Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce

Alright, picture this: the light from the kitchen window casting a golden glow while the scent of garlic and fresh lemon fills the air. This Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Butter Sauce is one of those dishes I turn to when I want something that feels fancy but is totally easy to pull off on a weeknight. The flaky, tender cod baked in a buttery, lemony garlic sauce hits all the right notes—bright, rich, and oh-so comforting. Plus, there’s a little secret here: you can make the sauce right in the same pan, no extra mess, which they never teach you in cooking school but is a total game changer at home!

Quick Facts

Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

For the Main Dish:

1 ½ lbs cod fillets (about 4 pieces)
2 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)

For the Butter Sauce:

4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
1 tsp garlic powder (optional, if you want an extra garlic punch)

How I Make It

Step 1:

First things first, preheat your oven to 400°F. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to ensure a nice sear and better sauce adhesion. Then, season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and half the lemon zest.

Step 2:

Heat the olive oil in a medium oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Once shimmering, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned (burnt garlic is a no-go!).

Step 3:

Gently lay the cod fillets in the pan. Let them cook for 2 minutes without moving—this helps develop a slight golden edge. Flip each piece carefully and let it cook another 2 minutes.

Step 4:

Sprinkle the remaining lemon zest and squeeze the juice from the lemon over the fish. Now, add the butter, cutting it into small pats and dotting it around the fillets.

Step 5:

Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 8–10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fillets. The fish should flake easily with a fork when done.

Step 6:

Remove from oven, spoon the melted butter sauce over the cod, sprinkle chopped parsley if using, and serve immediately to enjoy all those luscious flavors!

Variations & Tips

Swap cod for haddock or halibut for a different but similar flaky white fish experience.
If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer fish to a baking dish after searing garlic and fish on the stovetop.
For extra richness, stir a teaspoon of capers or a pinch of red pepper flakes into the butter sauce.
Serve it with crusty bread to soak up all that buttery lemon-garlic goodness.
Don’t overbake! Cod cooks quickly—keep an eye on it and pull it out as soon as it flakes.
Leftovers? Flake into salads or fish tacos the next day for a tasty second life.

How I Like to Serve It

I love pairing this cod with a side of garlicky roasted asparagus or a light cucumber salad for freshness. In colder months, creamy mashed potatoes or buttery rice pilaf are perfect partners. And, of course, don’t forget a chilled glass of crisp white wine to really elevate the experience!

Notes

Store leftover cod in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Reheat gently in a microwave or oven at low heat to avoid drying out the fish.

Closing: This baked lemon-garlic cod recipe always feels like a special dinner yet comes together so easily that it quickly becomes a weeknight favorite!