Baked Cod with Lemon is a simple, healthy meal using olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and capers to create a sweet and salty sauce for fresh cod. This is a great way to incorporate the Mediterranean diet into your meals! 

BAKED COD WITH LEMON

My family tends to eat seafood at least once a week and I know a lot of you do too.

Today’s Baked Cod with Lemon is one of my favorite fish recipes to make cod using simple ingredients and a great for busy weeknights.

The oven-baked cod creates flaky cod and pairs so nicely with the sweet lemon sauce.

This recipe can actually be used on any mild white fish.

You guys have gone crazy for this Air Fryer Cod and this Pan Seared Garlic Butter Cod. 

My favorite part of this cod fish recipe is the sweet lemon mixed with the earthy olive oil and the salty capers.

If you love chicken piccata, this recipe is for you!  As someone who eats a lot of Mediterranean food, seafood is something I try to incorporate more and more into my families diet.

We often eat this Baked Cod with Lemon, Black Sea Bass Recipe and this Mediterranean Salmon recipe on repeat. 

If you know anything about the Mediterranean diet you know that seafood is a big part of that way of eating. I have talked to many people that struggle to make seafood dishes that their whole family will eat, but today’s easy baked cod recipe is one I think will change that. 

What Ingredients Are in Baked Cod?

• Cod: Cod is a fish I really enjoy for many reasons. It is light, healthy and easy to prepare. I find it to not give off a fishy smell when I cook it which is a plus.
• Lemon Sauce: The lemon sauce is my favorite part of this dish. It uses olive oil, butter, fresh garlic and fresh lemon juice. It is rich, flavorful and the perfect sauce for flaky, buttery cod. 
• Capers: I don’t know about you, but I have a serious love for capers. I am a salty food girl- pickles, olives, banana peppers, you name it. I love the salty, earthy flavor that those tiny capers give to a dish. 
• Fresh Parsley: I am currently growing Italian parsley in my garden and I love it. It pairs perfectly as a finishing touch on this cod recipe. Fresh herbs are always a great way to finish of your dishes! 
• Spices: Today’s Baked Cod with Lemon and Capers uses sweet paprika, oregano and basil. The combination is wonderful with the sauce. 

How to Cook Baked Cod in the Oven?

This recipe couldn’t be easier. I start by using a cast iron skillet on the stove to quickly sear the front and back of the cod for about 2 minutes on each side.

I then transfer that skillet into a preheated oven to 400 degrees F. Cod cooks quickly and is usually done in about 9-10 minutes. 

How Do I Know if Baked Cod is Done?

When cod is done the fish will turn opaque and will flake easily with a fork. The safe internal temperature for cooked fish is 145°F.

How Do I Reheat Cod?

I like to eat my fish fresh when I cook it but sometimes that isn’t an option or you have leftovers.

When it comes to reheating fish you want to make sure you do it the right way so you don’t dry it out.

Cook’s Illustrated has a nice tutorial on how to reheat fish that I use and have included below. 

Place the fillets on a wire rack set in a rimmed baking sheet, cover them with foil (to prevent the exteriors of the fish from drying out), and heat them in a 275-degree oven until they register 125 to 130 degrees, about 15 minutes for 1-inch-thick fillets (timing varies according to fillet size). 

Ways to Modify This Cod Recipe:

• This recipe uses butter and I know some people try to avoid that. You can substitute the butter with additional olive oil or ghee in its place. The butter just helps give the sauce a rich flavor. 
• There are some great additions you could add to this dish. Some that I enjoy are artichoke hearts, olives, cherry tomatoes, roasted red peppers and sun-dried tomatoes
• Beans would be a nice addition as well. I like chickpeas or white beans. 
• Serve this cod loin over pasta, like an angel hair or linguine. You could also serve it over zoodles or even rice. I like to add extra lemon zest when I serve the fish.
• Try adding a small amount of white wine to the sauce. It adds sweetness and is so nice.
• Before placing the cod in the oven you could sprinkle parmesan cheese or mozzarella cheese over the cod. Cheese makes everything better, right?
• You could sprinkle some bread crumbs or panko breadcrumbs to the fish before baking to add more a crust to the fish.
• If you like some heat add cayenne red pepper, crushed red pepper or even chopped jalapeños.
• If you are wondering how to season cod I find my favorite way is to keep it simple. Some of the best seasoning for cod includes Italian seasoning, paprika or even za’atar. You also could use this Shawarma Seasoning or Taco Seasoning for a zesty cod.

Other Seafood Recipes You Might Like:

Baked Cod With Lemon

Greek Baked Tilapia

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole

Pan Fried Garlic Butter Cod

Air Fryer Cod

Air Fryer Crab Rangoon

Black Sea Bass