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Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce garnished with parsley and lemon slices.

Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce

A simple, healthy seafood meal characterized by flaky white fish fillets infused with a tangy, rich sauce. This Mediterranean-style dish brings together fresh lemon, minced garlic, and a balanced butter-olive oil base for a restaurant-quality dinner ready in under 30 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Main Course, seafood
Cuisine: Greek
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ lbs cod loin fillets or haddock/tilapia
  • 3 –4 tbsp unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 3 –4 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 lemon sliced into rounds

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a baking dish.
  2. Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place in dish.
  3. Whisk melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, zest, and garlic in a small bowl.
  4. Pour sauce over fish. Top each fillet with lemon slices.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes with a fork.
  6. Garnish with parsley and spoon extra sauce over the fillets before serving.

Notes

  • Texture Tip: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure a better texture and prevent steaming.
  • Doneness: The fish is ready when it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, typically at an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
  • Flavor Boost: Always use fresh lemon juice and zest rather than bottled versions for the brightest aroma and flavor.
  • Serving: Spoon the extra buttery sauce from the dish over the fillets immediately before serving for maximum moisture.