Garlic Butter Baked Cod

Featured in: Cozy Coastal Meals

This dish features tender, flaky cod fillets baked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce combined with fresh parsley, dill, and chives. The fish is seasoned lightly with sea salt, black pepper, and optional smoked paprika, then oven-baked until perfectly opaque and flaky. Served with lemon wedges and fresh herbs, it delivers a delicate Mediterranean-inspired flavor. Perfect for a quick, gluten-free pescatarian meal, it pairs well with roasted vegetables or salads.

Updated on Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:02:00 GMT
Tender garlic butter baked cod with herbs, drizzled in a rich sauce.  Save
Tender garlic butter baked cod with herbs, drizzled in a rich sauce. | coraloven.com

Tender, flaky cod fillets baked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with fresh herbs for a light, flavorful meal.

This recipe quickly became a family favorite with its rich garlic butter flavor and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

  • Fish: 4 cod fillets (about 150–180 g each) skinless and boneless
  • Garlic Butter: 60 g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter melted 3 cloves garlic minced 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 1 tsp lemon zest
  • Herbs: 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh dill finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh chives finely chopped
  • Seasonings: ½ tsp sea salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • Garnish (optional): Lemon wedges Extra fresh herbs

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the cod fillets in a single layer
Step 2:
Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels Place them in the prepared dish
Step 3:
In a small bowl combine the melted butter minced garlic lemon juice and lemon zest Stir in half of the parsley dill and chives
Step 4:
Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over the cod fillets Sprinkle with salt pepper and smoked paprika
Step 5:
Bake for 15–18 minutes or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork
Step 6:
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the remaining herbs Serve with lemon wedges
Flaky cod fillets in fragrant garlic butter, garnished with fresh herbs.  Save
Flaky cod fillets in fragrant garlic butter, garnished with fresh herbs. | coraloven.com

Sharing this dish with my family always brings us together around the dinner table.

Notes

Serve with roasted vegetables steamed potatoes or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Required Tools

Baking dish Small mixing bowl Spoon or whisk Knife and cutting board Paper towels

Allergen Information

Contains fish (cod) and milk (butter) Ensure butter is gluten-free if needed Always check ingredient labels if you have allergies.

Succulent garlic butter baked cod topped with herbs and lemon wedges. Save
Succulent garlic butter baked cod topped with herbs and lemon wedges. | coraloven.com

This garlic butter baked cod is a quick and delicious meal that will impress your loved ones every time.

Recipe FAQs

What type of fish works best for this dish?

Skinless, boneless white fish fillets like cod, haddock, or pollock provide the best texture and flavor.

Can I add wine to enhance the flavor?

Yes, a splash of dry white wine added to the baking dish before cooking adds subtle depth to the flavors.

How do I know when the fish is fully cooked?

The cod is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Are the fresh herbs necessary?

Fresh parsley, dill, and chives enhance the dish’s brightness and complement the garlic butter sauce.

What sides pair well with this dish?

Roasted vegetables, steamed potatoes, or a fresh salad balance this light, flavorful main course.

Garlic Butter Baked Cod

Tender cod fillets baked with garlic butter and fresh herbs for a light, flavorful main dish.

Prep time
10 minutes
Time to cook
18 minutes
Time Required
28 minutes
Created by Hannah Lewis


Skill level Easy

Cuisine Mediterranean

Makes 4 Portions

Dietary details No gluten, Reduced Carb

What You Need

Fish

01 4 skinless, boneless cod fillets (5.3–6.3 oz each)

Garlic Butter

01 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
02 3 cloves garlic, minced
03 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 1 tsp lemon zest

Herbs

01 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
02 1 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
03 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped

Seasonings

01 ½ tsp sea salt
02 ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
03 ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)

Garnish

01 Lemon wedges
02 Extra fresh herbs

How To Make

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare dish: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish to fit fillets in a single layer.

Step 02

Dry cod fillets: Pat cod fillets dry using paper towels and arrange them in the baking dish.

Step 03

Make garlic butter sauce: In a small bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and half of the chopped parsley, dill, and chives.

Step 04

Apply sauce and season: Pour the garlic butter mixture evenly over cod fillets. Sprinkle with sea salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika if using.

Step 05

Bake cod fillets: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Step 06

Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining herbs over the fillets, and serve with lemon wedges.

Needed utensils

  • Baking dish
  • Small mixing bowl
  • Spoon or whisk
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Paper towels

Allergy details

Check components for allergens, and get advice from a medical expert if you're unsure.
  • Contains fish (cod) and dairy (butter).
  • Verify gluten-free status of butter if required.

Nutrition Details (each serving)

Details are for informational purposes, not medical use.
  • Kilocalories: 220
  • Fat content: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Proteins: 29 g