Baked Cod with Lemon, Garlic, and Spices Recipe
This Baked Cod Recipe with Lemon and Garlic features tender cod fillets coated in a flavorful blend of spices and flour, seared to perfection, then baked with a vibrant lemon-garlic sauce. The dish delivers a delicious balance of citrusy brightness and savory warmth, garnished with fresh parsley for a refreshing finish — perfect for a healthy and elegant weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Fish and Coating
- 1.5 lb Cod fillet pieces (4–6 pieces)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 3/4 tsp sweet Spanish paprika
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Lemon Garlic Sauce
- 5 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400 degrees F to get it ready for baking the cod.
- Prepare Lemon Sauce Base: In a shallow bowl, combine the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and melted butter. Do not add the garlic yet; cover and set the sauce aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another shallow bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground coriander, sweet Spanish paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Keep this bowl near the lemon sauce mixture.
- Coat the Fish: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Dip each piece into the lemon sauce, then dredge well in the flour and spice mixture, shaking off any excess flour. Keep the remaining lemon sauce reserved for later use.
- Sear the Cod: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a cast iron skillet or any oven-safe pan over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers but does not smoke, add the coated fish pieces. Sear each side for about 2 minutes to develop color but do not cook through. Remove the pan from heat once seared.
- Add Garlic Sauce: Stir the minced garlic into the reserved lemon sauce and drizzle this mixture evenly over the seared cod fillets in the skillet.
- Bake the Fish: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the cod for about 10 minutes, starting to check for doneness earlier. The fish is ready when it flakes easily with a fork.
- Garnish and Serve: Once out of the oven, sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the fish to add a fresh, herbal note. Serve the baked cod immediately while warm.
Notes
- Patting the fish dry before coating ensures a crispier sear.
- Using a cast iron skillet or oven-safe pan allows seamless transition from stovetop searing to oven baking.
- Adjust baking time depending on the thickness of the cod fillets to avoid overcooking.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend.
- Fresh lemon juice is recommended over bottled for optimum brightness and flavor.
Keywords: baked cod, lemon and garlic fish, seared cod recipe, healthy seafood recipe, easy baked fish, cod fillets with lemon
