comfort

Lemon Herb Baked White Fish

Name: Lemon Herb Baked White Fish
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 22 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 unit white fish fillets; 3 unit garlic cloves; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2 tbsp butter; 1 unit lemon; 0.5 tsp salt; 1 pinch black pepper

When you want a healthy, high-protein dinner without the hassle of heavy prep.

Total: 22 min
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 12 min
Serves: 2
Difficulty: easy
Calories: 225
Cost: $$/serving

Let's be honest: some days, the last thing you want to do is stand over a hot stove for an hour. This baked fish is your 'I need a win' meal. It uses simple aromatics like lemon and garlic to create a sophisticated flavor profile while doing all the heavy lifting in the oven. It’s incredibly fast, relies on few ingredients, and yields a flaky, buttery texture that feels much more special than it actually was to make. Perfect for those nights when you're exhausted but still want something nourishing.

Ingredients

2 unit white fish fillets — Cod, tilapia, or halibut work beautifully
3 unit garlic cloves — minced
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tbsp butter — melted
1 unit lemon — half sliced into rounds, half for juice
0.5 tsp salt — to taste
1 pinch black pepper

Method

1 Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a small baking dish.
2 In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and black pepper.
3 Place the fish fillets in the baking dish. Brush the butter mixture evenly over each fillet.
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4 Top each piece of fish with lemon slices and a pinch of extra herbs if desired.
5 Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
6 Squeeze the remaining half of the lemon over the fish before serving.

Variations

Vegetarian Swap — Replace the fish with thick slices of cauliflower steak brushed with the same herb butter.
Extra Zesty — Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a subtle kick of heat.

Notes

If you want to add some bulk, serve this with steamed green beans or a quick side of couscous. The fish cooks very fast; keep an eye on it after 10 minutes so it doesn't dry out.

Equipment that helps

Baking Dish — Allows you to cook the fish and aromatics together in one vessel for easy cleanup.
Small Mixing Bowl — Makes it easy to whisk your butter and spices before applying them to the fish.