This cod recipe is one of the best meals I’ve ever made, but don’t just take my word for it! With over 100 ratings and a 5-star review, it’s loved by readers, too. In fact, it has continued to be one of the most popular recipes on the site since I first posted it in 2016, getting millions of page views on a regular basis.

Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter - the best cod recipe you will ever make! Flavorful, flaky, and tender. this recipe
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Buttery Cod Fish Recipe

A quick, easy meal, it features tender, flakey cod coated in a decadent tomato herb butter sauce and is ready to eat in under an hour.

I love to prepare it for friends and family, and they always beg me for the recipe, because they don’t believe it didn’t come from a restaurant! It’s so tasty that even those who don’t love fish ask for seconds. 

We love to serve it with rice, quinoa, or crust bread to soak up all the sauce. And you can never go wrong with a side salad, too.

Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter - the best cod recipe you will ever make! Flavorful, flaky, and tender.

Why You’ll Love This Butter and Tomato Baked Cod Recipe

So I changed the recipe up a bit and put my own little spin and it’s seriously the best cod recipe out there.

It’s basically garlic, shallots, tomatoes, spices and broth simmered until tomatoes burst and release their juices. Then you stir in the butter and fresh herbs and OMG!

The result is velvety, thick, slightly spicy and sweet butter that you will want to eat by a spoonful.

Plus all those juices on the bottom of the pan…(my heart) ♥

Baked Cod Recipe Ingredients

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

ingredients for baked cod in herb butter
  • Aromatics: Shallot and garlic. 
  • Oil: I like to use olive oil, but avocado oil will also work. 
  • Tomatoes: Grape or cherry tomatoes. 
  • Chicken stock: Use homemade chicken stock or store-bought stock.
  • Herbs and spices: Kosher salt, red pepper flakes, fresh chopped herbs (basil, parsley, chives, cilantro, etc.) 
  • Granulated sugar: Helps balance the acidity of the tomatoes. 
  • Butter: Unsalted butter is best. 
  • Lemon: Lemon juice adds brightness and helps tenderize the fish. Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled varieties will also work. 
  • Cod fillets: Look for fresh cod that is bright, moist, and firm.

How to Make The Best Baked Cod Recipe Ever

You’ll need a small saucepan and a casserole dish for this recipe. The recipe card below has all the details you need.

ingredients for best cod recipe

Step 1: Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallot and garlic, and sauté until soft, stirring occasionally. 

Step 2: Add the tomatoes, chicken stock, sea salt, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Simmer uncovered until the tomatoes break down and release their juices and the liquid has almost evaporated. 

Step 3: Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in the butter and fresh herbs. Cover to keep warm while preparing the fish. 

Step 4: Drizzle the bottom of the casserole dish lightly with olive oil. 

Step 5: Use a clean paper towel to pat the cod dry, and arrange it in a single layer in the dish. Season generously with salt and pepper, and drizzle the top with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. 

Step 6: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil, and bake until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove the cod from the oven, and spread the tomato butter on top. 

Step 7: Cover the casserole dish again, and let it stand for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped herbs, if desired, and enjoy warm.

Baked Cod Recipe Variations

  • Mediterranean twist: Substitute grape tomatoes with halved Roma, add olives (Kalamata), and stir in a bit of feta at the end. Maybe some capers for briny zing.
  • Citrus & herb punch: Add slices of lemon or orange under the fish. Use fresh thyme or tarragon in addition to basil/parsley, and finish with a squeeze of citrus juice just before serving.
  • Spicy kick: Add more red pepper flakes, or even a small minced chili (serrano or jalapeño) when cooking aromatics. A dash of smoked paprika could also deepen flavor.
  • Creamy spin: After simmering tomatoes, swirl in a bit of cream or crème fraîche (just a tablespoon or two) along with butter for a more luxurious, silky sauce.
  • Vegetable loaded: Roast bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant underneath or alongside the cod so their juices mingle with the tomato-herb butter.

What to Serve with Baked Cod

You can serve it with rice, quinoa, or my favorite…crusty bread to soak in all the juices. I mean does it get better than that!?

I’m really hoping you give this baked cod with butter a try and even if you’re not a fish lover, I think it will change your mind.

How to Store Baked Cod

Store leftover cod with tomato herb butter in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

Best Baked Cod Recipe FAQs

Can I eat Cod on a mediterranean diet?

Cod is a lean, heart-healthy protein, low in fat, high in protein, and pairs perfectly with staples like olive oil, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and lots of vegetables.

Why is my baked Cod so tough?

If your cod turns out tough or rubbery, it usually means it was overcooked. Cod is naturally a delicate fish, so it doesn’t take long in the oven. A good rule of thumb is to cook it until it just flakes easily with a fork. I always recommend keeping an eye on the thickness of your fillets. Thicker pieces need a little more time, while thinner ones can be done in as little as 10 minutes.

What is the best seasoning for Cod?

My go-to is a mix of garlic, lemon, fresh herbs, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. But it’s also delicious with Mediterranean spices like paprika, oregano, or dill. If you want to keep things super simple, even just olive oil, salt, and pepper will do the trick.

Cod with Tomato and Herb Butter - the best cod recipe you will ever make! Flavorful, flaky, and tender. Plus at only 278 cal | littlebroken.com @littlebroken

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Close up side view of cod in tomato herb butter

Best Baked Cod Recipe Ever

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 115 reviews
  • Author: Katya
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Yield: 4-6 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

Most tender, flakiest, and flavorful cod you will ever make! This tomato and herb butter compliments the mild tasting cod in the most delicious way ever. It will be the only baked cod with butter you will crave time after time.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Tomato and Herb Butter

  • 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
  • 1 pint grape or cherry tomatoes
  • ½ cup chicken stock
  • ½ tsp. kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
  • ¼ tsp. granulated sugar
  • 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, sliced
  • 3 Tbsp. fresh chopped herbs (basil, parsley, chives, cilantro), plus extra for garnish

Cod

  • 2 – 2 ¼ pounds fresh cod fillets, cut into 6-8 oz. portions*
  • 1 lemon
  • Kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

Tomato and Herb Butter

  1. In a small saucepan heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté shallot and garlic for 4-5 minutes or until soft, stirring occasionally.
  2. Add tomatoes, chicken stock, sea salt, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Simmer, uncovered, for 15-17 minutes or until tomatoes break down and release their juices and liquid has almost evaporated.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter and fresh herbs. The herb butter should be velvety and thick. Cover and keep warm while the cod is baking.

Cod

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Drizzle the bottom of a casserole dish lightly with olive oil. You want a dish big enough to fit the cod in a single layer with some room around or you will get too much juice during baking.
  3. Pat dry the cod really well and place in a single layer. Season with salt and pepper to taste but be generous. Drizzle the top lightly with olive oil and squeeze of fresh lemon. I used about ½ lemon. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 12-18 minutes or until easily flaked. Baking time will depend on the thickness of the cod.
  4. Remove from the oven and evenly spread the tomato butter over the cod. Cover back with aluminum foil and let stand at room temperature for 1-2 minutes before serving. You just want all the flavors to come together.
  5. Garnish with fresh chopped herbs, if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

*I used about 2 ¼ pounds of cod that I was able to cut into six (6-8 oz.) individual portions
**This cod serves really well with cooked rice, quinoa, or crusty bread to soak up all the juices.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 (6-8 oz.) fillet plus sauce
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 3.1 g
  • Sodium: 383.3 mg
  • Fat: 11.1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6.8 g
  • Protein: 57.7 g
  • Cholesterol: 168.7 mg