Seafood dinners always feel a bit intimidating, but baked seafood—especially baked cod—is pretty easy to make.

Plus, cod filets are so versatile and pair with many different sides, so you can make them for a wide variety of situations—from casual dinners to special events.

This recipe for baked cod with a thyme-lemon butter sauce is simple and delicious, and it’ll make you look like a total pro in the kitchen.

And if you’re already a fan of making cod dinners, you’ll be able to add this article to your list of easy-baked cod recipes!

We’ll cover how to cook cod fish, special tips for baking cod, and more.

What Is Baked Cod?

Cod is a type of seawater fish that’s part of the Gadidae family. It’s found in many different areas worldwide, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean oceans.

Cod is a tasty yet pleasantly mild white fish and a popular seafood choice for many people. It’s an agreeable option for those who don’t love fishy-tasting seafood.

Plus, it’s a pretty versatile fish, so it can be used in many different recipes. You can fry it, bake it, poach it, and more.

In this recipe, we’ll be covering how to bake cod, which is arguably the best way to cook cod. Baked cod is a healthier option than frying it, and it’s also pretty simple to make.

This Baked cod recipe filet calls for a delicious thyme-lemon butter sauce. The sauce is also easy to make and takes this recipe to the next level.

Baked Cod

Cod is a type of seawater fish that's part of the Gadidae family. It's found in many different areas worldwide, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Mediterranean oceans.

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 2

Calories 347 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound Cod filets
• Salt, pepper and garlic powder
• ¼ cups All-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp Olive oil
• 3 Tbsp Butter
• 1 Lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon Thyme leaves

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Season your cod filets with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add other spices at this point if you'd like.
• Place the flour in a shallow dish. Dredge each cod filet in the flour until it's coated, then shake off any excess.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil.
• Once the oil is hot, place the cod filets in the pan and cook the filets for about 2 minutes per side or until golden brown.
• Transfer the cod filets to an oven-safe baking dish.
• Melt the butter over medium heat in the same pan that you used to cook the cod.
• Once the butter has melted, add the lemon juice, thyme leaves and any other seasonings you'd like.
• Cook the sauce for about 1 minute or until it's heated.
• Pour the sauce over the cod filets in the baking dish and bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the fish is cooked through.
• Serve immediately with your favorite sides.

Keyword baked cod, cod fillets, cod fish

Tips & Tricks For The Best Baked Cod

Here are a few key tricks and substitutes to help you make the best baked cod, considering varying skill levels and ingredient options:

• If you don’t have any all-purpose flour on hand, you can use bread crumbs or cornmeal as a substitute. Just make sure to use about 1/4 cup of whichever ingredient you choose.
• You can use any white fish for this recipe, but cod is a great option because it’s relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Other good options include halibut, tilapia, haddock, and mahi-mahi.
• For an extra flavor boost, add some chopped fresh parsley to the lemon butter sauce.
• If you want to make this dish even more flavorful, add some chopped garlic to the sauce. Just try not to add too much, or the sauce will be overpowering.
• If you don’t have any fresh lemons, you can use bottled lemon juice. Just be sure to use about two tablespoons, or the sauce will be too tart.
• If you want to simplify this recipe, you can skip making the lemon butter sauce. Instead, just drizzle some store-bought lemon juice over the cod filets before baking, and you’re good to go.
• You can easily double or triple this recipe to feed a larger crowd.

Nutrition Information of Baked Cod

Here’s the nutrition information for this simple baked cod recipe:

• Calories: 347
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 97 mg
• Sodium: 613 mg
• Carbohydrates: 11 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g

As you can see, this recipe is relatively high in protein and low in carbs, making it a great option if you’re watching your intake of those nutrients. It’s also relatively low in calories, especially considering the amount of protein you get.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you still have questions, see our answers to commonly asked questions regarding baked cod below:

Can I make this baked cod recipe ahead of time?

Although baked cod tastes the best when fresh, you can make this recipe ahead of time. Just cook the cod filets according to the recipe instructions, then store them in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the cod filets in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until they’re warmed through.

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes, you can freeze this recipe. Just cook the cod filets according to the recipe instructions, then place them in a freezer-safe container and place them in the freezer for up to three months.

When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw the cod filets in the fridge overnight, then reheat them in the oven until they’re warm.

What should I serve with baked cod?

Baked cod is versatile and goes with plenty of dishes and sides. Here are a few tasty options:

• Roasted or mashed potatoes
• Steamed rice
• Quinoa
• Farro
• Cauliflower rice
• Sauteed vegetables
• Side salad
• Fresh fruit
• Coleslaw
• Baked asparagus
• Fried okra

Conclusion

This baked cod recipe is simple, delicious, and perfect for a weeknight meal. It’s also relatively healthy, so you can feel great about feeding it to your family or friends. So give it a try the next time you’re looking for an easy, satisfying meal.