Description
This Baked Cod in Coconut Lemon Cream Sauce is a deliciously creamy and tangy seafood dish featuring tender cod fillets baked in a fragrant coconut milk sauce infused with fresh lemon, garlic, and shallots. Perfect for an easy, dairy-free, and gluten-free weeknight dinner, it pairs wonderfully with rice or steamed vegetables.
Ingredients
Scale
Fish
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon slices for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the cod: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the cod fillets in a single layer. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels, then rub them all over with olive oil. Season each fillet evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
- Make the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add a small drizzle of olive oil. Sauté the minced garlic and finely chopped shallot for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant and translucent, being careful not to brown them. Stir in the full-fat coconut milk, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, Dijon mustard, and optional crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce slightly thickens and the flavors meld.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the prepared coconut lemon cream sauce evenly over the cod fillets in the baking dish. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through.
- Finish and serve: Remove the baked cod from the oven. Spoon some of the sauce over each fillet to keep them moist and flavorful. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and lemon slices if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite side like rice or steamed vegetables to enjoy the creamy sauce fully.
Notes
- Serve this dish over rice, quinoa, or alongside steamed vegetables to soak up the luscious sauce.
- For variety, haddock or halibut can be substituted in place of cod.
- Consider adding capers or chopped spinach to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cod fillet with sauce
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
