Is garlic bread something you love as much as I do?
Those of you who keep garlic bread on hand at all times? Then you are going to love the garlic butter baked cod .
My search for a more filling vehicle for that buttery garlic goodness (something I wouldn’t have to eat 16 pieces of in one sitting) ended with the discovery of some leftover cod fillets I had in my freezer that were clearly marked with the word “garlic butter.”
It sounds strange, but Apronese believes that you will fall in love with this dish from the first time. Don’t hesitate to try it now.
This garlic butter baked cod is filled with the zesty fresh garlic and sweet, creamy butter and is an excellent base for combining the zesty fresh garlic with the mild, slightly rich flavor of the cod filet.
As if this garlic butter baked cod wasn’t already perfect, it is also extremely fast and easy to make. A special weeknight dinner you will never forget.
Garlic Butter Baked Cod Ingredients
It is the same recipe as the garlic bread recipe that I used and duplicated the toppings (butter, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and salt).
I also added a pinch of paprika for color since baked cod tends to be pale when cooked. I also had a couple of lemons at the house, so I sliced one up and added it to the dish for a brighter, brighter flavor to balance out the rich butter.
It is the epitome of flavor perfection, and it is eating my taste buds just as I type this.
Fresh or Frozen Cod: Which Is Better?
The cod fillets can either be used fresh or frozen, depending on what you have available in your area.
If you decide to use frozen fillets, ensure that they are completely thawed before topping them with the butter mixture and baking.
How to Know When Cod is Done Baking
Depending on the thickness of your cod filet, you will need to bake it for a different amount of time, but the cod should always be baked until it reaches a temperature of 145oF internally.
In this case, the cod will be opaque and will flake easily with a fork. If the cod is baked too long beyond this point, it can become tough or rubbery.
As my filets were a little thicker, I baked them for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to reach that internal temperature.
The recipe card below has a link to a simple electronic instant-read meat thermometer which I use to determine when the fish is finished baking. If your filets are thinner, it may only take 15 minutes.
It is very useful for determining when the fish is done cooking. The one I use is listed at the bottom of this recipe card.
Is Fresh Parsley a Must?
This recipe does not require that you spend a lot of money on buying one bunch of parsley just for one tablespoon of chopped parsley.
If you do not already have some chopped parsley on hand, you can skip the fresh parsley or simply substitute one teaspoon of dried parsley in its place.
Does the Lemon Have to Be Used?
This recipe isn’t actually a recipe that requires lemon, but it doesn’t taste as good without it.
I recommend that you add a lemon to it if you can because the citrus flavor will take your dish to a whole new level! If you don’t have a lemon find one in your area, remember you can freeze whole lemons.
Garlic Butter Baked Cod: What to Serve with It
It should be noted that I wrote the recipe below for two servings due to the fact that I had just a little cod left right after testing, but you can easily make it into four by adjusting the number of servings in the box below.
It will automatically adjust the ingredients below to match the number of servings.
Garlic Butter Baked Cod
It’s easy to prepare this rich and zesty Garlic Butter Baked Cod meal. It’s a quick, flavorful dinner you can make in less than 30 minutes, using simple ingredients that you already have in your pantry.
Author: Beth
Servings: 2
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp butter (room temperature) ($0.26)
- 1 Tbsp olive oil ($0.16)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.16)
- 1/8 tsp paprika ($0.02)
- 1/8 tsp salt ($0.01)
- 1 Tbsp finely chopped parsley ($0.10)
- 8 oz. cod (two 4 oz. filets) ($2.48)
- 1 fresh lemon ($0.37)
Instructions
- A small bowl should be set aside with butter, olive oil, garlic, paprika, salt, and chopped parsley. In a small bowl, combine butter and olive oil with garlic, paprika, salt, and chopped parsley. Stir until it forms a fairly smooth paste.
- The only thing you need to do to keep the cod filets from sticking to the dish is to spread a small amount of the garlic butter over the surface of the baking dish to prevent them from sticking. Add the cod filets to the dish and then coat them with the other teaspoon of garlic butter.
- It is recommended that you cut half of a lemon into slices, and add them to the baking dish with the fish. Cut the remaining half of a lemon into wedges for serving.
- Serve the cod immediately with the remaining fresh lemon wedges for squeezing the juice over the top after baking the fish for 20 minutes, or until it completely flakes when tested with a fork and the internal temperature reaches 145 degrees F. Spoon any juices from the bottom of the pan over the fish.
Nutritional
Serving: 1 Serving ・ Calories: 267.6 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 3.9 g ・ Protein: 20.95 g ・ Fat: 18.6 g ・ Sodium: 301.85 mg ・ Fiber: 1 g
The nutritional values shown here are only estimates. Please see our nutrition disclaimer .
Equipment
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Cod Baked in Garlic Butter – How to Make It– Step by Step Photos
Combine a small bowl with 2 tablespoons of butter at room temperature, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1/8 teaspoon paprika, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and about 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Make a paste with the ingredients by mixing them together until they are smooth.
Make sure to smear the garlic butter all over the surface of the baking dish (so that the fish won’t stick to it).
The cod fillets should be placed in the dish, and then covered with the remaining garlic butter mixture, then placed in the oven and baked for 15 minutes.
Slice half of the lemon and place half of it in the baking dish. Serve the fish with lemon wedges, and the remaining lemon slices to serve on top.
In a 40-inch oval baking dish, bake the Garlic Butter Cod for about 20 minutes, or until it is flakes easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
Using any of the juices in the pan, brush the lemony flavor onto the fish (the juices will spread the lemony flavor).
The lemon slices should be served with some fresh lemon wedges squeezed over the top, and a couple of lemon slices baked in the oven.
There is no doubt that it is a coveted recipe that will become a family favorite for many years to come, and I am thrilled to share it with you today. It’s a great easy no-brainer side dish that you can serve with anything, from fish to steaks.
Complete a dish in 4 quick steps, Apronese believes you will enjoy this recipe. Grilled garlic butter, sounds delicious already, right? Please comment on your own recipes for everyone to know.
