How To Bake The Perfect Cod

Before cooking cod, make sure you have all these ingredients accessible in your kitchen.

Cod

Most baked cod recipe has 6-ounce fillets for one serving. Fresh cod is often preferred as it has better texture and flavor compared to frozen cod. It is alright to use frozen cod as well.

But be sure it is thoroughly thawed before baking. Otherwise, there could be a problem with excess moisture inside the fish and uneven cooking.

Olive Oil

The olive oil in most baked cod recipes does much more than serve as a cooking medium, its golden color covering every fillet with an aromatic layer that infuses delicate richness into keeping it moist and tender.

Lemon

Lemon here serves as a brightening agent and imbues each fillet with a refreshing tang that cuts through the richness of the fish. The acidity amplifies the natural flavors of the cod while adding a zesty contrast.

Garlic

Minced and sprinkled atop the fillets, it gives each bite a savory intensity to counter the mild flavor of the fish.

This is where garlic, upon baking, subtly caramelizes and exudes an earthy essence mingling with olive oil and herbs, developing a tantalizing aroma.

Cherry Tomatoes

The cherry tomatoes add bursts of sweetness and tint to the platter. While baking, the cherry tomatoes soften and caramelize slightly, adding strokes of sweetness that balance the savory elements of the cod and its seasonings.

Seasonings:

Aromatics add natural flavor-enhancing elements to the fish, and salt, black pepper, paprika, and dried herbs are just what we need.

Paprika adds color to the baked cod, along with a slight, sweet, smoky flavor. Crushed red pepper flakes provide a subtle but effective kick of heat for this recipe. This is absolutely optional if you want a peppery kick.

Garnishes (Lemon Wedges, Fresh Parsley)

Before serving, cod garnished with lemon wedges or parsley gives the food such a brilliant colour that is not only delicious but looks tempting enough.

Baking cod is probably the easiest recipe that gets ready in less than 30 minutes. All you gotta do is mix together garlic herb butter mixture, coat it on top of the cod, then throw it in the oven.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 3 garlic cloves (minced)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• Salt and ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• Lemon wedges (for serving)

Equipments

• Baking Dish
• Baking Sheet (Optional)
• Measuring Spoons
• Small Mixing Bowl
• Whisk or Fork
• Basting Brush
• Knife and Cutting Board
• Lemon Zester or Grater
• Kitchen Tongs or Spatula
• Instant-Read Thermometer

Directions

1. Preheat Oven

Your oven should be preheated to 400°F or 200°C. This ensures the desired textural and flavor characteristics for an appropriate cooking time.

2. Prep the Baking Dish

Smear some olive oil or cooking spray in a baking dish to prevent the cod from sticking during the baking process, hence it cooks evenly and just comes out.

This adds flavor to it, helps in the golden crust, and makes cleaning easy as minimal food remains in the pan.

3. Prepare the Marinade

Take a bowl for mixing the ingredients (olive oil, lemon zest and juice, crushed garlic, paprika, dried thyme, dried parsley, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes). Ensure all condiments are well combined.

4. Cod Marinating

Marinate the cod by putting the 4 fillets into the baking dish. Using your cut brush, apply the marinade you made directly onto each fillet, making sure each side of the fillets is properly covered with the mixture.

This allows the flavor impartation to take place in the cod and allows the seasoning to go well into the fish. This readies the cod for baking at the time when flavors will meld and grow during cooking.

5. Add the Cherry Tomatoes

Place halved cherry tomatoes around the cod fillets in the baking dish. This step adds flavor and beauty to the dish. As the cod bakes, the tomatoes release their juices to sweeten up the area around them and balance out the saltiness of the fish and the marinade.

6. Bake the Cod

Place the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the cod flakes with a fork and is obscure throughout. Ensure internal temperature extents 145°F / 63°C for food safety.

This cooking time and temperature ensure the cod is tender and moist but fully cooked for serving.

