Description
This Lemon Herb Butter Baked Cod is a light, flavorful dish where tender cod fillets are baked in a zesty lemon herb butter sauce with fresh cherry tomatoes and aromatic herbs. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner, it features a delightful balance of citrus and herbs that enhance the mild, flaky fish.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4–6 cod fillets (about 1 1/2 lbs of cod)
Vegetables
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Herb Butter Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon parsley, minced
- 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon dill leaves, minced
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Garnish
- 4–6 lemon slices
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and help with even cooking.
- Make Herb Butter Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, paprika, thyme leaves, dill, and parsley until the mixture is well combined and fragrant.
- Prepare Cod: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper. Then brush each fillet thoroughly with the prepared herb butter mixture and place them in the greased baking dish.
- Add Tomatoes and Lemon Slices: Scatter the halved cherry tomatoes and lemon slices evenly around and on top of the cod fillets in the baking dish. Drizzle any remaining herb butter mixture evenly over the fish and tomatoes to ensure full flavor coverage.
- Bake the Cod: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. The cod is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork, maintaining its tender texture without drying out.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the cod with any remaining fresh herbs if desired. Serve the cod hot with the flavorful pan sauce spooned over the top for a delicious finish.
Notes
- You can substitute cod with other firm white fish like haddock or halibut as desired.
- For extra zest, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the herb butter for a subtle heat.
- Ensure the cod fillets are evenly sized for consistent cooking time.
- If a dairy-free option is needed, substitute butter with olive oil, though flavor and texture will slightly differ.
- Serve with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet with sauce and tomatoes (approximately 6 oz)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: baked cod, lemon herb cod, healthy fish recipe, easy seafood dinner, lemon butter fish, baked white fish
