Description
Succulent Lemon Butter Baked Cod delivers Mediterranean coastal elegance with delicate fish kissed by zesty citrus and rich, silky butter. Effortless preparation ensures you can savor restaurant-quality seafood without complexity, bringing Mediterranean sunshine directly to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cod fillets
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 lemons
Seasoning:
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Garnish:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 lemon, sliced for serving
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Pat the cod fillets completely dry using paper towels, ensuring no excess moisture remains which could prevent proper browning.
- Mix salt, black pepper, dried parsley, and garlic powder in a small bowl to create a uniform seasoning blend.
- Generously sprinkle the seasoning mixture over both sides of the cod fillets, gently pressing the spices into the fish to enhance flavor penetration.
- Melt the unsalted butter in a small saucepan, then squeeze fresh lemon juice directly into the melted butter, whisking to create a smooth, fragrant sauce.
- Pour half of the lemon-butter sauce over the seasoned cod fillets, ensuring each piece is well coated and glistening.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and appears opaque throughout.
- Remove from the oven and drizzle the remaining lemon-butter sauce over the cooked fillets for an extra burst of flavor.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and arrange lemon slices around the fish for a vibrant, appetizing presentation.
- Serve immediately while the cod is hot and the butter sauce is still warm and aromatic.
Notes
- Select fresh, high-quality cod fillets with firm, translucent flesh for the best texture and flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal fish temperature, ensuring it reaches 145°F for safe consumption.
- Experiment with herb substitutions like dill or thyme to customize the seasoning profile and match personal taste preferences.
- Modify recipe for gluten-free diets by confirming all ingredients are certified gluten-free, especially spice blends.
- Opt for clarified butter or ghee to reduce milk solids and enhance sauce stability during baking.
- Prevent overcooking by checking fish at the 10-minute mark, as thinner fillets might require shorter baking times.
- Create a low-sodium version by reducing salt quantity and using salt-free herb blends for heart-healthy diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 22 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg