Garlic Butter Baked Cod Simply Delicious Dinner Delight

August 22, 2025 by Natalie

Welcome to the world of flavor with my Garlic Butter Baked Cod! This dish is simple yet tasty, perfect for a delightful dinner. Picture tender cod fillets smothered in rich garlic butter, ready to impress your family or guests. I’ll guide you through easy steps, and share tips on seasoning and pairings. Ready to make a meal that’s as satisfying as it is delicious? Let’s dive in!

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

4 cod fillets (6 oz each)
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
4 cloves garlic, minced

To make the garlic butter baked cod, you need simple yet fresh ingredients. Cod fillets are the star of this dish. They are mild and flaky, making them perfect for baking. The butter adds richness and helps the garlic flavor shine. Minced garlic gives it a strong, aromatic touch.

Seasoning and Garnish

1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Lemon wedges for serving
Fresh parsley for garnish

Next, you need seasoning for a burst of flavor. Lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the butter. Dried parsley adds a touch of color and earthiness. Paprika gives a hint of warmth. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. For serving, fresh lemon wedges and parsley make a lovely garnish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preparation Steps

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Mixing the Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice.
Add dried parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed.
Coat each cod fillet with the garlic butter sauce. Make sure they are well covered.

Baking the Cod

Place the coated cod fillets in the baking dish.
Bake them for 12-15 minutes. Check if the cod is opaque and flakes easily.
For a nice golden color, broil the fillets for 2-3 minutes. Watch them closely to avoid burning.

Tips & Tricks

Cooking Tips

To ensure your cod is fresh, look for bright eyes and shiny skin. Fresh cod smells like the ocean, not fishy. When seasoning, be bold but balanced. Use salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors. A little paprika adds warmth and depth. For better taste, let the butter mix sit a few minutes before using it. This helps the flavors blend well.

Presentation Tips

When serving, place the cod on a nice plate. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Add lemon wedges next to the fish. This not only looks great but offers a fresh burst of flavor. You can also drizzle extra garlic butter over the top for a tasty finish.

Make Ahead Suggestions

You can prepare the garlic butter mix a day ahead. Store it in the fridge for easy use later. You can also coat the cod fillets in the mix in advance. Just cover and chill until you’re ready to bake. This makes cooking a breeze on busy days. Just remember to bring the fillets to room temp before baking for best results.

Variations

Flavor Variations

You can easily change the taste of your garlic butter baked cod. Adding herbs and spices can make it special. Try fresh thyme or rosemary for a nice twist. You can also mix in some crushed red pepper for heat. If you want a citrus kick, add orange juice instead of lemon juice.

Another fun idea is to use different marinades. A soy sauce and ginger mix will give a nice Asian flair. You could also try a honey mustard glaze for a sweet and tangy vibe. Each variation lets you explore new flavors and keeps dinner exciting!

Protein Alternatives

If you want to switch things up, use other fish or proteins. Salmon works great with garlic butter. It bakes beautifully and stays moist. You can also try tilapia or halibut for a lighter option. For non-fish proteins, chicken breasts are an excellent choice. Just adjust the cooking time, as chicken may take longer to cook through.

Side Dish Pairings

Baked cod pairs well with many sides. Roasted vegetables, like broccoli or asparagus, add color and nutrients. A fluffy rice pilaf makes a nice base and soaks up the garlic butter sauce. You can also serve it with a fresh salad, like a simple cucumber and tomato mix. These sides will complement the cod and round out your meal nicely!

Storage Info

Leftover Storage

To store your leftover garlic butter baked cod, place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the fish fresh and tasty. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it.

Reheating Methods

Reheating baked cod is easy. The best way is to use the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cod fillets on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10 minutes. You can also use the microwave. Just heat for 30 seconds at a time until warm. This keeps the fish moist.

Freezing Guidelines

Yes, you can freeze baked cod. Wrap each fillet tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. This helps avoid freezer burn. You can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating.

FAQs

What should I serve with Garlic Butter Baked Cod?

You can serve Garlic Butter Baked Cod with many tasty sides. Some great options include:

Steamed broccoli
Roasted asparagus
Garlic mashed potatoes
Rice or quinoa
Fresh salad

These sides balance the rich flavors of the cod and make your meal complete. You can also add lemon wedges for a zesty touch.

Can I use frozen cod for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen cod! Just make sure to thaw it first. Place the frozen fillets in the fridge overnight or use the microwave on defrost. This helps the cod cook evenly. The baking time may be slightly longer if the fillets are very thick.

How do I know when the cod is done cooking?

You can tell cod is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Use a fork to gently poke the fillet. If it falls apart, it is ready. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) for safe eating. If you want a golden finish, broil for a few minutes at the end.

