Fresh and perfectly light for spring, but definitely not lacking in savory flavor! This simple baked cod is based on something I remember making ages ago. I have no idea where that recipe went, but it was a baked fish in parchment paper (en papillote). It was always a hit but took a bit of time to put together. So this recipe is inspired by a memory of that recipe but simplified to make it easy and accessible for weeknight dinners. No fiddling around with parchment paper packages here! Just a yummy herbed garlic butter that melts into the fish as it bakes, infusing it with flavor and keeping it perfectly moist. There’s also a version listed below made with olive oil if you’re dairy-free. I’ve made it both ways and you can’t go wrong! You can also make this with different types of fish as well so the sky’s the limit with this one. It’s such a tasty and fast way to cook fish, I know you’ll love it.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Cod – is easily available and affordable too. But you can use any white-fleshed fish you’d like if you adjust the baking time accordingly. You’ll know the fish is done when it flakes apart with a fork. There’s no way to estimate the baking time because it would vary so much between something like tilapia vs. halibut which tends to be quite a bit thicker. Salmon is also a good choice with this herbed butter mixture. Butter – ghee, or olive oil can all be used here. I do think the butter mixed with the olive oil below is the best in terms of flavor. But I have made this recipe without using butter and it’s a touch lighter. But there’s more than enough flavor to go around. Olive oil – you want to use the best quality you can here because it adds a lot of flavor to this dish, especially if you’re making the dairy-free version. Garlic – a little bit of freshly minced garlic adds the perfect amount of savory flavor without being overwhelming when combined with the herbs below. Thyme – is my favorite here because it goes so well with fish. Rosemary and sage could work as well, but they tend to take over with their powerful flavors. Parsley – combines well with the thyme, and adds a touch of freshness to the final dish. It also looks incredible with its bright green color. Lemon zest – also adds a depth of flavor and a bright note of lemon without too much sourness. Sliced lemon – is placed right on the fish as it bakes which takes the edge off the sourness of the lemon. Any extras can be served alongside the finished fish to squeeze over the top.
Make this recipe step by step
Step 1: Start by prepping all of your ingredients and preheating the oven. Then mince up the herbs and garlic, and add them to a small bowl. Step 2: Mash the herbs, butter, garlic, and olive oil together until completely combined. If you’re dairy-free, mix the garlic and herbs together with olive oil as listed in the recipe, or use dairy-free butter. Step 3: Spread the herb butter paste evenly over the fish fillets, and top with 4 slices of lemon. Step 4: Bake until the fish is just done in the center and flakes apart easily on the edges. I really hope you enjoy this simple and brightly flavored dinner. And if you do get a chance to make it, I hope you’ll leave me a comment/rating below. I always love hearing from you here! This recipe was originally published in 2021 but has been updated in 2023 with new tips, more information, and nutritional facts.
