Description
This Baked Cod Recipe with Lemon and Garlic combines tender cod fillets with a zesty lemon and garlic sauce, perfectly seasoned with aromatic spices and seared for a flavorful crust before finishing in the oven. Ready in just 22 minutes, it's a quick and delicious seafood dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Fish and Coating
- 1.5 lb Cod fillet pieces (4-6 pieces)
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 3/4 tsp sweet Spanish paprika
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Lemon Garlic Sauce
- 5 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (plus 2 tbsp for searing)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
Garnish
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F to prepare for baking the fish after searing.
- Prepare lemon sauce base: In a shallow bowl, mix together the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and melted butter. Do not add garlic yet. Set this aside for coating the fish.
- Mix the dry coating: In another shallow bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with ground coriander, sweet Spanish paprika, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. This will create the flavorful flour coating for the fish.
- Coat the fish: Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Dip each fillet first into the lemon sauce mixture, then into the flour-spice mixture, shaking off any excess flour. Reserve the lemon sauce for later use.
- Sear the fish: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a cast iron skillet or an oven-safe pan over medium-high heat until shimmering but not smoking. Add the coated fish fillets and sear each side for about 2 minutes to develop a golden crust without fully cooking. Remove the skillet from the heat afterward.
- Add garlic to sauce and drizzle: Stir the minced garlic into the reserved lemon sauce. Pour this garlicky lemon mixture evenly over the fish fillets in the skillet.
- Bake the fish: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Start checking a few minutes early to avoid overcooking.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the baked cod from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh cod fillets and pat them dry before coating to ensure the flour mixture adheres well.
- If you do not have a cast iron skillet, use any oven-safe pan to sear and bake the fish.
- Monitor the fish closely while baking as cooking times may vary depending on fillet thickness.
- The searing step enhances flavor and texture but be careful not to overcook the fish at this stage since it finishes baking in the oven.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables, rice, or a light salad for a balanced meal.
