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5 Secrets to 20 Minute Dinners!
Tips, tricks, and recipes for dinner in a hurry!
Discover The Best Baked Cod Recipe
Cod is one of my favorite types of fish to work with, along with swai fish and tilapia. Its mild, non-fishy, delicate flavor pairs well with various seasonings and sauces. In this baked cod recipe, I choose baking and I’m only using olive oil, lemon juice, and cayenne pepper to bring out the natural flavor of the cod.
Aside from baked salmon, this oven baked cod is one of the easiest fish recipes you can make in under 20 minutes. It calls for only six (6) simple ingredients and it doesn’t need a lot of prep work—with only two steps—making it ideal for those days when you’re short on time or energy to cook.
Why is this the ultimate recipe? With over 1,000 glowing reviews and a stellar rating exceeding 4.6, it’s been put to the test by home cooks worldwide.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple yet flavorful. Less is more in this recipe! You only need four key ingredients to cook this tender, flaky, and tasty baked cod in the oven.
- Non-fishy and perfectly cooked. My cod was impeccably seasoned and baked to perfection, with a delicate texture and a flavor that was anything but fishy.
- Quick and easy. Prep time takes as little as 5 minutes, and the fish is ready to serve in just 10 minutes. It’s great for busy weeknights when you want a quick yet satisfying meal, especially after a long day at work.
- Healthy and nutritious. Cod is a lean protein source that is low in calories and high in essential nutrients. Always a nice option for a healthy and balanced meal!
What Goes Into Baked Cod
- cod – use fresh cod fillets for the best texture and flavor. If you can only find frozen, make sure to thaw them completely before baking.
- olive oil – coats the fish to help retain moisture while baking. It also imparts a subtle earthy flavor to the dish.
- lemon juice – freshly squeezed lemon juice adds a hint of acidity that brightens up the flavor of the fish.
- cayenne pepper – adds a little kick of heat. You may use smoked paprika if you do not have cayenne pepper.
Please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full details on each ingredient.
Variation in Cooking Techniques
The best cooking method for cod fish is baking, shallow poaching or pan-frying. Here are a few variations in the home kitchen.
- Shallow Poaching. Season the fish per the recipe card, starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven. Shallow poaching is the standard technique used in restaurants. It combines both moist and dry heat cooking and cooked in one pan.
- Pan-frying. Pan-fry with some melted unsalted butter, make sure both sides of the fish are evenly cooked. Top with your favorite sauce such as lemon-butter or tomato-basil.
- Steaming. Apply traditional Chinese steaming cooking method by steaming fish in a steamer. The light flavor of cod fish shines through with this simple technique. All it needs is a splash of soy sauce on top of the fish, plus some chopped scallions.
Looking for a Japanese twist on this baked cod recipe? Try one of my easy cod recipes, Miso Black Cod.
Fresh Cod or Frozen Cod
Either fresh or frozen cod works fine for this baked cod recipe. Although fresh is always preferred, frozen cod fillets work just as well in this recipe. A good choice would be the Frozen Kirkland Signature Atlantic Wild Caught Cod Loins (2 lbs bag) from Costco, which is what I used, as shown in the picture above.
Ultimately, it all depends on your own preference, budget, and availability of cod fish.
How to Bake Cod
Baking cod is a simple and foolproof way to achieve perfectly cooked fish every time. The baking process seals in the moisture and creates a firm yet flaky texture that makes it enjoyable to eat.
If using frozen fish fillets, thaw them completely before baking. Do not use frozen fish straight out of the freezer as the texture will be dry, tough, and rubbery.
After thawing, I always pat dry the fillets with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This simple step ensures that there will be no cloudy “fish water” seeping out of the fish while baking.
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Arrange the cod fillets in a baking tray. Drizzle olive oil onto the fish, followed by lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper.
Step 2: Bake the cod in the oven for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
How Long to Cook Cod in the Oven
The exact cooking time for baked cod depends on the thickness of the fillets. Generally, it takes about 10 to 12 minutes to cook a regular fillet at 400°F or 205°C. If you have thicker cod loin, extend the baking time by a maximum of 2 to 3 minutes.
The fish is perfectly cooked when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. It should be plump and fleshy without any cracks on the surface.
DO NOT overbake the fish fillets, or they will turn rubbery and dry. If your cod fish breaks apart with a crack after baking, it means you have overcooked it.
