Baked Cod with Herb-Infused Lemon Butter and Roasted Vegetables
Flaky cod fillets baked in a fragrant lemon butter sauce with fresh herbs, paired with a medley of oven-roasted vegetables for a light, flavorful meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (gluten-free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs (5 oz each) cod fillets, unsalted butter, fresh lemon juice for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 pieces (5 oz each) cod fillets
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds zucchini
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Toss 2 medium sliced zucchini and 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
- Step 2: While vegetables roast, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook gently for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Stir 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley into the melted butter mixture. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: Place 4 cod fillets (5 oz each) in a greased baking dish. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Pour the lemon herb butter evenly over the fillets.
- Step 5: Bake the cod in the 400°F oven for 12-15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 6: Serve the baked cod topped with pan juices alongside the roasted zucchini and cherry tomatoes.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Herb-Infused Lemon Butter and Roasted Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 Herb-Infused Lemon Butter and Roasted Vegetables?
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 (5 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Herb-Infused Lemon Butter and Roasted Vegetables?
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 Herb-Infused Lemon Butter and Roasted Vegetables for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
Is Baked Cod with Herb-Infused Lemon Butter and Roasted Vegetables gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
