Boston Baked Cod Recipe
Boston Baked Cod is a delicious and easy-to-make seafood dish featuring tender cod fillets topped with a flavorful, crunchy panko breadcrumb mixture infused with fresh lemon, parsley, and garlic. Baked to perfection, this dish offers a light yet satisfying meal perfect for weeknights or special occasions.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 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 and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Generously butter a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Season the Cod: Pat the cod fillets completely dry using paper towels to ensure the topping adheres well. Season both sides of each fillet with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Arrange Fish in Dish: Place the seasoned cod fillets in the prepared baking dish, leaving a little space between each piece for even cooking.
- Melt Butter for Topping: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the 4 tablespoons of butter until it starts to foam, about 2 minutes. Removing from heat promptly prevents burning.
- Prepare Breadcrumb Mixture: Stir the panko breadcrumbs, chopped parsley, garlic powder, and lemon zest into the melted butter until the mixture resembles wet sand, ensuring it is evenly combined.
- Top the Cod: Divide the breadcrumb mixture evenly over each fillet, pressing gently to help it adhere to the fish surface.
- Add Lemon Juice and Olive Oil: Drizzle the fresh lemon juice and olive oil evenly over the breadcrumb-topped fillets to add moisture and brighten the flavors.
- Bake the Fish: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the breadcrumb topping turns golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the baked cod rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and the fish to finish cooking gently.
Notes
- Ensure the cod fillets are dry before seasoning to help the topping stick better.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor impact.
- You can substitute panko breadcrumbs with crushed crackers or gluten-free breadcrumbs if desired.
- Adjust cooking time if fillets are thicker or thinner than 1 inch to avoid over- or undercooking.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet with topping
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Boston Baked Cod, baked fish recipe, cod fillets, panko breadcrumb topping, lemon parsley fish, easy seafood dinner