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Baked Cod Recipe
Cod is my favorite fish, other than swai fish and tilapia.
Oven baked cod is one of the best fish recipes and the end result is always juicy and moist.
As cod fillets have very mild flavor, you only need a few simple ingredients such as lemon and olive oil to bake the fish. The key is to bring out the clean taste and sweetness without overpowering it with unnecessary seasonings.
This recipe offers the best tasting fish that rivals expensive restaurants and you can make it right in your home kitchen!
Why This Recipe Works
This simple and healthy recipe is so easy and calls for four (4) seasonings to bring out the natural flavors of cod fish. The cooking process takes as little as five (5) minutes prep time and ten (10) minutes baking time.
It’s a great dinner idea for those busy weeknights, especially after a long day at work and you just want to come home for a simple, healthy, and quick dinner.
Other fish Recipes You Might Like
Ingredients for Cod Fish Recipes
- Fresh or frozen cod – depending on your seafood market or grocery store, you may get the fish skin on or skinless. Either version works fine for this recipe.
- Olive oil – this coats the fish to retain moisture so the fish is juicy and tender. Olive oil also imparts an earthy aroma to the finished dish.
- Lemon juice – use freshly squeezed lemon juice for a tint of acidity.
- Cayenne pepper – adds a slight note of heat to the overall flavor. You may use smoked paprika if you do not have cayenne pepper.
How to Bake Cod?
To bake cod fillets in an oven, first you need a baking tray. I like using a glass baking tray.
You can also line a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper on a baking sheet and place the fish on top of it before baking.
The perfect temperature for baking cod fish is 400°F or 205°C.
How long to bake cod? The answer is 10 – 12 minutes; the baking time for cod fish depends on the thickness of the fish fillet.
DO NOT overcook the fish fillets or they will turn dry and rubbery.
Can I Use Frozen Cod Fillets?
Yes. Thaw the frozen cod fillet at room temperature before cooking. Do not cook frozen fish straight out of the freezer as the texture will be dry, tough and rubbery.
After thawing, I always pat dry the fish fillets with paper towels to remove excess water inside the fish. This simple step will make sure that there is no cloudy “fish water” seeping out after baking and the natural sweetness of cod will shine through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Healthy?
This recipe is healthy as cod fish is very low in fat. It’s high in lean protein and loaded with vitamin B-12, B3 (Niacin) and B6.
It has a lot of health benefits such as promoting heart wellness and brain functions. It’s also low in mercury.
How to Make it Moist and Juicy?
You should rub extra virgin olive oil generously on the surface of the fish fillet. Let it sit for 5 minutes. If you are in rush, drizzle olive oil generously on the fish.
You may cover your baking tray with a sheet of aluminum foil to keep the steam inside the tray. This simple step will ensure that your fish is not dry.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This baked cod fish is only 286 calories per serving.
What to Serve with This Recipe?
Serve this dish with side dishes such as boiled potatoes. For a healthy meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Baked Cod (The Best Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. (500g) cod fillets, rinsed and pat dry
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (207°C).
- Arrange the cod fillets in baking tray. Drizzle the olive oil onto the fish, follow by lemon juice, salt and cayenne pepper.
- Bake the cod in the oven for 10 - 12 minutes, depends on the thickness of the cod. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.
Delicious! I used Cajun spices with garlic powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Great idea. I love Cajun spices!