Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Herbed Quinoa

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender cod fillets baked with bright lemon and garlic, served atop fluffy quinoa seasoned with fresh herbs for a light, nutritious meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (gluten free) ready in about 30 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) cod fillets, freshly squeezed lemon juice, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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: 20 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 340 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp lemon juice, 4 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 cod fillets in a baking dish and pour the lemon-garlic mixture evenly over the fish. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the cod flakes easily with a fork.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, combine 1 cup rinsed quinoa and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and quinoa is fluffy.
  4. Step 4: Remove quinoa from heat and fluff with a fork. Stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill.
  5. Step 5: Serve baked cod fillets over the herbed quinoa, spooning any pan juices on top for extra flavor.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Herbed Quinoa take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Lemon-Garlic Cod with Herbed Quinoa?

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 freshly squeezed lemon juice from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Lemon-Garlic Cod with Herbed Quinoa?

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 Lemon-Garlic Cod with Herbed Quinoa 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 Lemon-Garlic Cod with Herbed Quinoa 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.

Related recipes