Baked Cod with Fresh Herbs and Lemon
Delicate cod fillets baked with a bright lemon-herb crust, finished with a zesty squeeze of citrus. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 22 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, olive oil, thinly sliced lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1, thinly sliced lemon
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Brush 2 tbsp olive oil over a baking sheet, then arrange 2 cod fillets (6 oz each) on the sheet.
- Step 2: Top fillets with 1 sliced lemon, 2 tbsp chopped dill, 1 tbsp chopped parsley, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Press herbs gently into the fish.
- Step 3: Bake for 12 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, then serve immediately with extra lemon wedges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Fresh Herbs and Lemon take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Baked Cod with Fresh Herbs and Lemon?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (6 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Fresh Herbs and Lemon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Cod with Fresh Herbs and Lemon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Cod with Fresh Herbs and Lemon?
Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.