Zesty Lemon-Dill Cod with Asparagus
Perfectly baked cod fillets with a bright lemon-dill glaze, served atop tender asparagus spears for a light, elegant dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 29 minutes pairs (6 oz each) cod fillets, (zested and juiced) lemon, (chopped) dill, fresh for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 310 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 (zested and juiced) lemon
- 1 tbsp (chopped) dill, fresh
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (trimmed) asparagus
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 4 cod fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. In a small bowl, whisk 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 lemon (zested and juiced), 1 tbsp fresh dill (chopped), 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Brush mixture evenly over cod fillets.
- Step 2: Arrange 1 lb trimmed asparagus around cod on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp lemon zest. Bake for 12-15 minutes until cod flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender-crisp.
- Step 3: Transfer to plates immediately; serve with any pan juices drizzled over the top. Garnish with extra lemon zest if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Zesty Lemon-Dill Cod with Asparagus take to make?
Total time is about 29 minutes (15 min prep + 14 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 Zesty Lemon-Dill Cod with Asparagus?
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 Zesty Lemon-Dill Cod with Asparagus?
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 Zesty Lemon-Dill Cod with Asparagus 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 Zesty Lemon-Dill Cod with Asparagus?
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
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
