Baked Cod

A simple, satisfying favorite.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• 20 minutes hands-off oven cooking.
• Light but rich from the garlic butter.
• One pan, easy cleanup.
• Pantry ingredients only.
• Pairs with any side from rice to roasted vegetables.

Ingredient Notes

• Cod is mild and forgiving; halibut, haddock, or pollock work the same.
• Real butter is essential — the foaming carries the garlic and lemon.
• Fresh lemon zest, not bottled.

Ingredient Substitutions

• Halibut, haddock, pollock, or tilapia.
• Capers + white wine (¼ cup) for piccata-style.
• Olive oil only for dairy-free.

Equipment Needed

• Baking dish
• Small bowl
• Microplane (for zest)

Prep Tips

• Bring cod to room temp 15 minutes before baking.
• Pat dry to prevent watery pan sauce.

Instructions

1. 1

   Gather and prep: 1 cod, 2 tbsp butter, 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1 lemon (for juice and zest), 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper. mince the garlic before you start cooking.

2. 2

   Place cod in baking dish.

3. 3

   Top with butter, garlic, lemon, oil.

4. 4

   Bake 400°F 15 min.

Artsi Pro Tips

• Bake at 400°F — hot enough to cook fast without drying.
• Don't skip the lemon zest at the end; it brightens everything.
• Spoon every drop of pan butter back over the fish.

Common Mistakes

• Overbaking — cod turns dry past 150°F.
• Burning garlic at the bottom of the dish — toss it with butter, don't scatter dry.
• Skipping the zest finish.

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