Tender Baked Cod Loin (Printable)

Oven-baked cod loin fillets seasoned with herbs for a light, flavorful main dish perfect any night.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish

01 - 4 cod loin fillets, skinless and boneless, approx. 6 oz each

→ Seasonings & Marinade

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
04 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 tsp sea salt
06 - ½ tsp black pepper
07 - 1 tsp sweet paprika
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme

→ Garnish

09 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
10 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease a baking dish.
02 - Pat the cod fillets dry using paper towels and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking tray.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, paprika, and thyme until thoroughly combined.
04 - Brush the marinade evenly over each cod fillet, ensuring full coverage.
05 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Internal temperature should reach 145°F.
06 - Remove from oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • It takes less than half an hour from start to finish, so you can have dinner ready without the stress.
  • The cod stays incredibly tender and flaky, never dry or rubbery like it can get when overcooked.
  • You probably already have most of the seasonings in your pantry, so no special shopping trips needed.
  • It's light enough that you don't feel weighed down, but satisfying enough that everyone leaves the table happy.
02 -
  • Don't skip drying the fish with paper towels because moisture will prevent the marinade from sticking and make the texture less appealing.
  • Check the fish a minute or two early because cod can go from perfectly flaky to dry very quickly in a hot oven.
  • If your fillets are thinner or thicker than 170 grams, adjust the baking time by a few minutes to avoid undercooking or overcooking.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for 63 degrees Celsius if you're nervous about undercooking, because it takes the guesswork out completely.
  • Let the fish sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before baking so it cooks more evenly.
  • Brush any leftover marinade from the bowl over the fish halfway through baking for an extra boost of flavor.

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