Description
Enjoy a light and flavorful Lemon Garlic Baked Cod recipe that’s quick to prepare and perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. Tender cod fillets are marinated in a zesty lemon and garlic olive oil mixture, baked to flaky perfection, and garnished with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Cod Fillets
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
Marinade
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
- Salt, to taste (about 1/2 teaspoon)
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon)
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the cod fillets evenly.
- Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a baking dish with a small amount of olive oil to ensure the cod does not stick during baking.
- Make the marinade: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined to create a flavorful lemon-garlic mixture.
- Marinate the cod: Place the cod fillets in the greased baking dish and pour the lemon-garlic marinade evenly over the fish, making sure each fillet is well coated. Let the fillets marinate for 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Bake the cod: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the cod for 12-15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the cod from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top. Serve immediately with your choice of sides such as steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- Marinating the cod for 15-20 minutes enhances the flavor but avoid longer marinating to keep the texture firm.
- Make sure not to overcook the cod to maintain its flaky and tender texture.
- You can substitute fresh parsley with fresh dill or cilantro if desired.
- For a dairy-free and gluten-free meal, this recipe is naturally suitable.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor rather than bottled lemon juice.
