Best Easy Baked Cod Recipe

If you’ve never cooked cod before, newsflash: It’s practically foolproof. Not only does cod cook quickly, but it can also take on a variety of flavors and seasonings, making it one of my favorites to mix and match depending on my mood (or what’s in the fridge). Here, I opted for a sauce made of staples I always have on hand (tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, and lemon). Whether it’s for a fancy dinner party or to switch up your weeknight dinner rotation, you’ll find you’re only ever 30 minutes away from having cod on your table.

What People Are Saying: “I had just about given up on cod, and then I found this recipe. I've made it 3 times now. My husband and I love it. It's really really good!” - lis4256

“This is so simple, delicious, and versatile. I've made it now several times with different fish, herbs, no cherry tomatoes, fine, just cut up regular ones...have made with sliced oranges..yum!!!! It is the perfect recipe. Our quick go-to dinner now. :)” - kzmama

How To Make Baked Cod

INGREDIENTS

• Cod Fillets: The beauty of cod is that both fresh and frozen fillets will work in this recipe. When possible, opt for the highest quality cod you can find. Have another fish in mind? This recipe will also work with other mild types of white fish, such as halibut and tilapia.
• Olive Oil: I love the subtle peppery spice that olive oil brings to any protein, especially for fish that’s as mild and sweet as cod.
• Tomatoes, Lemon & Garlic: Name a better, more summery trio than tomatoes, lemon, and garlic—I’ll wait. Especially when baked with cod, the tomatoes will become jammy and sweet, the garlic will be perfectly caramelized, and the lemons help ensure the cod stays moist. By all means, feel free to get creative with what you have on hand; switch out the tomatoes for asparagus, add a splash of white wine, or sliced shallot.
• Parsley & Thyme: Fresh herbs like parsley and thyme are more than just a pretty garnish—I love how they play off the sweetness of the cod, but any number of fresh herbs would be great here, like chives, oregano, or basil.
• Red Pepper Flakes: For an added bit of heat, a few red pepper flakes go a long way.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 400° and pat the cod fillets with a paper towel until dry. This will help to keep it from getting waterlogged and breaking apart when baked. While it's tempting, do yourself a big favor and don't skip this step! Once dry, season the fillets all over with salt and pepper.

Then, combine the olive oil, cherry tomatoes, lemon slices, garlic, thyme, and red pepper flakes in a 13" x 9" baking dish.

Toss the mixture to coat and spread into an even layer, then nestle the cod pieces into a baking dish. Pro tip: If you’re worried about your fish sticking to the bottom of the dish, layer your cod fillets on top of the lemon slices.

Now, it’s time for a quick bake. Whether you start with fresh or frozen cod, it should always be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°. The best way to check is with a thermometer, but you can also look for if your fish is completely opaque and flakes easily with a fork, which should take between 25 and 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish.

Remove the cod from the oven and serve it garnished with parsley, more lemon juice, and pan sauce.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

What To Serve With Baked Cod

Baked cod is so versatile. In addition to serving it on its own, you can also break out some corn tortillas and cabbage slaw for delicious fish tacos (this is especially good for any leftovers). Want the best of both worlds? Add this to our fish taco bowls! If you're just looking for side ideas, here are some of my favorites:

• Orzo Al Limone: Lemony orzo is the perfect filling and easy side dish to complete this fresh and bright meal.
• Roasted Potatoes: Potatoes are always a reliable side, and these simple roasted potatoes work super well here.
• Lemon-Herb Rice Pilaf: Rice pairs perfectly with the simple lemon-olive oil sauce, especially this lemon-herb rice.

Storage

Cooked cod can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days or in the freezer for 1 month, but keep in mind that the texture will change a bit with freezer storage. I recommend reheating it in an oven at a low temperature.