Lemon-Thyme Baked Cod with Garlic Green Beans
Flaky cod fillets baked with fresh lemon and thyme alongside garlicky sautéed green beans for a light and refreshing seafood dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs (6 oz) pieces 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.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz) pieces cod fillets
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 12 oz fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 cloves minced garlic
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 cod fillets in a baking dish and drizzle with 2 tbsp lemon juice and 2 tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves evenly over the fillets.
- Step 2: Bake the cod for 12-15 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 3: While the cod bakes, heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 12 oz trimmed green beans, sautéing for 6-8 minutes until the beans are tender-crisp and the garlic is fragrant but not browned.
- Step 4: Season the green beans with a pinch of salt and black pepper to taste and serve immediately alongside the baked cod.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Lemon-Thyme Baked 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 Lemon-Thyme Baked Cod with Garlic Green Beans?
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) pieces cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Lemon-Thyme Baked 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 Lemon-Thyme Baked 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 Lemon-Thyme Baked 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.
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