Description
This Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic is a simple yet flavorful Mediterranean-inspired main course. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it features tender cod fillets baked with a zesty lemon-garlic marinade that keeps the fish moist and aromatic. With wholesome ingredients and minimal prep, it’s a healthy gluten-free and dairy-free seafood dish that pairs beautifully with rice, roasted vegetables, or salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Marinade
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then place them evenly spaced in the prepared baking dish.
- Make the Marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a fragrant, tangy marinade.
- Coat the Fillets: Spoon the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over each cod fillet, ensuring the tops are thoroughly coated to maximize flavor.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake the cod for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and appears opaque throughout.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the cod from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top if desired, and serve while hot with lemon slices for an added burst of citrus.
Notes
- Serve this baked cod alongside steamed rice, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
- Haddock or halibut make great substitutes for cod if preferred.
- For a richer flavor, replace half of the olive oil with melted butter before marinating the fillets.
- Ensure the fish is evenly spaced in the baking dish to allow for thorough cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approximately 6 ounces)
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 360mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
