Description
Perfectly baked cod with lemon, olive oil, and a hint of cayenne pepper. This quick and easy recipe yields tender, flaky fish that’s moist and packed with fresh flavors. With just 5 minutes of prep time, it’s the ultimate weeknight dinner for seafood lovers or anyone craving a light, healthy dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. (500g) cod fillets or loins, rinsed and pat dry
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 dashes cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
- Arrange the cod fillets in a baking tray. Drizzle both sides with olive oil to coat evenly.
- Add lemon juice, sprinkle with salt, and finish with a few dashes of cayenne pepper.
- Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your cod. The fish should flake easily with a fork and appear opaque white when done.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately with your favorite side dishes.
Notes
- If using frozen cod, ensure it’s fully thawed and pat dry before baking.
- For added Mediterranean flavors, top with minced garlic, Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, or capers.
- To avoid dryness, coat the fillets generously in olive oil and let sit for 5 minutes before adding other seasonings.
- Use a glass baking tray for even cooking and heat retention.
- Rest the fish for a minute or two after baking to lock in moisture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Half of the recipe
- Calories: 286 kcal
- Sugar: 0.4 g
- Sodium: 415 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g (8 g monounsaturated, 2 g polyunsaturated)
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 41 g
- Cholesterol: 98mg
Keywords: baked cod, cod recipe, easy fish recipe, oven-baked cod