Description
This Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic is tender, flaky, and packed with bright Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Cod fillets are lightly coated with warm spices, quickly seared until golden, then baked in a buttery lemon-garlic sauce and finished with fresh parsley. It’s an easy seafood dinner that feels special enough for guests but simple enough for a busy weeknight.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cod
- 1 1/2 lb cod fillets, cut into 4–6 pieces
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for searing
For the Lemon Sauce
- 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
For the Coating
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3/4 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Prepare the lemon sauce: In a shallow bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, and melted butter. Do not add the garlic yet. Set aside.
- Mix the coating: In a second shallow bowl, combine the flour, coriander, paprika, cumin, salt, and black pepper.
- Coat the cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Dip each piece into the lemon mixture, then lightly coat it in the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess flour. Reserve the remaining lemon mixture.
- Sear the fish: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a cast-iron or oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Once shimmering, add the cod and sear for about 2 minutes per side, just until lightly golden. Do not cook it completely. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add the garlic: Stir the minced garlic into the reserved lemon sauce. Drizzle the mixture evenly over the seared cod.
- Bake: Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, checking thinner fillets sooner. The cod is ready when opaque, flaky, and cooked through.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle the baked cod with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately, spooning the lemon-garlic sauce from the skillet over each fillet.
Notes
- Pat the cod thoroughly dry before coating it for better browning.
- Cod fillets vary in thickness, so begin checking them before the full 10-minute baking time.
- For food safety, fish should reach 145°F at the thickest part.
- Avoid overcooking the cod, as lean white fish can dry out quickly.
- Haddock or halibut can be substituted, although cooking time may need adjusting.
- Serve with roasted potatoes, rice, couscous, asparagus, broccoli, or a fresh green salad.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on ingredients, brands, serving size, and the amount of sauce and coating consumed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 390 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg