Baked Cod with Lemon

Name: Baked Cod with Lemon
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1.5 lb thick cod fillets, skin removed; 0.75 tsp kosher salt; freshly ground black pepper; 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice; 1 lemon zest, finely grated; 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tsp dried oregano, crumbled between your fingers; 2 tbsp shallot, finely minced; 2 tbsp garlic cloves, minced to a paste; 0.5 tsp sweet paprika; fresh parsley, roughly chopped; lemon slices for serving

Tender Cod with Bright Lemon-Herb Crust

Cod's delicate flesh shines when treated simply — a zesty marinade soaks into the fillets while the oven works its gentle magic. The result is perfectly flaky fish with Mediterranean flavors that don't compete with the seafood's natural sweetness.

MediterraneanDinnerGluten FreeLow CarbDairy FreeQuick MealsHealthyBakingSeafoodFish

Prep10 min

Cook20 min

Total30 min

Servings4

Difficultyeasy

Ingredients

1½ lbthick cod fillets, skin removed
¾ tspkosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
2 tbspfresh lemon juice
1 lemon zest, finely grated
2 tbspextra-virgin olive oil
1 tspdried oregano, crumbled between your fingers
2 tbspshallot, finely minced
2 tbspgarlic cloves, minced to a paste
½ tspsweet paprika

Garnish

fresh parsley, roughly chopped(optional)
lemon slices for serving(optional)

Instructions

Heat your oven to 400°F and position a rack in the center. The steady heat at this temperature will cook the cod through without drying it out.
Lay the cod fillets on paper towels and pat them completely dry — any surface moisture will prevent proper browning. Season both sides evenly with the salt and several generous grinds of black pepper.
Whisk together the lemon juice, zest, olive oil, oregano, minced shallot, and garlic in a small bowl until well combined. This aromatic mixture will infuse the fish as it bakes.
Pour about half the lemon mixture into the bottom of a baking dish just large enough to hold the fillets in a single layer. Nestle the seasoned cod on top, then brush the remaining mixture over each fillet. Dust everything with the paprika for color and mild warmth.
Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 17-20 minutes, until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork and registers 130°F on an instant-read thermometer. The edges should look just opaque while the center remains barely translucent.
⏱ 19 min
Transfer to serving plates and finish with a scatter of fresh parsley and lemon slices alongside. Serve immediately while the fish is at its most tender.