Baked Cod with Lemon Butter Capers (Printable)
Tender baked cod topped with vibrant lemon butter and capers. A simple yet elegant Mediterranean dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
# What You'll Need:
→ Fish
01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5.3 oz each), skinless and boneless
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Lemon Butter Sauce
04 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
07 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
08 - 2 tablespoons capers, rinsed and drained
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
→ Garnish
10 - Lemon slices
11 - Additional fresh parsley
# How-To Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the cod fillets in a single layer.
02 - Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides evenly with salt and black pepper. Arrange fillets in the prepared baking dish in a single layer.
03 - In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and capers. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant, then remove from heat.
04 - Spoon the lemon butter sauce evenly over the cod fillets, ensuring each fillet is well coated.
05 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
06 - Remove from the oven. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and garnish with lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lemon butter sauce forms this gorgeous pool of flavor that bathes the cod just right, without overpowering its delicate taste.
- Its ready in less than 30 minutes but tastes like something youd order at a waterfront restaurant on vacation.
02 -
- The difference between perfectly cooked cod and rubbery disappointment is just 2-3 minutes in the oven, so set a timer and start checking early.
- Room temperature fish cooks more evenly than cold fish straight from the refrigerator, so let your cod fillets rest on the counter for 15 minutes before cooking.
03 -
- When zesting your lemon, press lightly and stop once you hit the white pith, which adds unwanted bitterness to your beautiful sauce.
- Spoon some of the hot butter sauce from the baking dish over the fish right before serving to refresh the flavors and add glossiness.