Baked Cod with Lemon Garlic Herbs (Printable Version)

Tender cod baked with lemon, garlic, and herbs for a light and healthy 30-minute meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Marinade

01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5 ounces each), boneless, skinless
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - Juice of 1 lemon
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Flavor & Herbs

07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
10 - Lemon slices, for garnish

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and place them in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
04 - Pour the marinade evenly over the cod fillets, ensuring each is well coated.
05 - Sprinkle chopped parsley, thyme leaves, and smoked paprika over the fish.
06 - Arrange lemon slices on top or around the fillets for extra flavor and presentation.
07 - Bake in the preheated oven for 16–20 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
08 - Remove from the oven, let rest for 2 minutes, then serve warm with your favorite sides.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together so fast you can have dinner on the table before takeout would even arrive
  • The fish stays incredibly moist while developing this gorgeous golden finish that looks way fancier than it is
02 -
  • Overcooked cod goes from perfect to rubbery in literally 60 seconds, so set a timer and check at the earliest moment
  • Patting the fish completely dry before marinating is what lets that beautiful golden coating actually stick instead of pooling underneath
03 -
  • If your fillets are different thicknesses, put the thinner ones on one side and remove them first
  • The fish is done when it reaches 63°C internally, no need to guess

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