Easy Baked Cod Fillets Recipe

Cod fillets are shown baked in a white procelain fish baking dish with thyme and lemon slices.

Easy Baked Cod Fillets Recipe

Among the easiest of cod recipes this one, for baked cod fillets, delivers flaky fish with bright lemony flavor. Consider the sauce recipes suggested as an accompaniment to the fish.

No ratings yet

Print Pin

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 25

Servings:

Calories: 283kcal

Author: Milena Perrine

Ingredients

3 cod fillets about 1 inch thick
1 large lemon or 2 small lemons*
2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus more to brush baking dish
1 teaspoon salt or to taste
½ teaspoon pepper or to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
6-8 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375F.
In a bowl combine 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional), garlic powder, salt and pepper and olive oil. Slice the lemon(s) and set aside the largest slices. Squeeze out about 1 tablespoon lemon juice from the ends of the lemon(s) into the bowl with the marinade.
Mix the marinade and coat the fillets in it. Brush a baking dish with olive oil or line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the lemon slices as needed and place the marinade coated cod fillets on top. Scatter thyme sprigs around the fish.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cod flakes easily with a fork and is completely opaque, with internal temperature measured at the center of each fillet at 145 F or just a tad above. Serve garnished with fresh thyme or with pan sauce (ideas below).

Notes

Lemon zest has a strong citrus flavor and typically low bitterness. Once in a while however the pith of the lemon is so bitter that even if you scrape a miniscule amount of it as you zest the lemon skin it will impart a bitter flavor. To avoid this, taste the zest obtained from your lemon first and then decide if you want to leave it out.

Alternatively you can use preserved lemons in the marinade and underneath the fillets - the lemon flavor of the baked cod will be off the charts without a hint of bitterness.

PAN SAUCE IDEAS FOR BAKED COD:

Cajun Seafood Boil Sauce

Nutrition