This oven Baked Cod Recipe is made with white cod fish fillets smothered in an easy and flavorful Cajun Butter Sauce, then baked until perfectly tender and flaky. This light and delicious Baked Cod Recipe is easy to make and ready in 15 minutes.
If you love easy baked meals, you might want to check the best Baked Pork Chops, juicy Baked Chicken Breast and this Baked Salmon Recipe.
The Best Baked Cod Recipe
This is the best fish recipe to serve to people who don’t usually cook or eat fish and especially for adults and children that claim not to like fish at all. Cod is a lean and mild white fish that is meaty yet delicate and flaky.
Baked cod takes on any seasoning very well and doesn’t have a very strong fishy flavor or aroma.
Why This Recipe Works
- Baked Cod is a simple and healthy fish recipe that is easy to throw together and can be on your table in 15 minutes!
- Cod fish is an affordable white fish especially if compared to halibut or sea bass.
- Baking cod in the oven requires one baking dish (or sheet pan) making clean up a breeze.
- You can easily customize this recipe to your taste by adjusting the seasoning or by using your favorite spices.
- Instead of baking the fish in the oven, this cod recipe can be grilled, sautéed, pan seared or broiled.
What Type Of Cod Fish To Buy
Buying good quality fish is of most importance. If you can find a wild variety, even better. You can purchase individually portioned cod fillets or a large fish fillet and cut it yourself. Markets often sell cod with the skin on. The skin protects the fish from drying while it bakes so I recommend you remove it after the cod is baked. The skin is so much easier to remove after baking and comes off without much effort.
Fresh Cod Fish Vs Frozen
I tend to buy frozen fish more often than not. Frozen fish is caught and processed quickly and then sold, while fresh fish sold at the market has usually been thawed out before being put out for sale. Fresh caught or the catch of the day is usually very pricey and that is if you are lucky enough to have access to it.
Easy Baked Cod Ingredients
- Cod Fillet: You can purchase cod with the skin on or off. The skin protects the fish from drying and its easy to remove after baking. Fish skin is edible and delicious! I used Alaskan cod to make this recipe.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted butter can be used.
- Garlic: I use fresh garlic.
- Cajun Seasoning: Homemade Cajun seasoning or store-bought can be used. Some store-bought varieties are very salty so you may have to adjust the amount used in this recipe.
- Salt and Pepper: I use sea salt.
- Garnish: Lemon slices and chopped parsley (optional)
How To Bake Cod
If you are wondering how to cook cod in the oven, I am here to tell you that baking fish is very easy and the results are tender, moist and flaky fish with very little effort. For detailed instructions, check the printable recipe card below.
- Prepare the Cod: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pat dry the fish and lay it in a baking dish.
- Season the fish on both sides with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Make Cajun Butter: Combine the butter, garlic and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl.
- Top each fillet with about a spoonful of the butter mixture.
- Bake the Fish: Bake until the fish is flaky and cooked though.
- Serve immediately.
Yes! Thaw the fish fillets in the refrigerator overnight. When thawed, pat the filets dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
Absolutely! Instead of Cajun seasoning, you can flavor the butter with other spice mixes like Old Bay or lemon pepper. You can also make a flavored butter with orange zest, garlic and tarragon.
I bake this cod recipe uncovered at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure your oven is pre-heated.
Cooked Cod Safe Internal Temperature
According to the FDA, cod fish should reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit before consumption. Check the temperature of the center part of the fish fillet with an instant read thermometer for accuracy. You can remove the fish from the oven when it reaches 135 to 140 degrees. The temperature will continue to rise a few degrees after is removed from the oven.
How To Know When Baked Cod Is Done
Besides checking the internal temperature with an instant read thermometer, you know the fish is done when it becomes opaque and easily flakes with a fork.
Is Baked Cod Fish Healthy?
White fish is a very lean protein with many nutrients. Cod is loaded with vitamins and its said to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve brain function. Cod is also low in mercury.
Do You Bake Fish Covered or Uncovered?
For this recipe, the fish is baked uncovered. For most fish recipes, it’s really not necessary to cover fish while it bakes.
Why Is My Baked Cod Tough/Rubbery?
Tough fish is a sign of overcooked fish. As the fish bakes, it becomes firm. When overcooked, the flesh firms up and shrinks due to moisture loss. This causes the fish to get chewy, dry and tough in texture.
How To Store and Reheat Leftover Cooked Fish
It’s best to eat fish within 1 to 2 days after cooking it. Store leftover baked cod in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
To reheat cod without drying it out, place it on a baking rack over a baking sheet or in a baking dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Reheat it in a preheated 275 degree Fahrenheit oven until warm through. Timing will depend on the thickness of the fish. A 1-inch fillet may take about 10-12 minutes.
Can I Freeze Baked/Cooked Cod?
Yes, this cooked cod recipe freezes well. Baked cod can be frozen for up to 1 month if stored properly. To freeze, cool the fish completely, then store in a freezer-safe container or in a freezer safe resealable bag.
What To Serve With Baked Cod
This easy and delicious cod recipe pairs well with so many side dishes. For a light and healthy meal, we like to serve it with blanched green beans or a simple salad. Roasted fingerling potatoes, corn pudding, mashed potatoes, Mexican street corn salad and Southwest couscous salad are also great options.
Baked Cod Recipe Tips
- Don’t overcook the fish. Overcooked fish is rubbery and dry.
- Some store-bought Cajun seasoning mixes are very salty. If that is the case, you may need to reduce the amount of seasoning mix you add to the flavored butter.
- We always have a batch of homemade Cajun Seasoning mix in the pantry. Homemade seasonings are more affordable and you can customize it to your taste.
Take A Look At These Other Seafood Recipes:
- Maryland Crab Cakes
- Blackened Fish Tacos
- Grilled Mahi Mahi with Mango Sauce
- Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe
- Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo
- New England Clam Chowder
- Lobster Bisque
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Baked Cod Recipe with Cajun Butter
Ingredients
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
- 5 tablespoons butter softened
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (If using store-bought seasoning check the salt level. If it's salty, omit the salt listed above)
- Chopped Parsley and lemon wedges or slices to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Pat dry the fish and lay it in a baking dish (2.5 or 3 Qt depending on size of fish).
- Season the fish on both sides with salt and ground black pepper to taste.
- Combine the butter, minced garlic and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl.
- Top each fillet with about a spoonful of the butter mixture.
- Bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. Exact times will vary depending on the thickness of the fish. The fish is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
 Serve immediately with lemon wedges or slices garnished with chopped parsley.
Chef’s Tips
- Don’t overcook the fish.
- Some store-bought Cajun seasoning mixes are very salty. If that is the case, you may need to reduce the amount of seasoning mix you add to the flavored butter.
- We always have a batch of homemade Cajun Seasoning mix in the pantry. Homemade seasonings are more affordable and you can customize it to your taste.
Joanna Atelburg says
First time EVER making fish. This recipe is perfect. The Cajun butter was awesome. Very easy. Thank you. I can officially cook fish.
Kathy says
So glad to hear that the fish turned out great! Thank you.