Description
Succulent Lemon Butter Baked Cod brings Mediterranean coastal flavors straight to your kitchen. Delicate fish fillets melt with zesty citrus and rich butter, promising a quick, elegant meal you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 (6 ounces / 170 grams) cod fillets
- 1/2 fresh lemon, sliced
Butter and Seasonings:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 2 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C), ensuring a consistent temperature for perfect baking. Select a spacious baking dish and lightly grease with butter or line with parchment paper to prevent fish from adhering.
- Create a vibrant lemon butter sauce by whisking softened butter with minced garlic, paprika, dried basil, salt, and ground black pepper until smooth and well-combined. The mixture should have a rich, aromatic consistency.
- Carefully position cod fillets in the prepared baking dish, allowing adequate space between each piece for even cooking. Generously coat each fillet with the prepared lemon butter mixture, ensuring complete and uniform coverage.
- Thinly slice half a lemon and delicately place rounds atop the buttered cod, which will infuse additional citrus essence during baking. Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, monitoring closely to prevent overcooking.
- Test fish doneness by gently pressing with a fork – it should flake easily and appear opaque. Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley, adding a vibrant green accent and subtle herbaceous flavor. Plate immediately with complementary side dishes for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and more even distribution of flavors across the cod fillets.
- While dried basil works great, fresh herbs can elevate the dish with a more vibrant and intense flavor profile.
- Fish is perfectly cooked when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork, typically around 145°F internal temperature.
- For a dairy-free version, replace butter with olive oil or plant-based butter alternatives to accommodate different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 583 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg