Hands down the most simple way to prepare fish - Baked Lemon Cod is the easiest weeknight meal!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
Want to hear a confession? When I took my first ever job as a private chef I have absolutely ZERO idea how to make fish. I grew up not eating it, and we hadn't get covered fish in culinary school, and the family I was cooking for were big time fish lovers. So after getting over my initial fear of cooking fish, I threw together the simplest recipe I could imagine. Lemon, butter, salt, paprika and a fish that you can't easily mess up - Cod! You can whip up an amazing pan fried sole with lemon using similar and few ingredients in no time. The result was mind blowing and I impressed even myself! It's been on regular rotation ever since and it's the perfect lightened up main course that you can serve alongside some pesto broccoli, perhaps a bowl of garlic herb sweetpotato fries or even some spicy green beans.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Lemon Juice
- Butter
- All Purpose Flour
- Salt
- Paprika
- Lemon Pepper Seasoning
- Cod
- Fresh Parsley
- Lemon
*For a full list of ingredients and instructions please see recipe card below.
How to Make Baked Lemon Cod
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a shallow bowl, mix lemon juice and butter. In a separate shallow bowl, mix flour and seasonings. Dip fillets in lemon juice mixture, then in flour mixture to coat both sides.
Step 2: Place the prepped fish in a 13x9-in baking dish coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with remaining lemon juice mixture. Bake 12-15 minutes or until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork.
Step 3: Broil for the last 60 seconds to get a little bit of a golden crust. Garnish with parsley and lemon zest.
How to Store Baked Lemon Cod
Best eaten fresh, but you can store this in the fridge for 2-3 days. Warm it up in the oven when it is time to eat.
Tips & Tricks
I love to serve this with rice or pasta and a veggie.
FAQs
Does the paprika add heat?
It adds a little kick but is not too spicy, feel free to lower it or skip it if you would rather not.
What can I pair with this?
Add a salad, some fries or a veggie side like broccoli or green beans.
Similar Recipes
If you tried this recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting today
Baked Lemon Cod
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
- 1.5 pounds cod cut into 4 equal pieces
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons zested lemon peel
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a shallow bowl, mix lemon juice and butter. In a separate shallow bowl, mix flour and seasonings. Dip fillets in lemon juice mixture, then in flour mixture to coat both sides.
- Place the prepped fish in a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with remaining lemon juice mixture. Bake 12-15 minutes or until fish just begins to flake easily with a fork. Broil for the last 60 seconds to get a little bit of a golden crust.
- Garnish with parsley and lemon zest.
Do you use fresh fish or can you use frozen? Look deeeelish!
I used fresh - but you could use frozen! Just make sure to thaw it out entirely and then pat it dry before proceeding with the recipe!
This looks so good!! I am going to have to try this!
Looks like such a great dish! I love the crispiness of that crust!
Love the bright clean flavors you used!
Oh, Girl! It's insane how much I want to be devouring this right now!
I love how easy this is! Bookmarked!
Gaby, how much paprika do I use?
Hey Jacelyn!!! I'm actually re-posting this recipe in like 10 minutes so it will be updated momentarily!
Do you cover this with foil when you bake it in the oven?
you can! but I don't because then the first gets a really nice color 🙂
this is the best baked fish I have ever had thanks
I don't eat fish or seafood, but made this for my husband. He said it was really, really good. Maybe one of the best fish dishes he's ever tasted.
How many servings does this make ? How much fish for this recipe ?
serves 4!
This was the best fish I have EVER had!!!! Will be making this often for years to come! YUM!!!
awwwww thanks Tami!! xxoo
i love the color from the paprika! what a beautiful dish- and it looks nice and light too!
That looks SO good! I bet you get such great seafood out there. Keep it up, Gaby!
The cod looks absolutely perfectly cooked! Mmmm . . . now you'll have to tell us what would make a great accompaniment.
Parmesan crusted asparagus