Baked Cod with Herb Butter

There's something about the smell of butter melting over fresh fish that stops you mid-afternoon and makes you want to cook dinner right then. I discovered this baked cod on a Tuesday evening when I had nothing but the basics in my fridge and a craving for something that felt restaurant-quality but took almost no effort. The herb butter transforms simple white fish into something elegant enough to impress without the stress, and now it's become my go-to when I need a meal that feels special but doesn't demand hours in the kitchen.

I remember cooking this for my sister when she visited, and she was amazed that something this good took less time than waiting for takeout to arrive. She watched me chop the herbs and mix the butter, and when that first bite melted on her tongue, she got quiet in that specific way that means the food is doing exactly what it should. That's when I realized this recipe doesn't need complexity to be memorable—it just needs the right ingredients treated with care.

Ingredients

• Cod fillets (4, about 150 g each): Look for fillets that are roughly the same thickness so they cook evenly, and ask the fishmonger for ones that were caught recently—you'll taste the difference in sweetness and delicate texture.
• Unsalted butter (60 g, softened): Cold butter won't blend smoothly into a cohesive herb mixture, so leave it out for 15 minutes before you start—this small step makes everything easier.
• Fresh parsley, dill, and chives: These three herbs balance each other perfectly, but don't skip the dill if you can help it; it's what gives this its signature flavor that tastes refined without being fussy.
• Garlic clove (minced): Mince it finely so it distributes evenly through the butter and doesn't create sharp, overwhelming pockets of flavor.
• Lemon zest and juice: The zest adds brightness while the juice prevents the herb butter from tasting heavy—both are essential, not optional.
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper: These season the fish itself, creating layers of flavor rather than just relying on the herb butter alone.
• Lemon wedges and optional extra herbs: These aren't just decoration; they give people at the table a way to adjust the brightness to their taste.

Instructions

Get everything ready:

Preheat your oven to 200°C and line your baking dish with parchment paper or a light coat of butter so the fish won't stick and cleanup stays easy. This takes two minutes but prevents frustration later.

Dry and season the fish:

Pat each cod fillet with paper towels to remove surface moisture—this helps the herb butter cling better and allows the fish to cook more evenly. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper, then arrange the fillets in your prepared dish with a little space between each one.

Make the herb butter:

In a small bowl, combine your softened butter with the parsley, dill, chives, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice, stirring until everything is evenly distributed and the mixture looks like pale green butter. Taste it and adjust the seasoning if needed—this is your chance to get it right before it goes on the fish.

Top and bake:

Spread about a tablespoon of herb butter over each fillet, making sure it covers the surface where the heat will reach it. Slide the dish into the oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, watching until the fish flakes easily when you test it with a fork and has turned opaque all the way through.

Rest and serve:

Let the fish sit in the pan for one minute after you remove it from the oven so the residual heat finishes the cooking gently. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and extra fresh herbs if you like.

Save

There's a quiet moment when you pull the baking dish from the oven and the steam rises up carrying all those herb scents with it—that's when you realize you've created something that goes beyond the simple fish and butter you started with. That's what keeps me coming back to this recipe.

Why This Fish Matters

Cod is a mild white fish that doesn't overpower the subtle herb butter, and its delicate texture means it cooks quickly without drying out if you watch it closely. The fact that it's affordable and widely available means you can make this whenever the craving strikes, not just on special occasions when you hunt down specific ingredients. Its blank-canvas flavor is exactly what makes this herb butter treatment shine—there's nothing competing for attention.

Building Flavors in the Butter

The herb butter is where the magic happens, and getting the balance right changes everything about how this dish tastes. Each herb brings something different—the parsley adds freshness, the dill contributes that distinctive subtle anise note, and the chives round everything out with a gentle onion whisper. The garlic and lemon zest tie it all together so the flavors don't taste like separate ingredients but rather one cohesive layer of flavor that makes the simple cod taste like it came from a restaurant kitchen.

Make It Your Own

Once you understand how this comes together, you can make changes without losing what makes it work. Some nights I add a pinch of red chili flakes to the herb butter for warmth, or I swap half the parsley for fresh tarragon if I'm feeling fancy. The core idea stays the same—soft butter, fresh herbs, delicate fish, and the heat of the oven bringing it all together into something elegant.

• Haddock, pollock, or halibut work beautifully if cod isn't available or you want variety.
• Serve alongside roasted potatoes, steamed asparagus, or a crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette.
• The herb butter tastes incredible on other white fish, shrimp, or even roasted chicken if you want to extend the technique beyond this one dish.

Save

This recipe proves that you don't need complicated techniques or an endless ingredient list to cook something genuinely good. Every time I make this, I remember why simple dishes done well are what we actually want to eat.

Recipe FAQ

→ What is the best temperature to bake cod with herb butter?

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F) for optimal cooking, ensuring the fish flakes easily and stays moist.

→ Can other fish be used instead of cod?

Yes, white fish like haddock or pollock can be substituted while maintaining similar texture and flavor.

→ How should the herb butter be prepared and applied?

Mix softened butter with parsley, dill, chives, garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice, then spread evenly atop each fillet before baking.

→ What sides complement this baked cod dish?

Steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes, or a crisp green salad pair beautifully to round out the meal.

→ Is it possible to add a spicy note to the herb butter?

Yes, a pinch of red chili flakes can be added to the herb butter mixture for extra flavor and heat.