This Oven-Baked Lemon Garlic Butter White Fish is a delicious, easy seafood dinner featuring tender, flaky cod fillets baked in a rich garlic butter sauce with fresh lemon and aromatic herbs. With golden, lightly caramelized tops and a bright, buttery flavor, this simple recipe transforms everyday ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal.
Perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or special occasions, this baked cod recipe requires minimal preparation and cooks in just 12–15 minutes. Serve it with rice, roasted potatoes, steamed vegetables, or crusty bread to enjoy every drop of the flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
12–17 minutes
Total Time
About 25–30 minutes
Servings
6
Why You’ll Love This Lemon Garlic Butter Fish
This recipe is a wonderful choice for anyone who enjoys fresh, flavorful seafood without complicated preparation.
Cod has a mild flavor and delicate texture that pairs beautifully with melted butter, garlic, and lemon. As the fish bakes, it absorbs the savory garlic butter while remaining moist and tender.
A quick finish under the broiler adds a lightly golden appearance, making the dish even more appetizing.
You’ll also love that everything cooks on one baking tray, keeping cleanup simple.
Ingredients
For the White Fish
6 cod fillets, approximately 2 pounds total, patted dry
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon paprika
For the Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Juice of ½ lemon
4 garlic cloves, minced
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons olive oil
For Garnishing
Fresh dill sprigs
Additional lemon wedges, optional
How to Make Oven-Baked Lemon Garlic Butter White Fish
1. Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking tray with parchment paper rated for the oven temperature.
2. Prepare the cod fillets. Pat the cod dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the seasoning adhere and encourages a better texture during baking.
3. Arrange the fish. Place the cod fillets on the prepared baking tray in a single layer, leaving a little space between each piece.
4. Season the cod. Sprinkle the fillets evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
5. Add fresh lemon. Arrange thin lemon slices over each fillet, distributing them evenly.
6. Add the garlic. Scatter the freshly minced garlic over and around the fish.
7. Prepare the garlic butter sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, olive oil, and fresh lemon juice until combined.
8. Coat the fish. Pour the lemon garlic butter mixture evenly over the cod fillets, allowing some to collect around the fish.
9. Bake the cod. Transfer the tray to the preheated oven and bake for 12–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets. The fish should turn opaque and flake easily with a fork.
10. Broil for extra color. For a lightly golden finish, briefly place the fish under the broiler for 1–2 minutes, watching closely. Use a broiler-safe tray and remove the parchment first if it is not broiler-safe.
11. Add fresh herbs. Remove the fish from the oven and garnish with fresh dill sprigs.
12. Serve immediately. Spoon the warm lemon garlic butter pan juices over the cod and serve with your favorite side dishes.
Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Cod
Choose evenly sized fillets. Cod fillets of similar thickness will cook more evenly, reducing the risk of some pieces becoming dry while others are still cooking.
Pat the fish dry. Removing excess surface moisture helps the seasonings stick and prevents unnecessary liquid from collecting on the tray.
Use fresh lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice provides a bright citrus flavor that complements the richness of the butter.
Avoid overcooking. Cod is delicate and can become dry when cooked too long. For food safety, the fish should reach an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C).
Watch the broiler carefully. The butter and garlic can brown quickly under high heat. Keep a close eye on the fish during the final minutes.
How to Make the Best Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce
The key to this recipe is balancing the richness of butter and olive oil with the freshness of lemon and garlic.
Melted butter creates a rich base, while olive oil adds smoothness. Fresh garlic provides savory depth, and lemon juice brightens the entire dish.
As the cod bakes, its natural juices combine with the butter mixture to create a delicious sauce.
For maximum flavor, spoon the warm pan juices over the fish immediately before serving.
What to Serve with Lemon Garlic Butter White Fish
This versatile seafood dish pairs beautifully with a variety of sides.
Steamed jasmine rice
Garlic butter pasta
Creamy mashed potatoes
Roasted baby potatoes
Steamed asparagus
Roasted broccoli
Sautéed green beans
Fresh Mediterranean salad
Warm crusty bread
For a simple family dinner, serve the baked cod with roasted potatoes and green vegetables.
Rice and crusty bread are especially good for soaking up the flavorful lemon garlic butter sauce.
Can I Use Another Type of White Fish?
Absolutely. Although cod works beautifully in this recipe, you can substitute other mild white fish such as haddock, pollock, halibut, or sea bass.
Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness and type of fish.
Thinner fillets may cook faster, while thicker portions may require a few additional minutes.
Can I Use Frozen Cod?
Yes. Frozen cod works well, but it should be completely thawed before baking.
For best results, thaw the fish overnight in the refrigerator.
Once thawed, pat the fillets dry thoroughly before adding the seasonings and garlic butter sauce.
This helps prevent excess water from diluting the flavorful pan juices.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the lemon garlic butter mixture in advance and refrigerate it until needed.
The cod can also be portioned and the dry seasonings measured ahead of time.
For the best texture, assemble and bake the fish shortly before serving.
Avoid leaving the raw fish coated in lemon juice for an extended period because the acidity can begin changing its texture.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow the cooked fish to cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 2–3 days.
To reheat, place the cod in a covered baking dish with a little of the reserved garlic butter sauce and warm gently until heated through.
Avoid overheating, as reheated cod can become dry and lose its delicate texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does cod take to bake at 400°F?
Cod fillets typically take approximately 12–15 minutes at 400°F (200°C), depending on thickness. Always check for doneness rather than relying only on time.
How do I know when cod is fully cooked?
The flesh should turn opaque and separate easily into flakes when tested with a fork. The recommended safe internal temperature is 145°F (63°C).
Should I cover cod while baking?
No. This recipe is baked uncovered to allow the surface to develop a lightly golden finish.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes. If using salted butter, reduce the additional salt to prevent the dish from becoming too salty.
Can I make this recipe without paprika?
Absolutely. Paprika adds mild flavor and color, but the recipe will still taste delicious without it.
Can I add vegetables to the baking tray?
Yes. Quick-cooking vegetables such as asparagus, zucchini, or cherry tomatoes can be arranged around the fish. Harder vegetables like potatoes should be partially cooked before adding the cod.
Final Thoughts
Oven-Baked Lemon Garlic Butter White Fish is a simple, flavorful seafood recipe that combines tender cod with fresh lemon, garlic, melted butter, olive oil, and aromatic dill.
With minimal preparation, easy cleanup, and a cooking time of around 15 minutes, this dish is perfect for anyone looking for a quick and satisfying homemade dinner.
Serve it with your favorite vegetables, rice, or roasted potatoes for a delicious meal the whole family can enjoy.