Lemon Garlic Baked Cod

Juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make, this Lemon Garlic Baked Cod is the perfect weeknight dinner. With just a few simple ingredients, it’s packed with flavor and so versatile—serve it with rice, potatoes, or even use it in fish tacos for a delicious twist.

This Lemon Garlic Baked Cod is everything you want in a simple yet mouthwatering meal. It's juicy, tender, and packed with flavor—plus, it's incredibly easy to make. Whether you're cooking for a busy weeknight or preparing a special dinner, this recipe is a total winner. You simply pop the cod in the oven and let it bake to perfection, all while you focus on other things. It’s a perfect solution for anyone looking to enjoy a healthy, satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

What makes this dish really shine is the combination of garlic and lemon. They both pair so well with seafood. I love how sautéing the garlic beforehand softens its sharpness, creating a rich, sweet flavor that complements the mild fish perfectly. The lemon adds a refreshing, zesty kick, balancing the richness of the cod. And let’s not forget the fresh herbs, they really bring the whole dish to life, adding depth and a burst of freshness. You can serve it alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or a crisp salad, but I also love using this fish in fish tacos for a fun twist.

This Lemon Garlic Baked Cod is so versatile, too. You can experiment with different herbs, or swap the lemon for lime for a slightly different flavor. It’s a recipe you’ll keep coming back to time and time again. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to make it a regular on your dinner table.

Baked Cod Video Tutorial

Ingredients

The complete list of ingredients and their exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

cod
- Fresh cod is always the best choice for this recipe, but frozen cod will work in a pinch.
  - Just keep in mind that frozen fish tends to be a bit more watery when thawed and can sometimes become drier and tougher when cooked. It also has a stronger "fishy" flavor compared to fresh cod.
- If you're looking to switch it up, you can use other firm white fish like haddock, tilapia, pollock, or sole. I've even used this method for salmon and steelhead trout.
butter+olive oil
- While you can use either butter or olive oil on its own, I love the combination of both for the perfect balance of richness and flavor. The butter adds a nice creaminess, while the olive oil helps to keep things light. This mixture is used to sauté the garlic and to drizzle over the fish before baking.
garlic
- The garlic adds such a wonderful savory flavor to the fish.
lemon zest + lemon juice
- Both lemon zest and juice are key to bringing that bright, zesty kick to the dish. The zest adds a fragrant, citrusy aroma that really enhances the flavor of the fish, while the juice gives it that refreshing tartness. For serving, feel free to add more fresh lemon wedges to squeeze over the fish just before eating. It adds an extra burst of freshness.
dry herbs and seasonings
- In addition to salt and pepper, a blend of dry herbs really elevates the flavor of the cod. You can use any of your favorite spices and seasoning blends. I used Trader Joe's Onion Salt and Aglio Olio. You can also add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes if you want a little heat.
fresh herbs
- You can keep it simple and stick with just parsley, or mix things up with a combination of herbs. My top favorites are dill and chives, which pair beautifully with fish. If you want to try something more aromatic, rosemary and thyme are fantastic options too.

How To Make Lemon Garlic Baked Cod

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Make sure your oven is fully preheated before placing the fish inside.
Saute the garlic.
- Add the butter and olive oil to a pan, allowing them to melt and combine. Once the oils are heated, add the minced garlic and cook it gently.
- Stir occasionally, allowing the garlic to become fragrant and very slightly golden. Be careful not to overcook the garlic—if it gets too dark, it will become bitter and unpleasant.
- Garlic cooks quickly, so keep an eye on it. Turn off the heat as soon as the garlic is just golden, as the residual heat in the pan will continue to cook it even after you remove it from the burner.
Add lemon juice and lemon zest to the pan.
- Squeeze in fresh lemon juice and use a microplane grater to zest the lemon directly into the pan. The lemon juice (the volume of the liquid) will stop the cooking process and cool down the hot garlic mixture.
Place the fish on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Arrange the cod fillets on a rimmed baking sheet. Season both sides of the fish fillets generously with salt, pepper, and your choice of dry herbs and spices.
Spoon the garlic mixture over the fish fillets.
- Use a spoon to evenly drizzle the garlic-lemon mixture over the fish. Make sure the garlic is spread out, so every part of the fish gets a nice coating. Then, sprinkle the fish with fresh herbs, like parsley, dill, or chives.
Place the fish in the preheated oven and bake for about 15 minutes.
- Let the fish cook for about 15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Check for doneness by gently pressing on the fillet—if it flakes apart easily, it’s ready. Be careful not to overcook it, as fish can dry out quickly.

Serving the Fish

Once the fish is out of the oven, squeeze more fresh lemon juice over the top for a burst of brightness. Garnish with additional fresh herbs to add color and flavor.

For an added touch, you can place a slice of lemon on top of the fillets for a beautiful presentation. Just a heads-up: it's best not to add the lemon slices before baking, as the white pith can give the fish a bitter flavor. But once the fish is cooked, it’s the perfect garnish!

This recipe is super versatile, so you can easily pair it with a variety of sides. Here are some of our favorite options:

Or, if you’re feeling a little adventurous, try using the baked fish in Cod Fish Tacos—it’s a hit at big gatherings! We make this dish often when we're on family vacations because it’s easy to prepare and perfect for serving a crowd.