Go Back
Baked cod in coconut lemon cream sauce served in a baking dish

Baked Cod in Zesty Coconut Cream Sauce

This baked cod in zesty coconut cream sauce is a flavorful and healthy meal that comes together quickly, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings: 4 fillets
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 4-6 oz Cod fillets per person
  • 1 can Full-fat canned coconut milk about 13.5 oz
  • 1 Fresh lemon zest and juice
  • 2-3 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 small Shallot finely diced
  • 1/4 cup Chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Cornstarch optional: mixed with 1 tablespoon cold water for thickening
  • 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley or cilantro chopped for garnish
  • Salt To taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper To taste

Equipment

  • Paper towels
  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Oven-safe baking dish
  • Oven

Method
 

Cooking Steps
  1. Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels, then season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat, then sauté the diced shallot for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent, adding minced garlic for another minute until fragrant.
  3. Pour in coconut milk, broth, and lemon juice, bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low and stir in lemon zest. Optionally, whisk cornstarch with cold water and slowly add it to the sauce to thicken it for 1-2 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning.
  4. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease an oven-safe baking dish.
  5. Place the seasoned cod fillets into the prepared baking dish and pour the warm coconut lemon cream sauce evenly over the fish.
  6. Bake for 12-18 minutes, until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  7. Remove the dish from the oven, garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, and serve immediately.

Notes

For a richer flavor, you can briefly sear the cod fillets for 1-2 minutes per side before baking, though this is optional. This dish pairs wonderfully with steamed rice or roasted vegetables.