Baked Cod with Lemon Butter (Print Version)
Pan-seared cod fillets finished with lemon butter sauce and capers for an elegant yet simple Mediterranean-inspired main dish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5.3 oz each), skinless and boneless
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Lemon Butter Sauce
04 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
08 - 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon slices
11 - Additional fresh parsley
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the cod fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper. Arrange fillets in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and capers. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat.
04 - Spoon the lemon butter sauce evenly over the cod fillets, ensuring even coverage.
05 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
06 - Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The sauce creates this perfect puddle of flavor that somehow makes its way into every bite without overwhelming the delicate fish.
- Its my go to dinner party dish because it looks and tastes impressive while secretly taking just minutes of actual hands on work.
02 -
- The fish continues cooking for a minute or two after removing from the oven, so take it out when its just shy of done to prevent it from becoming dry and rubbery.
- Letting the cod sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before baking ensures it cooks more evenly than going straight from refrigerator to oven.
03 -
- For an extra layer of flavor, add a splash of white wine to the butter sauce and let it reduce for a minute before adding the lemon.
- Line your baking dish with parchment paper that extends up the sides for incredibly easy cleanup and to prevent any chance of the delicate fish sticking.