Mediterranean Baked Cod (2024)

Published: · By: Kylie · This post may contain affiliate links · 40 Comments

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This healthy Mediterranean baked fish dinner takes just 20 minutes from start to finish and is made with only 8 ingredients! It almost sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?! Well, it's not. It's just another quick and easy dinner that your family is going to LOVE!

Mediterranean Baked Cod (1)

Table of Contents

1 Instructions

2 Fish to Use

3 You'll Love This

4 Tips

5 Serve With

6 Family Favorite Meals

7 Recipe

8 Mediterranean Fish

Instructions

This recipe starts with Wild Alaskan Pacific Cod. It's the perfect mild, white fish for this fresh Mediterranean dish.

Place fish into a shallow baking dish. Combine olive oil with melted butter and pour it over the fillet.

Mediterranean Baked Cod (2)

Season the fish with coriander, paprika, salt and pepper. Then top it with lemon zest, sliced lemon, sliced garlic and capers.

Mediterranean Baked Cod (3)

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until the thickest part flakes easily with a fork. Then garnish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped cilantro.

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Fish to Use

  • cod
  • haddock
  • stripped bass
  • mahi mahi
  • grouper

You'll Love This

  • Did you see that ingredient list?? Only 8 ingredients! Talk about simple! This recipe is loaded with fresh Mediterranean flavors of olive oil, lemon, and capers. This combination enhances the mild white fish, while still allowing it to shine through as the star!
  • A quick cook time of just 15 minutes means you can have a healthy, flavorful dinner on the table in no time at all! It takes only minutes to melt the butter, slice the garlic, and zest the lemon. Then it's into the oven to poach the cod in that delicious oil and butter combo.
  • It's unexpected. This is not your run-of-the-mill baked fish dish. This Mediterranean fish is something your dinner guests have likely never made at home, which makes it a really fun dish to enjoy with friends and family!
Mediterranean Baked Cod (5)

Tips

  • Butter makes everything better. And that is VERY true in this Mediterranean baked fish. If you only have olive oil on hand, feel free to sub that for the butter. However, the melted butter combined with the olive oil is going to give this fish the MOST decadent, melt in your mouth flavor and texture. So don't skip it!
  • Green olives are a great substitute for capers. I usually keep capers on hand because their briny bite is one of my favorite things to add to any fish or pasta dish. But in a pinch, green olives would be a great sub! I'd add slightly more green olives in this recipe to match the bold flavor that the capers deliver.
  • Don't overcook the fish! This seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes I think people get really stuck on following a recipe to the T and forget to use their judgment. Everyone's oven cooks differently. Everyone's fish fillet may be of a different shape or thickness. Everyone's baking dish heats up differently. Use your judgment when it comes to baking time here. As soon as the fish starts to flake easily, it's done!
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Serve With

  • Spaghetti is another one of my go-to's to serve alongside this cod! Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. When the cod is baked, gently remove it from the baking dish and toss the spaghetti in the leftover butter, oil, lemon, caper mixture in the bottom of the baking dish. Then nestle the cod into the spaghetti and serve!
  • Greek Potato Wedges would also be a great accompaniment if you're looking for a Mediterranean play on the traditional "fish and chips" dish. The wedges have some of the same flavors but that crispy texture is going to contrast really well with the tender, flaky fish.
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Family Favorite Meals

  • Easy 10-Minute Garlic Butter Shrimp Recipe
  • 30-Minute Creamy Lemon Chicken
  • The Best Grilled Chicken Thighs Recipe
  • Creamy One-Pan Tuscan Salmon Recipe

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Recipe

Mediterranean Fish

Mediterranean Baked Cod (12)

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5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star

5 from 20 reviews

This healthy Mediterranean dinner takes just 20 minutes from start to finish and is made with just 8 ingredients! It almost sounds too good to be true doesn't it?! Well, it's not. It's just another quick and easy dinner that your family is going to LOVE!

  • Author: Kylie
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

UnitsScale

  • 1 lb. cod fillet
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ½ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • zest of 1 lemon + slices
  • 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • Kosher salt
  • fresh cracked pepper

Garnish:

  • fresh lemon wedges
  • fresh chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.Place cod into a large baking dish.
  2. In a small glass measuring cup combine oil and butter. Pour over cod.
  3. Season cod with coriander, paprika and a large pinch of Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper.
  4. Then top it with lemon zest, sliced lemon, sliced garlic and capers.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cod flakes easily with a fork.
  6. Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and chopped cilantro.

Notes

Butter makes everything better. And that is VERY true in this dish. If you only have olive oil on hand, feel free to sub that for the butter. However, the melted butter combined with the olive oil is going to give this fish the MOST decadent, melt in your mouth flavor and texture. So don't skip it!

Green olives are a great substitute for capers. I usually keep capers on hand because their briny bite is one of my favorite things to add to any fish or pasta dish. But in a pinch, green olives would be a great sub! I'd add slightly more green olives in this recipe to match the bold flavor that the capers deliver.

Don't overcook the fish! This seems like a no-brainer, but sometimes I think people get really stuck on following a recipe to the T and forget to use their judgment. Everyone's oven cooks differently. Everyone's fish fillet may be of a different shape or thickness. Everyone's baking dish heats up differently. Use your judgment when it comes to baking time here. As soon as the fish starts to flake easily, it's done!

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 283
  • Sugar: 0.1 g
  • Sodium: 226.4 mg
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1.2 g
  • Fiber: 0.3 g
  • Protein: 20.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 75 mg

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lauri

    Easy, delicious, and savory.
    I used Mahi instead of the cod, and fresh parsley instead of cilantro.
    Outstanding , and tasted like a 5-star restaurant meal!
    This will be a go-to on nights I want fish but don't have a ton of time!

