery, garlicky lemon sauce over flaky fish? It’s one of those simple pleasures that make dinner feel a bit more elegant without being fussy.
Why This Recipe Always Wins at Dinner
What I love most about this lemon butter cod is that it’s genuinely so easy. No fancy ingredients or complicated steps. Just good, honest flavors that shine.
I always keep frozen cod on hand for nights when I don’t feel like meal planning. It thaws quickly, and with this recipe, you don’t even need much else—just butter, garlic, lemon, and a bit of parsley.
I’ve also found that this is a great introduction for folks who say they “don’t like fish.” The lemon and garlic mellow out any strong flavors, and the buttery sauce is the real star here. It’s comfort food but still feels light and fresh.
This dish is in my regular rotation for good reason.
What You’ll Need for Lemon Butter Cod
The Fish
I usually grab frozen cod fillets because that’s what’s easiest to find where I live. Fresh is amazing if you can get it, but honestly, frozen works beautifully if you let it thaw properly. I just lay mine out in the fridge overnight or run it under cold water if I’m short on time.
Cod is mild and flaky, which makes it perfect for soaking up all that lemon butter goodness.
The Topping
This is where the magic happens.
- Softened butter makes the base so creamy and luscious.
- Fresh minced garlic gives it that mouthwatering aroma.
- Parsley adds color and a gentle herbal note.
- Lemon juice brightens everything up.
I sometimes add a pinch of chili flakes if I want a little heat. You can tweak it to your liking.
Step-By-Step: How I Make It
1. Mix the Lemon Butter
I grab a bowl and mash the softened butter with minced garlic, a big squeeze of lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and black pepper. It turns into this rich, fragrant spread that’s hard not to taste-test on the spot.
2. Season the Fish
I lay the cod on a baking dish lined with parchment or lightly oiled. Then I slather that butter mixture generously over each fillet. Don’t be shy—it melts beautifully into the fish as it bakes. I finish with a thin lemon slice on top for extra zesty flavor.
3. Bake
Into a preheated oven at 400°F. It usually takes me about 15-20 minutes depending on the thickness of the fillets. The key is to pull it out as soon as it flakes easily with a fork. Overcooked fish turns dry fast, so keep an eye on it toward the end.
Why This Lemon Butter Cod is Always a Hit
For me, it’s the balance of flavors. The lemon keeps things bright and lively, the butter makes it rich and satisfying, and the garlic ties it all together.
And it’s so fast. From start to finish, you can have dinner on the table in around 30 minutes, which is a lifesaver on busy weeknights.
It’s also one of those meals that feels special enough for company but is easy enough for a lazy Tuesday.
My Favorite Ways to Serve It
I often serve this with whatever vegetables I have on hand. Some go-to sides:
- Roasted cauliflower rice for something light and low-carb.
- Air-fried zucchini or broccoli tots if I want something the kids will actually eat without complaining.
- A crisp green salad with homemade dressing—so refreshing alongside the buttery fish.
- Even simple steamed broccoli or green beans work beautifully if I’m in a rush.
Basically, anything green or fresh works to balance that rich sauce.
Common Questions I Get About This Recipe
What oven temperature should I use?
I always bake it at 400°F. It’s hot enough to cook the fish quickly while giving the butter topping time to melt and soak in.
How do I know when the cod is done?
The best test is the fork test. Insert a fork into the thickest part of the fish and gently twist. If it flakes easily and isn’t translucent in the middle, it’s ready.
Why did my cod turn out tough?
That usually means it was left in the oven a bit too long. Fish cooks fast, so start checking at the 12-minute mark if your fillets are thin. Pull it as soon as it flakes.
More Seafood Ideas From My Kitchen
If you love this recipe, here are a few others I keep on regular rotation:
- Crispy Parmesan-crusted cod—it’s like fish sticks for grown-ups.
- Pan-seared halibut with a simple butter sauce.
- Easy shrimp stir-fry for nights when I want something quick but packed with flavor.
If you make this lemon butter cod, let me know how it turned out for you. I hope it becomes one of those easy, reliable meals you can count on, just like it has for me.
Baked Lemon Cod
This lemon baked cod is the kind of recipe you’ll turn to again and again. It’s light, flavorful, and beautifully simple—perfect for a busy weeknight or a fuss-free dinner that still feels special.
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (about 4 ounces each)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup softened butter
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 4 thin slices of lemon
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a large, rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray.
- In a small bowl, mix together the softened butter, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth and evenly combined.
- Place the cod fillets on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the lemon-garlic butter mixture generously over each piece of fish. Top each fillet with a slice of lemon.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Notes
- This recipe works beautifully with other mild white fish like tilapia or mahi mahi. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly if using thinner fillets.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 296Total Fat 13gSaturated Fat 8gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 130mgSodium 390mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 41g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
