Okay, let’s talk about fish. You know how we all know we should eat more of it, but actually cooking it feels like… a whole thing? Yeah, me too. Finding a fish recipe that isn’t fussy, doesn’t stink up the house, AND tastes amazing feels like hitting the jackpot. Well, guess what? Jackpot time. This Lemon Butter Baked Cod is seriously the easiest, most delicious way to get fish on the table, and it tastes like you actually know what you’re doing (even if you, like me sometimes, are just winging it).
Forget complicated techniques. This is basically: put fish in dish, pour yummy sauce on top, bake. Done. And that sauce? Oh man. Melted butter, fresh lemon juice (seriously, don’t use the bottled stuff, it’s not the same!), garlic, a little dill… it creates this bright, rich coating that makes the mild Lemon Butter Baked Cod sing. It’s not overpowering, just… perfect. Even my picky eaters gobble this up.
So, what do you need to make this magic happen?
It’s mostly stuff you might already have, which is always a bonus:
- Cod Fillets: Four pieces, maybe around 6 ounces each? Give or take. (And hey, if cod’s not looking great or you prefer something else, haddock or pollock work fine too!)
- Butter: About 4 tablespoons. Melt it down! (Olive oil works if you’re avoiding dairy, no biggie).
- LEMON: A big juicy one! You need about 3 tablespoons of juice and about a teaspoon of the zest (that yellow outer skin – it packs a flavour punch!).
- Garlic: Two cloves, chopped up small. Or more if you’re a garlic fiend.
- Herbs & Spices: A teaspoon of dried dill (or a tablespoon if you have fresh!), half a teaspoon each of paprika and sea salt, and a quarter teaspoon of black pepper. Easy peasy.
- Parsley: A bit of fresh parsley chopped up for the end makes it look pretty and adds freshness.
- Extra Lemon Slices: Optional, but nice for serving.
Seriously, It’s SO Fast:
You can prep this Lemon Butter Baked Cod in like 10 minutes flat. Cooking is usually 15-18 minutes. That means dinner’s on the table in under half an hour. Weeknight win!
Alright, Let’s Cook This Amazing Lemon Butter Baked Cod:
- Oven On! Get your oven heating up to 400°F (200°C). Find a baking dish that fits the fish without them being squished together. My top tip? Line it with parchment paper. Seriously, cleanup becomes practically zero. You’ll thank me later.
- Make the Sauce: Grab a small bowl. Dump in the melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, dill, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give it a good whisk – smells amazing already, right?
- Fish Prep: Take your cod fillets and pat them nice and dry with paper towels. This sounds fussy, but it helps the fish bake beautifully instead of getting steamy, and the sauce sticks better. Plop them into your parchment-lined dish.
- Sauce Time! Pour that gorgeous lemon butter mixture all over the cod fillets. Try to get it everywhere! I even scoop up any sauce that pools in the dish and spoon it back over the top. More sauce = better Lemon Butter Baked Cod!
- Into the Heat: Slide that dish into the hot oven. Now, just let it bake for about 15-18 minutes. Keep an eye on it – thicker pieces might need slightly longer. You’ll know it’s done when it looks opaque all the way through and, the best part, it flakes super easily when you poke it gently with a fork. Don’t let it go too long – dry fish is sad fish!
- Almost There! Pull it out and let it sit for just a minute or two. Sprinkle that chopped fresh parsley over the top, maybe tuck in those extra lemon slices. Boom. Serve your incredible Lemon Butter Baked Cod right away!
What Makes This Dish Extra Awesome?
Besides being crazy easy and tasting fantastic, this Lemon Butter Baked Cod is actually pretty good for you. Lots of protein, not loaded with heavy stuff. Feels kinda fancy, but totally doable.
Want to tweak it? Go for it!
- Throw some veggies in the pan! Asparagus spears, cherry tomatoes, zucchini chunks – they’ll roast right along with the fish. One-pan meal!
- Mix up the herbs – thyme or rosemary would be nice instead of dill.
- Watching salt? The lemon and garlic add so much flavour, you can probably cut back a bit.
What to eat WITH your Lemon Butter Baked Cod?
Honestly, almost anything goes!
- Simple steamed green beans or asparagus.
- Some fluffy rice or quinoa to soak up that buttery sauce.
- Roasted potatoes are always good.
- A crisp green salad.
Little things to watch out for (so it’s perfect!):
- The biggest one: Don’t overcook it! Fish cooks fast. As soon as it flakes, it’s ready. Set a timer!
- Patting it dry really does make a difference.
- Using fresh lemon juice is key for the best flavour.
Leftovers?
If you somehow don’t eat it all (which rarely happens here!), store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it gently in the oven or a toaster oven – the microwave can make fish rubbery.
So there you have it. My absolute go-to, never-fails, makes-you-look-like-a-chef Lemon Butter Baked Cod. Give it a try! You’ll be amazed how easy and delicious it is. Let me know how it turns out!
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