This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This easy Baked Cod recipe is made with a simple lemon garlic marinade and is ready in just under 30 minutes. It comes out so soft and flaky and makes for a perfectly delicious healthy weeknight dinner.
Cod is one of my favorite fishes to cook for my family. It never comes out too fishy and is super easy to put together too. Always so juicy and flaky every time. They are Sauteed with a simple lemon garlic marinade and then baked in the oven with some cherry tomatoes. This easy-baked Garlic Cod recipe is gluten-free and makes for a great weeknight dinner when you want to make a nutritious quick meal for the family.
Serve this baked cod recipe with some plain white rice or some Garlic roasted potatoes. More serving suggestions are further down below.
Why you will love this
- Healthy: This baked cod is made with simple pantry staple ingredients. Low in carbs and fat, a low-calorie meal with only 268 calories per serving, and it is packed with protein and nutrients.
- Quick and simple: With only 15 minutes of cooking time required, this lemon-baked cod will be ready in less than an hour. No crazy list of ingredients is required either.
- Tasty: The Citrus and garlic flavor of this baked cod will awaken your taste buds. It’s so tasty!
- Great for meal prepping: A dish that works great for those who meal prep. Easy to store and reheat, and holds well for 3 days.
Ingredients this Baked Cod Recipe
- Cod fillet pieces: You may use frozen Cod fillets. Don’t like cod? Use any other type of white fish.
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste, or kosher salt.
- Italian seasoning: or use a mix of Oregano, basil, and thyme.
- All-purpose flour: or gluten-free flour
- Olive oil: Avocado oil or butter will work
- Lemons, juiced: use fresh lemon juice
- Garlic cloves, pressed or minced: Use fresh garlic if you have, if not then use garlic powder.
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Finely chopped fresh cilantro: fresh cilantro will bring out the taste of these baked cod. You may use fresh parsley
- Optional: to garnish, you may use red pepper flakes
How to make bake cod
Preheat the oven to 400F.
Season the cod filets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then dredge into the flour to evenly coat.
Preheat 1 tablespoon of oil in an oven-safe skillet and sear half of the cod pieces until golden on both sides, then set aside. Repeat with the remaining oil and cod.
Add the fresh lemon juice to the dripping from the pan, and stir while still on the heat. Add the minced garlic, and tomatoes, and return the cod to the skillet.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until flaky. Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- You may use fresh or frozen Cod fillets. Allow the cod to thaw overnight in the fridge the night before. Pat dry with a paper towel.
- Use any tomatoes of your choice. Feel free to add more veggies like mushrooms or zucchini.
- Do not overbake or the Baked cod will be a bit chewy and dry.
- Do use fresh lemons and not bottled lemon juice if possible, unless it is saving you a trip to the store
- You may replace one of the lemons with some white wine, or some sauvignon blanc.
- Want to skip sauteeing the cod fillets on the pan first? You can. Place all the ingredients on a baking dish and bale at 400F for 25 minutes or so.
What to serve with baked cod
- Keep it low carb and Serve with Cauliflower Rice or Cauliflower Mash
- Cilantro Lime Rice
- Over Salads like this Mediterranean Chopped Salad
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Cauliflower Bake
- Creamy Lemon Pasta
- Crispy Garlic Baked Potato Wedges
- Baked Sweet Potato Wedges
Storage and Reheating
- Storing: Store leftover baked cod in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You may also freeze for 2 months.
- Reheating: It is best to reheat leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until it is heated through.
Frequently asked questions
Without searing the fish first, Baked Cod will need 20-22 minutes of total bake time in the oven at 400F. You may also bake cod at 350F for 25-30 minutes. The best way to check if the Cod is cooked through is to use a food thermometer and check its internal temperature. The USDA recommends an internal temperature of 145F for fish.
You can technically bake frozen cod. It will release quite a bit of water and will take an additional 10-15 minutes of cooking time. We recommend that you thaw the frozen cod overnight if you can instead to ensure even cook especially if you plan on using your stovetop instead.
There are no set rules on what seasonings you can use for baked cod. You may use any you have on hand and get creative or use your favorite spice blend. From Italian seasonings to smoked paprika or fajita spice blend, they will all taste great. We love to keep it simple with some lemon pepper, fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice, and some chopped parsley or cilantro.
If your baked cod is rubber then you have most likely overcooked the cod. Any fish that is overcooked especially cod, will lose most of its moisture and result in a dry and rubber texture.
More Fish Recipe
- Fish Taco Salad Bowls
- Salmon Piccata Recipe
- Maple Pecan Salmon
- Oven-baked Tilapia Recipe
- Spicy Salmon Maki Bowl
- Air Fryer Fish and Chips
- Salmon Tacos with Corn Salsa
Recipes you may also Like
- Albondigas Soup
- Chicken Fajitas Pasta
- Shrimp Rasta Pasta
- Beef Burrito Meal Prep Bowl
- Mason Jar Salad
- Tandoori Chicken Recipe
If you try a recipe and you like it, leave us some feedback in the comment section below, and don’t forget to rate it! We would love it if you shared it with friends and family.
Finally, please use our hashtag #healthyfitnessmeals on INSTAGRAM for a chance to be featured! FOLLOW Healthy Fitness Meals on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | TWITTER for all of our latest blog posts and recipes.
Lemon Garlic Baked Cod Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb cod filet pieces
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/3 cup Gluten-free flour, or any flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 3-4 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Season the cod filets with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then dredge into the flour to evenly coat.
- Preheat 1 tablespoon of oil in an oven-safe skillet and sear half of the codpieces until golden on both sides, then set aside. 1-2 minutes on each side
- Repeat with the remaining oil and cod. Add the fresh lemon juice to the dripping from the pan, and stir while still on the heat.
- Add the garlic, and tomatoes, and return the cod to the skillet. Bake for 10 minutes, or until flaky.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and enjoy.
Notes
- Storing: Store leftover baked cod in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You may also freeze for 2 months.
- Reheating: It is best to reheat leftovers in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or until it is heated through
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