Baking cod with garlic butter is simple and tasty. We explored the key ingredients, preparation steps, and helpful tips. Remember to focus on fresh cod and proper seasoning for the best results. You can add your favorite spices or try different proteins. Storing and reheating leftovers is easy, so no need to waste food. Enjoy your baked cod with lemon and parsley for a bright finish. This meal will impress your family and friends every time. Happy cooking!

$- 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - 4 cloves garlic, minced To make the garlic butter baked cod, you need simple yet fresh ingredients. Cod fillets are the star of this dish. They are mild and flaky, making them perfect for baking. The butter adds richness and helps the garlic flavor shine. Minced garlic gives it a strong, aromatic touch. - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 teaspoon dried parsley - 1 teaspoon paprika - Salt and pepper to taste - Lemon wedges for serving - Fresh parsley for garnish Next, you need seasoning for a burst of flavor. Lemon juice brightens the dish and balances the butter. Dried parsley adds a touch of color and earthiness. Paprika gives a hint of warmth. Salt and pepper enhance all the flavors. For serving, fresh lemon wedges and parsley make a lovely garnish. - Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). - Line a baking dish with parchment paper for easy cleanup. - In a small bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and lemon juice. - Add dried parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until well mixed. - Coat each cod fillet with the garlic butter sauce. Make sure they are well covered. - Place the coated cod fillets in the baking dish. - Bake them for 12-15 minutes. Check if the cod is opaque and flakes easily. - For a nice golden color, broil the fillets for 2-3 minutes. Watch them closely to avoid burning. To ensure your cod is fresh, look for bright eyes and shiny skin. Fresh cod smells like the ocean, not fishy. When seasoning, be bold but balanced. Use salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors. A little paprika adds warmth and depth. For better taste, let the butter mix sit a few minutes before using it. This helps the flavors blend well. When serving, place the cod on a nice plate. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color. Add lemon wedges next to the fish. This not only looks great but offers a fresh burst of flavor. You can also drizzle extra garlic butter over the top for a tasty finish. You can prepare the garlic butter mix a day ahead. Store it in the fridge for easy use later. You can also coat the cod fillets in the mix in advance. Just cover and chill until you're ready to bake. This makes cooking a breeze on busy days. Just remember to bring the fillets to room temp before baking for best results. {{image_2}} You can easily change the taste of your garlic butter baked cod. Adding herbs and spices can make it special. Try fresh thyme or rosemary for a nice twist. You can also mix in some crushed red pepper for heat. If you want a citrus kick, add orange juice instead of lemon juice. Another fun idea is to use different marinades. A soy sauce and ginger mix will give a nice Asian flair. You could also try a honey mustard glaze for a sweet and tangy vibe. Each variation lets you explore new flavors and keeps dinner exciting! If you want to switch things up, use other fish or proteins. Salmon works great with garlic butter. It bakes beautifully and stays moist. You can also try tilapia or halibut for a lighter option. For non-fish proteins, chicken breasts are an excellent choice. Just adjust the cooking time, as chicken may take longer to cook through. Baked cod pairs well with many sides. Roasted vegetables, like broccoli or asparagus, add color and nutrients. A fluffy rice pilaf makes a nice base and soaks up the garlic butter sauce. You can also serve it with a fresh salad, like a simple cucumber and tomato mix. These sides will complement the cod and round out your meal nicely! To store your leftover garlic butter baked cod, place it in an airtight container. This helps keep the fish fresh and tasty. You can keep it in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, consider freezing it. Reheating baked cod is easy. The best way is to use the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the cod fillets on a baking sheet. Heat for about 10 minutes. You can also use the microwave. Just heat for 30 seconds at a time until warm. This keeps the fish moist. Yes, you can freeze baked cod. Wrap each fillet tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. Remove as much air as possible. This helps avoid freezer burn. You can store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw it in the fridge overnight before reheating. You can serve Garlic Butter Baked Cod with many tasty sides. Some great options include: - Steamed broccoli - Roasted asparagus - Garlic mashed potatoes - Rice or quinoa - Fresh salad These sides balance the rich flavors of the cod and make your meal complete. You can also add lemon wedges for a zesty touch. Yes, you can use frozen cod! Just make sure to thaw it first. Place the frozen fillets in the fridge overnight or use the microwave on defrost. This helps the cod cook evenly. The baking time may be slightly longer if the fillets are very thick. You can tell cod is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Use a fork to gently poke the fillet. If it falls apart, it is ready. The internal temperature should reach 145°F (63°C) for safe eating. If you want a golden finish, broil for a few minutes at the end. Baking cod with garlic butter is simple and tasty. We explored the key ingredients, preparation steps, and helpful tips. Remember to focus on fresh cod and proper seasoning for the best results. You can add your favorite spices or try different proteins. Storing and reheating leftovers is easy, so no need to waste food. Enjoy your baked cod with lemon and parsley for a bright finish. This meal will impress your family and friends every time. Happy cooking!$