Citrus-Crusted Fish with Summer Vegetables
Flaky white fish coated in lemon and orange zest, served atop a bed of roasted seasonal vegetables for a bright beach-inspired meal. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, orange zest, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 tbsp orange zest
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups zucchini
- 2 cups yellow squash
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 tsp dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat 4 cod fillets (6 oz each) dry with paper towels. Mix 1 tbsp orange zest, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp olive oil in a bowl. Rub mixture evenly over fish fillets, pressing gently to adhere.
- Step 2: Toss 2 cups zucchini (sliced 1/2-inch thick), 2 cups yellow squash (sliced 1/2-inch thick), and 1 cup cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with 1 tsp dill, and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes until vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Step 3: Place fish fillets on top of the roasted vegetables. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Citrus-Crusted Fish with Summer Vegetables take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 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 Citrus-Crusted Fish with Summer 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 (6 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Citrus-Crusted Fish with Summer 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 Citrus-Crusted Fish with Summer 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.
What goes well with Citrus-Crusted Fish with Summer Vegetables?
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
- ★★★★★
Substituted chicken for tofu and it worked beautifully.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★☆☆☆☆
Followed exactly and it was underwhelming. Maybe my expectations were too high.
