Ingredients
Fish and Seasoning
- 1½ pounds fresh cod fillets (or another flaky white fish)
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
Butter and Garnish
- ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) butter, cut into cold squares
- 1 lemon, cut into thin rounds
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the fish.
- Prepare Fish: Pat the cod fillets dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Place the fish in a baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle evenly with the juice of one lemon and sprinkle the salt, cracked black pepper, and garlic powder over the fillets for seasoning.
- Add Butter and Lemon: Distribute the cold butter squares and lemon slices evenly over the top of each piece of fish. This will melt and infuse the fish with rich lemon-butter flavor as it bakes.
- Bake the Fish: Bake the fish at 375°F for about 13 minutes until the fish is cooked through, tender, and easily flakes with a fork. Remove from oven and serve immediately, garnished with additional lemon if desired.
Notes
- To ensure even cooking, try to use fish fillets of similar thickness.
- If cod is unavailable, substitute with other flaky white fish like haddock, halibut, or tilapia.
- Make sure the butter is cold to create little pockets of richness as it melts slowly over the fish during baking.
- Cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the fish fillets.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a light, balanced meal.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 13 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
