I’m excited to share this keto baked lemon butter cod recipe with you today. It’s one of my go-to dinners when I want something healthy and delicious but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.
The whole thing takes less than half an hour from start to finish, and most of that time is just waiting for the oven to do its work. You end up with perfectly cooked cod that’s moist, flavorful, and covered in a garlic butter sauce that tastes restaurant-quality.
Cod is an excellent choice for keto because it’s lean and packed with protein while being very low in carbohydrates.
When you add butter and lemon, you’re getting those healthy fats that are so important on a keto diet, plus the bright, fresh flavor that makes fish taste amazing.
The garlic and herbs bring everything together without adding significant carbs or calories. It’s a complete meal that fits your macros and actually tastes like something you’d want to eat, not just something you’re eating because you’re on a diet.
👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Only 6 Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a long shopping list or a pantry full of spices to make this cod recipe. It calls for just six basic ingredients – cod, butter, lemon, garlic, lemon pepper, and dill.
High in Protein: Each serving of this cod gives you a solid amount of protein, which is essential when you’re following a keto diet. Protein helps keep you full, supports your muscles, and keeps your energy levels steady throughout the day.
The Fish Comes Out Perfectly Moist Every Time: One of the biggest challenges with cooking fish is not overcooking it. When fish is overdone, it becomes dry and rubbery and loses all its appeal.
This recipe makes it really hard to mess up because the butter sauce keeps the cod moist while it bakes, and the cooking time is just right.
✨ Recipe Ingredients
- 4 Cod Loins or Cod Filets
- 1 Lemon (read note!)
- 1/4 cup Butter (melted)
- 1 clove Garlic (minced) (read note!)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper (I highly recommend using this seasoning– amazon link)
- 1/2 teaspoon Dill Weed (dried)
👨🍳 How To Make
Follow this easy recipe:
Step 1
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F.
Step 2
Cut the lemon in half and sqeeze the juice from one half of the lemon until you have 1 tablespoon of juice. Place the remaining lemon half, cut into slices – in the bottom of a casserole dish. You can also slice a whole lemon for more flavor.
Step 3
Whisk together the butter, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and garlic.
Step 4
Pat the cod fish dry with paper towels. Then, sprinkle it with lemon pepper and dill weed. Place it over the lemon slices.
Step 5
Pour the garlic butter mixture over the cod and bake for 17-20 minutes or until opaque – the fish will flake easily.
💡Tips
1. Don’t Skip Patting the Cod Dry
Before you season your cod, take a few paper towels and pat each piece of fish until it’s completely dry on all sides.
This might seem like an unnecessary step, but it actually makes a big difference in how your fish turns out. When fish is wet, the seasonings just slide right off instead of sticking to the surface.
The moisture also creates steam in the oven, which can make your fish rubbery instead of getting that nice texture you want.
By drying it thoroughly, the lemon pepper and dill will stick properly to the fish, and the butter sauce will coat it better instead of just pooling around it.
2. Use Fresh Lemon Juice, Not Bottled
The recipe calls for fresh lemon juice, and I really recommend you use an actual lemon instead of the bottled stuff you can buy at the store.
Fresh lemon juice tastes completely different – it’s brighter, more flavorful, and doesn’t have that slightly bitter or artificial taste that bottled lemon juice sometimes has.
3. Melt the Butter Completely Before Mixing
When you’re making the garlic butter sauce, make sure your butter is fully melted and liquid before you add the lemon juice and garlic. If the butter is only partially melted or still has chunks in it, it won’t mix properly with the lemon juice.
You want these ingredients to combine into a smooth, pourable sauce that you can drizzle evenly over the cod.
The easiest way to melt butter is in the microwave – put it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 15-20 second bursts, stirring in between, until it’s completely liquid.
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FAQ
How do I know when the cod is fully cooked?
There are a few ways to tell when your cod is perfectly cooked and ready to eat. The most reliable method is the fork test – take a fork and gently insert it into the thickest part of the fish, then twist slightly.
If the cod is done, it will flake apart easily into large, moist chunks. The flesh should separate into layers without you having to force it. If it still feels firm and doesn’t want to flake apart, it needs more time.
Another sign is the color and appearance – raw or undercooked cod looks translucent or slightly shiny, almost glass-like.
Keto Baked Lemon Butter Cod
Print RecipeIngredients
- 4 Cod Loins or Cod Filets
- 1 Lemon read note!
- 1/4 cup Butter melted
- 1 clove Garlic minced (read note!)
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Pepper (I highly recommend using this seasoning– amazon link)
- 1/2 teaspoon Dill Weed dried
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400°F.
- Cut the lemon in half and sqeeze the juice from one half of the lemon until you have 1 tablespoon of juice. Place the remaining lemon half, cut into slices – in the bottom of a casserole dish. You can also slice a whole lemon for more flavor.
- Whisk together the butter, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and garlic.
- Pat the cod fish dry with paper towels. Then, sprinkle it with lemon pepper and dill weed. Place it over the lemon slices.
- Pour the garlic butter mixture over the cod and bake for 17-20 minutes or until opaque – the fish will flake easily.
Delicious!
Simple, fast, and delicious!
Wow, this baked cod came out perfectly flaky and buttery!