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Golden baked cod fillets with lemon slices and garlic in a baking dish, garnished with fresh parsley, showing the perfect flaky texture of this lemon-garlic baked cod recipe

15-Minute Lemon-Garlic Baked Cod (Restaurant Quality!)

This Lemon-Garlic Baked Cod is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s ready in just 15 minutes. With flaky, tender cod infused with fresh lemon, garlic, and butter, it’s a foolproof recipe that delivers restaurant-quality results using simple, wholesome ingredients.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 245
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs cod loin fillet patted dry
  • Salt to taste
  • Fresh black pepper to taste
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter diced
  • 1 small lemon sliced into rounds
  • Fresh parsley chopped (optional garnish)
  • Optional substitutions: halibut sea bass, or mahi-mahi; ghee or vegan butter; lime juice; garlic powder (1 tsp)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) for even, gentle baking.
  2. Pat cod fillets dry and season both sides with salt and black pepper.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, and minced garlic.
  4. Place seasoned cod fillets in a baking dish without overlapping.
  5. Drizzle the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the fillets.
  6. Top with lemon slices and scatter diced butter over the fish.
  7. Bake for 12–15 minutes, until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (internal temp 145°F).
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure fillets are completely dry before baking to avoid steaming. For best flavor, use fresh lemon juice and high-quality olive oil. Do not overcook—remove when just opaque for tender, juicy results.