Baked Lemon Herb Cod (Print Version)

Light cod fillets baked with lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for a fresh, easy meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 2 cod fillets (approximately 6 ounces each)

→ Fats and Oils

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Citrus

04 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
05 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest

→ Aromatics and Herbs

06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - ½ teaspoon dried oregano
10 - ½ teaspoon dried thyme
11 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

12 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease to prevent sticking.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, oregano, thyme, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired until well incorporated.
03 - Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels to enhance flavor adherence. Place them in the prepared baking dish and evenly coat with the lemon herb mixture.
04 - Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
05 - Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately to preserve optimal texture and warmth.

# Additional Notes:

01 - For optimal zest flavor, zest the lemon just before preparing the marinade to capture the freshest oils.
02 - Use a baking dish sized just to fit the fillets to retain moisture and enhance flavor.
03 - Allow the baked cod to rest for 1 to 2 minutes before serving to improve flavor melding and juiciness.