7. Garnish and Serve

Take the cod out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Dust the cod with 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley for a fresh finish. Serve the baked cod with lemon wedges so that each serving gets a refreshing touch of citrus that elevates its flavors.

Timing is everything when baking cod. It's literally a few minutes between a perfectly flaky fillet and an overcooked, dry fish. Typical cooking will be 15 to 20 minutes at 400°F for cod fillets, depending on thickness and oven peculiarities.

Mastering this timing is important to perfect texture, which should be tender and moist inside, lightly crisped on the outside.

Let's delve a little deeper into how you can make sure this is your perfect baking time for your cod so that every time you use this versatile fish, the result will be divine.

1. Cooking Times:

• Standard fillets: 1-inch thick: 15-20 minutes
• Thicker fillets or loins: 1.5-2 inches: 18-23 minutes

2. Signs of Doneness:

• Opaque flesh: The fish is no longer translucent.
• Flaking: Press lightly with a fork; it should flake easily.
• Internal temperature: 145°F at the thickest part.

3. Adjustments:

• Frozen fillets may take 5-7 minutes longer; thawing is recommended to ensure best results.
• When using the convection oven, cooking time may be faster; reduce cooking time by 2 to 3 minutes.

1. Grab a glass baking tray if you've got one. It'll hold onto heat better and cook your fish evenly. Trust me, it makes a difference.

2. Before you pop that cod in the oven, place an aluminum foil or parchment paper on your tray. This little trick keeps your fish nice and moist - no dry, sad cod on your watch!

3. Now, here's the secret to juicy cod: Give those fillets a good rub down with extra virgin olive oil. Don't be shy - both sides need some love. Let the fish chill for about 5 minutes before you add any other seasonings. This oil bath will lock in all that delicious moisture.

You can store leftover baked cod in either of two ways: in the fridge or in the freezer. Here's how to do both:

Storing in the Refrigerator

• Cooling: First, let your cooked cod cool down utterly. This is necessary to avoid bacterial growth on the fish. Never let it stay over two hours at room temperature.
• Airtight container: Transfer the cod to an airtight vessel to prevent it from drying.
• Storage Time: Cooked cod can cautiously be stored in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

Freezing

• Freezer Preparation: Once done, let the cod cool completely. Next, divide them into your preferred portions of single servings or batches of more substantial amounts, if desired.
• Freezer-Safe Packaging: Package cod in freezer-safe, airtight containers or zip-lock bags. Remove air before sealing to avoid freezer burn.
• Labeling: The container should be marked with the date so that one can estimate the time it's been in the freezer.
• Storage Time: Frozen baked cod can be kept for 3 months at the best quality.

Reheating

Baked cod should be reheated delicately so that the food will not be dry. Following are a couple of ways to reheat:

• Oven: Low oven temperature of around 275°F and bake slowly in a baking dish until it is heated through.
• Stovetop: Flake the cod into a pan with a little olive oil or butter and gently reheat.
• Microwave: Not really recommended, but if you must, do so on low power and in spurts, constantly checking and flipping the cod for even heating.

Looking to round out your cod dinner? We've got you covered with some killer sides:

• Veggies are your confidant here. Toss some asparagus, broccoli, or string beans in the oven while your cod's cooking. They'll absorb any leftover seasoning and enhance that scaly fish perfectly.
• Want to keep it light? Whip up a crisp salad. Think mixed greens with a zesty lemon vinaigrette. The freshness cuts through the richness of the cod like a charm.
• Craving something heartier? Roasted potatoes are your go-to. Cube them up, toss with olive oil and herbs, and roast until they're golden. The crispy edges are to die for.
• Rice pilaf is another winner. It soaks up any fish juices and adds a nice texture contrast. Sprinkle some toasted almonds or herbs to jazz it up.
• And if you're feeling fancy, a dollop of homemade tartar sauce or a squeeze of lemon takes your cod to the next level.
• Don't forget a starch! A chunk of crusty bread is perfect for mopping up any leftover sauce or oil from your cod.