Baked Cod with Lemon Garlic (Printable View)

Tender cod baked with lemon, garlic, and herbs for a light, healthy meal ready in 30 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 oz each), boneless, skinless

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

03 - Juice of 1 lemon

04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

05 - 1 teaspoon salt

06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

08 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

10 - Lemon slices, for garnish

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.

02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and place them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.

03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

04 - Pour the marinade evenly over the cod fillets, ensuring each is well coated.

05 - Sprinkle chopped parsley, thyme leaves, and smoked paprika over the fish.

06 - Arrange lemon slices on top or around the fillets for extra flavor and presentation.

07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 16–20 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

08 - Remove from the oven, let rest for 2 minutes, then serve warm with your favorite sides.

01 -

The cod stays incredibly tender and moist, never dry or rubbery like some baked fish can be
It comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you still want something that feels fancy

02 -

Overbaking is the tragedy of cod. Even an extra 3 minutes can turn delicate flakes into something dry and disappointing.
Fresh herbs here are non-negotiable. Dried herbs just don't give you that bright, garden-fresh pop that makes this dish sing.

03 -

Let your fish sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before baking. This ensures even cooking.
If your fillets vary in thickness, tuck the thin ends under so everything cooks at the same rate.