Helpful Tips For Home Cooks
- I recommend using a glass baking tray as it retains heat better and helps food cook evenly.
- Cover the baking tray with a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper before baking to keep the fish moist, tender, and juicy.
- To prevent dryness, drizzle and rub both sides of the cod fillets with a good amount of extra virgin olive oil. Let them sit for 5 minutes before adding other seasonings to the fish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Cod Have a Strong Fishy Flavor?
Cod belongs to the category of low-activity, saltwater fish. Due to its limited movement, its flesh is thick, light in color, and boasts a very mild flavor. Additionally, cod has lower oil content compared to other fish. As a result, it doesn’t have a strong fishy taste
Is Baked Cod Healthy?
Yes, baked cod is a healthy dish as cod is very low in fat and high in lean protein. It contains vitamins and minerals such as B12, B6, and B3 (niacin). Compared to other types of fish, it contains low levels of mercury.
What’s The Ideal Baking Temperature For Cod?
The optimal cooking temperature for cod fish is 400°F or 205°C, typically for 10 to 12 minutes. However, the exact cooking time may vary based on the thickness of the fillets. Given its delicate nature, baking cod at a higher temperature for a shorter duration helps maintain its tenderness and moisture.
How To Cook Cod So It’s Not Dry?
Before baking, rub the cod fillets with a good amount of extra virgin olive oil. Let them sit for 5 minutes to prevent them from drying out in the oven. If you’re in a rush, drizzle olive oil generously over the fish. Another trick is to cover the baking tray with a sheet of aluminum foil or parchment paper to keep the steam inside. Adding a bit of lemon juice or even white wine before baking can also add a lot of moisture and flavor.
How Do I Know When Baked Cod Is Done?
This fish is done when the flesh turns opaque in color and it easily flakes with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C). Do not over cook or over bake!
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This baked cod recipe is only 286 calories.
What to Serve with Baked Cod
Serve these delicious lemon butter cod fillets with side dishes such as boiled potatoes, roasted vegetables, or fresh salad. For a complete and healthy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes:
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please share your photo in the Comments section and consider giving it a 5-star rating. I can’t wait to see your creations! Want more easy and delicious recipes? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
Baked Cod (The Best Recipe!)
Ingredients
- 1 lb. (500g) cod fillets or cod loins, rinsed and pat dry
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (207°C). Arrange the cod fillets in a baking tray. Drizzle olive oil onto the fish, followed by lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper.
- Bake the cod in the oven for 10 – 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the cod. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- If using frozen fish fillets, thaw them completely before baking. Pat dry the fillets with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture.
- You may use skin-on cod fish, they work the same.
- Use a glass baking tray as it retains heat better and helps food cook evenly.
- Cover the baking tray with a piece of aluminum foil or parchment paper before baking.
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- Watch the cooking video for a step-by-step guide.
Mine came out rubbery and I thought I did everything right
This means it was overcooked. If the piece you are using is smaller or thinner, you may have to adjust cooking time.
This is the perfect recipe for a busy person. It takes virtually no prep time, and it’s delicious. Of course I did squeeze more lemon when it was done. Mmmm
Awesome!😊👍
This was delicious. Quick, easy and tasty. I will make this again.
Nice!😊👍
Made this for a dinner party and every thought it was very taste and believe me they would tell me if it was not ?
Awesome!😊👍
Delicious! I added a little pink Himalayan salt,thyme onion powder and a dash of paprika. Topped with Panko bread crumbs and Parmesan ( just a small amount for crunch ) it was so good!
Awesome!
(I followed recipe exactly, just delicious and sooo easy. Thank You!
I really like this recipe! Yes , it’s easy and delicious. I plan to use it frequently.
EASY & TASTY!
😊👍
This was super easy and delicious, highly recommend it!
😊👍
Can I use something else besides cayenne. I don’t have any.
Just use chili powder or paprika.
I used Paprika instead of cayenne powder. You can use more than a couple of dashes. A little more lemon juice needed. Very delicious!
😊👍
Cayenne is super hot pepper! Paprika is not a substitute. The heat of chili powders varies (hot, mild, sweet).
Have fixed this recipe several times. It’s awesome.
😊👍
So simple, so quick and so tasty!
😊👍