Boston Baked Cod Recipe
Boston Baked Cod is a simple and flavorful baked fish dish featuring tender cod fillets topped with a buttery, lemony panko breadcrumb crust. Perfectly seasoned and baked to golden perfection, this recipe is a healthy and elegant meal that comes together quickly, ideal for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
- Author: Luna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Fish
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz each), about 1 inch thick
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Butter for greasing dish
Topping
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Zest of 1 lemon
Finishing
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add richness.
- Prepare Cod: Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy topping. Season both sides with salt and black pepper to taste for balanced flavor.
- Arrange Fish: Place the seasoned cod fillets in the buttered baking dish, leaving some space between each piece to ensure even cooking.
- Melt Butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter until it starts foaming, about 2 minutes. This helps develop a nutty flavor.
- Make Breadcrumb Mixture: Remove the melted butter from heat and stir in the panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and lemon zest until the mixture resembles wet sand, which will become your flavorful crust.
- Top the Fillets: Evenly divide the breadcrumb mixture over the cod fillets, pressing gently so it adheres well to the fish.
- Add Lemon and Olive Oil: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice and olive oil evenly over the breadcrumb topping for added moisture and tang.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the topping turns golden brown and crispy.
- Rest & Serve: Allow the baked cod to rest for 2 minutes before serving, which helps the juices settle and enhances flavor.
Notes
- Patting the fish completely dry is key to a crispy breadcrumb topping.
- Use fresh lemon zest for a bright, fresh flavor; dried zest will not give the same aroma.
- If panko is unavailable, regular breadcrumbs can be used but the topping may be less crispy.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste; the lemon juice adds tang but salt can be adjusted accordingly.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet with topping (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Boston Baked Cod, baked cod recipe, lemon cod, crispy cod fillets, healthy fish recipe, baked fish