Baked Cod with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter and Roasted Asparagus
Moist cod fillets baked under a zesty lemon-garlic herb butter, paired with tender roasted asparagus for a light, elegant meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, softened unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 6 tbsp, softened unsalted butter
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp, finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 lb, trimmed asparagus spears
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a bowl, combine 6 tbsp softened unsalted butter with 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp lemon zest, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves until well mixed.
- Step 2: Place 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) in a baking dish, pat dry, and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread the lemon-garlic herb butter evenly over the top of each fillet.
- Step 3: Toss 1 lb trimmed asparagus spears with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Arrange the asparagus around the cod in the baking dish.
- Step 4: Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cod flakes easily with a fork and the asparagus is tender-crisp. Serve immediately, spooning any melted herb butter from the pan over the fish and vegetables.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Lemon-Garlic Herb Butter and Roasted Asparagus 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-Garlic Herb Butter and Roasted Asparagus?
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-Garlic Herb Butter and Roasted Asparagus?
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-Garlic Herb Butter and Roasted Asparagus 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-Garlic Herb Butter and Roasted Asparagus 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.
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