The Best Baked Cod Recipe
What we love most about baked cod shines through in this recipe: it’s simple to make, budget-friendly, and, most of all, moist, and juicy! For all the folks that roll their eyes at the thought of cod, this recipe will win hearts and minds. The delicate, yet hearty filet cooks at high heat for a short amount of time, resulting in a flakey, tender, buttery cod filet, sophisticated enough for an elevated experience but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Cod baked in oven is an excellent introduction for people who might not like fish and a blank slate for whatever you pair it with because it’s so mild. In 15 minutes, you’ll have a quick healthy meal that is low in fat and loaded with B vitamins for the entire family. Wondering how else to prepare this delicious dish? Check out Baked Cod with Parsley Olive Tapenade for inspiration!
What Do You Need For Easy Baked Cod
You don’t need many ingredients for melt-in-your-mouth healthy baked cod with butter. In our recipe for baked cod, you’ll need the following eight ingredients:
Unsalted butter
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Paprika
Kosher salt
Freshly cracked black pepper
Fresh Cod
Fresh parsley
What To Serve With Baked Cod
We like to think that a baked cod fillet is the ideal vehicle for pops of flavor. It pairs naturally with Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Reduction, Roasted Zucchini with Parmesan, or Panzanella! It also accompanies potatoes oh-so-perfectly, so we’ve curated a list of 30 Best Potato Recipes, our favorites being Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Rosemary Roasted Potatoes, and Crispy Shallot Mashed Potatoes. For a cozy dinner, try it with Instant Pot Mac and Cheese. If you're looking for healthier options, we love Simple Green Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette, Steamed Broccoli, Roasted Carrots, and Creamed Spinach. When in doubt, start with a bubbling crock of French Onion Soup and let the deliciousness follow.
How Long to Bake Cod
Follow these step-by-step instructions for how to bake cod:
Prepare the seasoning! Simple is best – we like the cod to shine! Combine melted butter with garlic, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
Brush and bake: Pat dry to achieve a golden-brown, slightly crispy outside! Then, carefully brush the cod filet with the marinade mixture. Bake at 450°F, undisturbed for 10-12 minutes, or when it flakes on your fork.
Enjoy! Garnish your buttery, tender oven baked cod with fresh parsley.
While other baked cod recipes might bake their cod at 350°F, or 400°F, our tried and tested recipe found that the tenderest of cod was best at 450°F.
Tools You’ll Need For Buttery Baked Cod
Our Favorite Fish Recipes!
When looking for a light, elegant option that packs the protein, we turn to our favorite fish recipes. Salmon, cod, and other hearty fish are neutral in flavor and pair well with almost any bright flavor from citrus, tomato, or herbs. We like:
Baked Salmon with Grapefruit Salad - Bright, beautiful pops of citrus complement melt-in-your-mouth salmon
Fish Puttanesca - Rich tomatoes, briny olives, and hearty white fish make for the perfect pairing
Fish and Chips - Crispy, hot salty chips meet lightly battered flakey fish in this undeniably delicious British classic.
Salmon en Papillote (Salmon in Parchment) - tender and moist, this easy baking technique works for you and creates its own lemony sauce
Craving Cod?
Did you make our easy baked cod recipe? We’d love to see it, and maybe, even the beautiful people you shared it with. Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating!
