Boston Baked Cod Recipe
Boston Baked Cod is a flavorful and easy-to-make seafood dish featuring tender cod fillets topped with a zesty, buttery panko breadcrumb crust. This recipe highlights fresh lemon, garlic, and parsley for a bright and savory finish, perfect for a healthy dinner option that bakes quickly in the oven.
- Author: Lila
- 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 and Seasoning
- 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
- Prepare the oven and dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and generously butter a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent the cod from sticking and to add flavor.
- Season the cod: Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels to help the topping adhere better. Season both sides of the fillets evenly with salt and black pepper.
- Arrange the fillets: Place the cod fillets in the prepared baking dish, keeping space between each piece to ensure even cooking.
- Melt the butter: Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to foam, which usually takes about 2 minutes. This helps the butter to fully infuse the breadcrumbs off the heat.
- Make the breadcrumb topping: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and lemon zest until the mixture resembles wet sand, creating a flavorful and moist crumb.
- Top the fillets: Evenly divide the breadcrumb mixture over each cod fillet, pressing gently so it adheres well and forms a crust during baking.
- Add the finishing touches: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice and olive oil over the breadcrumb-topped fillets, which adds brightness and helps with browning during baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 12-15 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork, and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
Notes
- Use fresh cod fillets for the best texture and flavor.
- Patting the fish dry is crucial for a crispy breadcrumb topping.
- The panko breadcrumb topping can be customized with additional herbs like thyme or dill if desired.
- If lemon zest or fresh parsley is unavailable, dried alternatives can be used but fresh ingredients offer better flavor.
- Baking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of the fillets.
- This dish pairs well with steamed vegetables or a light salad for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days but are best enjoyed fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 fillet (approx. 6 oz)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: baked cod, Boston baked cod, fish recipe, seafood dinner, panko crust, lemon garlic cod, healthy cod recipe, easy baked fish