Baked Cod with Lemon Garlic (Printable)

Flaky cod fillets baked with lemon, garlic, and herbs delivering a healthy, flavorful dish.

# What You Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 cod fillets (5.3 oz each), skinless and boneless

→ Marinade & Seasonings

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tsp sea salt
06 - ½ tsp black pepper
07 - ½ tsp paprika
08 - 1 tsp dried parsley or 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

→ Garnish

09 - 1 lemon, sliced
10 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# How To Cook:

01 - Set the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
02 - Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, and parsley in a small bowl and mix well.
03 - Pat cod fillets dry using paper towels and place them evenly on the prepared baking sheet.
04 - Brush each fillet thoroughly with the marinade, coating both sides to enhance flavor.
05 - Place lemon slices atop the cod fillets to impart a fresh citrus aroma during baking.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes until the fish turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Remove the baking sheet from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley as desired, and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The fish comes out impossibly tender and flaky without any fussy techniques or fancy equipment.
  • It's ready in under thirty minutes, making weeknight dinners feel less like a chore and more like actual cooking.
  • Lemon and garlic do the heavy lifting, so you taste clean, bright flavors instead of feeling like you're eating diet food.
02 -
  • Overcooking cod by even a minute turns it dry and rubbery; trust your fork test instead of watching the clock.
  • Room-temperature fish cooks more evenly than fish straight from the fridge, so take it out five minutes before your oven is ready.
03 -
  • Pat your fish dry with paper towels immediately before cooking; this single step prevents the marinade from sliding right off.
  • Arrange lemon slices slightly overlapping so they steam the fish evenly and look beautiful on the plate.

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