Perfect Oven Baked Cod

A flaky oven-baked cod that's buttery and garlicky with a burst of lemon. This refreshing and light main course is perfect for a weeknight dinner. These baked cod fillets will be a family favorite!

 

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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

If you usually go for cod deep-fried with fries on the side, you’re not alone—fish and chips are a classic for a reason. But this baked version is something else. It’s tender, full of flavor, and shows just how good cod can be when you keep it simple and let the seasoning shine.

Baking fish in the oven is one of my go-to weeknight dinners because it's healthy and easy. Whether it's baked salmon, tilapia, or cod, this recipe is one you'll use again and again.

Ingredients and Tools Needed

• Codfish fillets - defrosted and patted dry.
• Dry Seasoning - Garlic powder, Kosher salt, Paprika, Black pepper
• Unsalted butter, Lemon, and Parsley for serving.

Tools Needed For Oven-Baked Cod

• 3-quart baking dish
• Knife & Cutting board
• Fish spatula

How To Make The Perfect Oven-Baked Cod

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry fish fillets with a paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Place fillets in a 3-quart baking dish. 

Sprinkle the fillets with kosher salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper. Add butter and sliced lemon over the top of the fillets. 

Place in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the fish is flaky and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Remove fish from oven and sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving. 

Can I Use Frozen Cod?

If you don't have a local fish market near you with fresh fish, buying frozen cod is the next best thing. I would recommend buying a wild-caught cod versus a farm-raised cod. Wild-caught cod will have a fresher flavor, leaner meat, and no fishy aftertaste.

I suggest defrosting frozen fish before baking. If you prefer to bake from frozen, bake the fish for 20-25 minutes.

What To Serve With Baked Cod

Oven-baked cod can truly be served with almost anything! If you want it with vegetables, asparagus or broccoli would nicely complement baked cod.

If a salad side is more your speed, serve your fish alongside a fresh Quinoa Avocado Salad or Beet and Orange Salad.

My go-to grain with this dish is rice because it soaks up all that buttery, lemony sauce from the fish. So good!

Different Ways To Season Oven-Baked Cod

Want to change up the flavor profile of your oven-baked cod? Any of the spices listed below will taste equally amazing.

• Homemade Fish Seasoning: Use 1.5 - 2 teaspoons of fish seasoning per pound of cod.
• Blackened Cod: Want a little kick? Swap out the spices with blackened seasoning.
• Cajun Baked Cod: A deliciously spicy baked dish with this added cajun seasoning.
• All-purpose seasoning: This flavor combo is an all-around winner when it comes to any recipe.

Notes

• The thickness of your fillets will determine how long they need to be baked. Thinner fillets will cook faster in the oven.
• Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.

Looking for more fish recipes? Try these out:

• Air Fryer Fish Tacos
• Crispy Air Fryer Fish
• Homemade Fish Seasoning
• Brown Stew Fish
• Fried Catfish

 If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below!