Oven-Baked Fish (with Lemon)
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Making dinner during the week can be such a hassle when there’s so much going on. I love that I can walk in the door, season some white fish with lemon and butter, and bake it while I handle other things.
A delicious weeknight winner that is as delicious as it is easy, this Oven Baked Fish Recipe gets dinner on the table fast!
Combining simple flavors that pack a punch, this one will be your go-to forever!
This method is foolproof, and dinner’s on the table in 15 to 20 minutes — a lifesaver on busy nights when we need something fast. Plus, it keeps us away from takeout or the drive-through. Fish is such a healthy protein, and baking it with lemon-butter sauce ensures it’s tender, flaky, and full of flavor. White wine pairs perfectly, too – in case you were wondering!
If you’re into fish dinners, try my Balsamic Glazed Salmon. If you are just into the lemon flavor, you’ll love my Lemon Butter Chicken, too! Want something made on the stovetop in 15 minutes? Try my 15 Minute Blackened Tilapia (it’s a game changer).
Step-by-step photos and instructions are below. Jump to the recipe card if you wish!
Why you’ll love this
- Dinner on the table happens FAST!
- Delicious. Baked fish with a little lemon butter sauce cannot be beaten!
- Easy to make. Just season up your fish with seasoned salt and pepper (plus a little garlic and onion powder, and bake it. Done!
What kind of fish is easy to bake?
I like halibut and cod because they are nice and thick, but tilapia also tastes amazing when cooked this way. Tilapia will take less time in the oven because it is a thinner filet. You could be eating within 15 minutes with tilapia! See below for more tips and tricks.
What is the best temperature to bake fish in the oven?
I always opt for 350°F to ensure the fish is cooked through, and doesn’t burn on the outside before the inside is perfect.
How do you know when your fish is cooked properly?
Cooking time will vary based on the thickness of your fish fillets, but if you can flake it with a fork and it’s opaque and not translucent, you’re good!
A good rule of thumb for this is to allow 6-8 minutes per 8oz of fish. OR, you could go with 10 minutes per inch of thickness depending on the type of fish used.
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Always go for less vs more and check it. Underdone fish can be fixed, but overdone fish is ruined! We are so not into dry fish around here.
Step-by-step photos and tips and tricks are below. Jump to the full recipe card instead
Key Recipe Ingredients
Note: This highlights some ingredients. Full list is in the recipe card.
How to bake fish in the oven:
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This next part is only a photo tutorial of the recipe steps. The full list of ingredients, quantities and instructions can be found in the printable recipe card below.
Get prepped
Combine the seasonings in a small bowl, and spray a baking dish with cooking spray, or grease with olive oil (I use extra virgin, but any oil will work for this purpose).
For the Fish
Place fish in a greased baking dish and sprinkle with the seasoning mix.
Grate a little lemon zest over the top of the fish and squeeze some lemon juice over the top of each fillet.
Drizzle the fish evenly with butter.
Grate parmesan over the top.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees F for 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. (Definitely check at 15 minutes – cook time will totally depend on the thickness of your fish).
To Serve
Serve with extra lemon butter from the baking pan. Sprinkle with parsley and extra parmesan if desired. Devour.
Kylee’s Notes
If you don’t have a baking dish, you can use a baking sheet (that has a rim on it) instead.
Throw your used lemons into the baking dish while the fish bakes, or slice it up and place on top of the fish.
You could combine the melted butter, lemon zest and seasonings and just pour it over the top if you prefer. I like the seasonings to kind of stick to the fish, but it’s entirely up to you.
If you do go that route, a little white wine in the mix never hurt anyone either!
What to serve with Oven Baked Fish
Aside from sprinkling with parsley and adding some lemon wedges, I like this fresh green bean recipe, as well as some kind of starch. You’ll love these honey mustard roasted potatoes or my favorite mashed potato recipe.
Substitutions/Additions
You can leave out the garlic and onion powder and simply season with salt and pepper.
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Oven-Baked Fish (with Lemon)
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoons seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ¼ teaspoons black pepper to taste
- 1½ pound fish fillets
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
Instructions
Prep
- Combine the ½ teaspoons seasoned salt, ½ teaspoons garlic powder, ½ teaspoons onion powder, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and ¼ teaspoons black pepper, in a small bowl.
- Spray a baking dish with cooking spray, or grease with olive oil
For the Fish
- Place 1½ pound fish fillets in a greased baking dish and sprinkle with the seasoning mix.
- Grate lemon zest over the top of the fish.
- Drizzle with 3 tablespoons butter.
- Grate ¼ cup parmesan cheese over the top.
- Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.
To Serve
- Serve with extra lemon butter from the baking pan.
- Sprinkle with parsley and extra parmesan if desired.
- Devour.
Video
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Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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About Kylee Ayotte
I am a born and raised New Zealander (a Kiwi), now living in Phoenix, Arizona. I’m happily married to the love of my life – a hot American boy I met while traveling the world. I’m a mama to 2 awesome little boys and love red things, rugby, cheesecake, and bacon. Mmmmm. Bacon. Meet Kylee
from one ex-pat Kiwi to another , thanks for the recipe, I’ve made it several times!! Love it each time I make it!
As Kiwis’ do I’ve put my own spin on it to suit our tastes!
Cheers
awesome we cooked cobia
Lemon 🍋 fish
excellent, thank you we will be having it more often.
It was so good