    Reply

    • Kylie

      Woohoo! I love to hear that, Lauri! So glad you enjoyed this recipe and thanks so much for leaving a review. I really appreciate it 🙂

      Reply

  2. Karen

    Kylie, I would like to make the side dish pictured - looks like Israeli couscous with cherry tomatoes, zucchini and asparagus perhaps? Would you share?
    Thanks,
    Karen

    Reply

    • Kylie

      It is a Greek couscous salad. Here is a similar recipe - you could just use Israeli couscous instead of the orzo pasta. Great question, Karen. Thanks for reaching out! https://midwestfoodieblog.com/easy-20-minute-greek-orzo-salad/

      Reply

  3. Alyss

    Simple and easy fish! Comes together quickly and d packs a big punch. Loved it!

    Reply

    • Kylie

      I'm so glad that you enjoyed this recipe, Alyss! Thanks for leaving a review - I really appreciate it 🙂

      Reply

  4. Robin

    Made this with trout and it was wonderful! Cooked for 15 minutes which was just right. Served with Trader Joe Frozen brown rice and grillled asparagus. YUMM

    Reply

  5. Alice

    This was so good! I used sea bass and the spices were perfect. We’re adding this to the rotation!

    Reply

  6. Mary

    I have made this twice. First time did not have capers, hubby loved it! Tonight had capers, hubby LOVED it! He is a huge fish eater, me..not so much. I have to say this is delicious, I loved it as well!’
    I will be making this dish often. Excited to share with guests!!

    Reply

    • Kylie

      Capers make EVERYTHING better! 🙂 I'm so glad that you enjoyed this recipe. Thanks for leaving a review - I really appreciate it!

      Reply

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Mediterranean Baked Cod (2024)

FAQs

How long does cod take in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

Bake in 400 degrees F heated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cod is cooked through. The fish is ready when it turns a beautiful white opaque and flakes easily when you take a fork to it. Garnish and serve! I love adding some parsley for a pop of green!

What temperature should baked cod be cooked to? ›

No matter how you cook it, be sure that your cod reaches an internal temperature of 145˚F as measured by a food thermometer. At this temperature, its flesh will be opaque white and flake easily when pressed with a fork.

What is the best cooking technique for cod? ›

Try a gentle cooking method: Instead of adding fat, you can also try a gentle cooking method like steaming or cooking en papillote. Both of these methods help to preserve Pacific cod's high moisture content and produce incredibly tender results.

Is cod better in the oven or pan? ›

Pan-frying is a great option for cod fillet or loin as there is time to produce a lovely crispy skin without overcooking the delicate, flaky flesh. This is the way cod and similar white fish are often cooked in restaurant kitchens and is very simple to do at home.

How do you not overcook cod fish? ›

If the fillet is an inch thick, just cut the fish into 2-inch squares. “It's better to undercook cod than to overcook it, so test the fish after cooking 2 minutes on each side. And remember it will continue cooking a little as it rests,” says Dunlap.

Why is my baked cod tough? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

Is cod good in the oven? ›

This baked cod recipe is simple, fast, and delicious. The fish is baked in butter, then topped with lemon juice, white wine, and buttery crackers for the perfect ten dinner. This dish is a favorite of ours from a local restaurant. Serve with rice pilaf and sautéed spinach with garlic.

What temperature do cod prefer? ›

This facility has good data on cod farming and the environment. The scientists wanted to study the impact of temperature on fish health, and what happens if cod are infected with the Fransicella bacterium. Cod prefer temperatures between 8 and 13 degrees.

Can you eat slightly undercooked cod? ›

Generally there are no symptoms, because eating undercooked fish won't necessarily get you sick. In fact many people enjoy tuna and salmon cooked rare, nevermind the millions who eat completely uncooked fish in the form of sushi, sashimi and ceviche without ill affect.

Is cod easy to overcook? ›

Cod, like seafood in general, is very sensitive to overcooking. This results in cook loss and renders the fish dry and unappealing.

Can cod be pink in the middle? ›

Any harmful bacteria will be on the outside of the fish, and not in the middle. So, you can cook whole fish to preference or pink in the middle, as long as the outside is fully cooked.

Do you flip cod when cooking? ›

Instructions
  1. Pat the cod fillets very dry. ...
  2. Heat the oil a 10-inch or similar cast-iron or heavy-bottom skillet over medium-high heat. ...
  3. Let the fish cook undisturbed on the first side for 2 to 3 minutes, until the underside is nicely golden.
  4. Gently flip the cod over.
Feb 19, 2024

What is the perfect temperature for cod? ›

In general, the ideal internal temperature of cooked fish is 145 °F (63 °C). The internal temp of cod when cooked is about the same. An easy way to test if the cod is done is to note when the meat starts to turn opaque and you can separate the meat using a fork.

Do you rinse cod before baking? ›

Dry fish: It used to be recommended to rinse fish before baking, but fear of splattering harmful bacteria that might be on the fish changed that. We recommend not rinsing unless you need to rinse off any scales. Pat dry with paper towels whether you rinse or not.

How long should a fish be in the oven at 400 degrees? ›

Breaded and coated fish usually is cooked without being covered, but fillets and whole fish are covered for tender results. How long to cook fish in the oven at 400 degrees? About 8-12 minutes depending on the size of the fish.

What temperature do you cook fish on and for how long? ›

For baking, an oven temperature of 350°F (175°C) is common. For frying, the oil should be between 350°F to 375°F (175°C to 190°C). What temperature is fish done? Fish is considered done when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) at its thickest part.

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