Description
A simple and flavorful baked cod recipe featuring a zesty lemon-garlic butter sauce. Perfectly seasoned cod fillets are baked to tender perfection and basted with a fragrant mixture of butter, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil for a deliciously moist and aromatic dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets, freshly thawed and patted dry
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Butter Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter or European-style cultured butter, melted
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the cod fillets evenly.
- Dry the Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture, ensuring better seasoning adherence and baking texture.
- Season the Fish: Season both sides of the cod fillets generously with salt and pepper to enhance their natural flavor.
- Prepare the Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, grated garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and olive oil until the sauce is well combined and aromatic.
- Arrange Fillets: Place the seasoned cod fillets in a single layer inside a baking dish to allow even cooking.
- Apply Half the Sauce: Pour half of the butter sauce evenly over the cod fillets, coating them thoroughly for initial flavor infusion.
- Bake the Cod: Bake the fish for 12–15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), or until the fish flakes easily with a fork, indicating it is cooked through.
- Baste Halfway: Around halfway through the baking time, baste the fillets with the remaining butter sauce to keep them moist and flavorful.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the cod from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute and enhance tenderness.
Notes
- Use freshly grated garlic for the best flavor and aroma.
- Patting the fish dry before seasoning ensures a better crust and seasoning adherence.
- Basting halfway through baking helps keep the cod moist and flavorful.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or rice for a complete meal.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- European-style cultured butter can add a richer flavor compared to regular unsalted butter.
