Lemon Herb Baked Cod
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Juice of 1 large lemon
- Zest of half a lemon
- Fresh parsley for serving
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- Remove cod fillets from the fridge 10 minutes before cooking. Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Pat fillets completely dry with paper towels on both sides.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, oregano, thyme, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Place fillets in a lightly oiled baking dish with space between each piece.
- Spoon herb mixture evenly over each fillet and press gently to coat.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque throughout.
- Remove from oven, scatter fresh parsley over the top, and serve immediately with lemon wedges.
Notes
Always pat cod fillets completely dry before seasoning — this is the single most important step for good texture. Wet fish steams in the oven instead of baking and you lose that slightly golden, flaky finish that makes the dish worth eating.