Oven-Roasted Cod with Parsley and Lemon Butter
Flaky cod fillets oven-roasted and topped with a bright parsley and lemon butter sauce, a light and fragrant British seafood dish. This british-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs fillets (6 oz each) cod fillets, tablespoons unsalted butter, chopped fresh parsley 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 fillets (6 oz each) cod fillets
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2, minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon, freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 cod fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil evenly over the fillets and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
- Step 2: Roast cod in the oven for 12-15 minutes until opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 3: While cod roasts, melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Remove butter from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.
- Step 5: Spoon the warm lemon parsley butter over the roasted cod fillets before serving for a fresh and buttery finish.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Oven-Roasted Cod with Parsley and Lemon Butter 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 Oven-Roasted Cod with Parsley and Lemon Butter?
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 tablespoons unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Oven-Roasted Cod with Parsley and Lemon Butter?
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 Oven-Roasted Cod with Parsley and Lemon Butter 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 Oven-Roasted Cod with Parsley and Lemon Butter?
British 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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