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Baked Cod with Lemon and Capers

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This easy baked cod recipe features tender fillets infused with zesty lemon and briny capers, all baked to perfection in under 30 minutes. It’s a healthy, comforting dish that’s perfect for weeknights or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 fresh cod fillets (6 oz each), boneless and skinless
  • 3/4 teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 medium lemons, thinly sliced (plus extra for juicing)
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons capers in brine, drained and rinsed
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat cod fillets dry with paper towels and arrange in a single layer in a baking dish or ovenproof skillet.
  3. Sprinkle fillets evenly with salt and black pepper.
  4. Thinly slice 2 lemons into rounds, removing any seeds. Juice extra lemon if desired and set aside.
  5. In a small bowl, mix capers, olive oil, and (optional) minced garlic and red pepper flakes.
  6. Scatter lemon slices over and around the cod. Drizzle the caper and olive oil mixture evenly across the fillets. Pour any reserved lemon juice over the top if desired.
  7. Bake on the center rack for 15–18 minutes, depending on thickness, until cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork (internal temp should be 145°F). For thin fillets, check at 12 minutes.
  8. Let fish rest for 2–3 minutes out of the oven.
  9. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
  10. Serve hot, spooning pan juices, lemon slices, and capers over each serving.

Notes

Pat the fish dry before baking for best texture. Use thin lemon slices to avoid bitterness. Rinse capers to reduce saltiness. For extra flavor, zest a lemon and sprinkle over the fish before serving. If lemons brown too much, tent with foil. Cod is best served hot but leftovers keep well for up to 2 days. Substitute haddock, pollock, or tilapia if cod is unavailable.

Nutrition

Keywords: baked cod, lemon capers, easy fish recipe, healthy dinner, gluten-free, Mediterranean, weeknight meal, seafood, oven baked cod

Find it online: https://blipflavor.com/baked-cod-with-lemon-and-capers-easy-30-minute-tender-recipe/