Baked Cod with Lemon-Caper Butter and Wilted Spinach

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Mild cod fillets baked under a bright lemon-caper butter sauce, served atop tender wilted spinach for an elegant yet simple seafood dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs 6 oz each cod fillets, unsalted butter, lemon zest 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 4 tbsp unsalted butter. Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp drained capers, and 1 minced garlic clove. Keep warm.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 cod fillets in a baking dish and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Spoon the lemon-caper butter evenly over the fillets.
  3. Step 3: Bake cod for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: While the cod bakes, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 6 cups fresh spinach and sauté for 2-3 minutes until just wilted. Season with a pinch of salt.
  5. Step 5: Serve each cod fillet on a bed of wilted spinach and spoon extra lemon-caper butter from the baking dish over the top. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Cod with Lemon-Caper Butter and Wilted Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Lemon-Caper Butter and Wilted Spinach?

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 Lemon-Caper Butter and Wilted Spinach?

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 Lemon-Caper Butter and Wilted Spinach 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 Lemon-Caper Butter and Wilted Spinach low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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