Baked Fish Fillet Lemon (Printable)

Tender white fish baked with lemon, garlic, and herbs for a light, flavorful, and healthy dish.

# What's Needed:

→ Fish

01 - 4 skinless, boneless white fish fillets (approximately 5 oz each, such as cod, haddock, or tilapia)

→ Marinade & Seasoning

02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large lemon, thinly sliced
04 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
05 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ Optional

10 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking dish with parchment paper or lightly grease it with olive oil.
02 - Place the fish fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Combine olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and oregano or thyme in a small bowl and whisk until well mixed.
04 - Drizzle the marinade evenly over the fish fillets.
05 - Place lemon slices on top of each fillet, ensuring even coverage.
06 - Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes, until the fish becomes opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Remove from the oven, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately with optional lemon wedges.

# Tips for Success:

01 -
  • Your fish comes out impossibly tender and never dry because the lemon juice steams it from within while protecting delicate flesh.
  • The whole thing takes less time than ordering delivery but tastes like you spent your afternoon cooking.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and works for almost any diet without feeling like you're eating a restriction.
02 -
  • Don't bake longer than 18 minutes unless your fillets are unusually thick, because overcooked fish becomes dry and no amount of lemon can fix that.
  • Pat your fish completely dry before cooking so the marinade actually coats it instead of sliding off a wet surface.
  • The fish continues cooking slightly after you remove it from the oven, so pull it out the moment it flakes easily rather than waiting for it to look fully opaque.
03 -
  • Save every drop of liquid from the baking dish and drizzle it over your finished plate because that's concentrated flavor and liquid gold for any side dishes.
  • If you're cooking for guests, assemble everything before they arrive and just pop it in the oven when you're ready to eat, which makes you look effortlessly prepared.
  • Lemon slices can be made thinner if you want more delicate flavor distribution, or thicker if you love biting into soft cooked citrus with the fish.

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