Baked Lemon-Herb Cod with Garlic Green Beans

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate cod fillets baked with bright lemon and fresh herbs, served alongside tender green beans sautéed with garlic for a light and healthy meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs cod fillets, lemon zest, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place 4 cod fillets in a lightly greased baking dish. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the cod fillets.
  2. Step 2: Bake the cod for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is opaque.
  3. Step 3: While the cod bakes, heat 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 lb trimmed green beans, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6-8 minutes until the green beans are tender but still crisp.
  4. Step 4: Remove the cod and green beans from heat. Plate the fish with the garlic green beans alongside and drizzle any leftover lemon-herb sauce from the baking dish over the fish before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Lemon-Herb Cod with Garlic Green Beans 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 Lemon-Herb Cod with Garlic Green Beans?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Lemon-Herb Cod with Garlic Green Beans?

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-Herb Cod with Garlic Green Beans 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.

What goes well with Baked Lemon-Herb Cod with Garlic Green Beans?

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

Related recipes