Baked Cod in Coconut Lemon Cream Sauce – Light, Creamy & Full of Flavor
This Baked Cod in Coconut Lemon Cream Sauce is a light yet luxurious seafood dish! Tender cod fillets are baked to perfection and topped with a silky coconut milk sauce infused with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. It’s dairy-free, easy to make, and perfect for weeknight dinners or elegant entertaining.
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 25 minutes mins
Course Baked Cod in Coconut Lemon Cream Sauce, Optional sides: Jasmine rice, couscous, sautéed greens, mango slaw
Cuisine Fusion: Caribbean & Southeast Asian
Servings 4
Calories 320 kcal
- 4 cod fillets (6 oz each, fresh or thawed)
- 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
- ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp dried basil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
In a bowl, whisk together coconut milk, cream, lemon juice, zest, garlic, ginger, olive oil, soy sauce, thyme, and basil.
Pat cod fillets dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.
Arrange fillets in the baking dish and pour sauce over them.
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until cod flakes easily with a fork.
Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
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Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
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Spicy Variation: Add chili flakes or jalapeños to the sauce.
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Citrus Swap: Lime juice and zest offer a sharper tropical flavor.
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Fish Substitutes: Haddock, halibut, or tilapia work well.
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Serving Ideas: Pair with rice, quinoa, or roasted vegetables.
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Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
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Reheating: Warm gently in oven or microwave with a splash of coconut milk.
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Avoid Freezing: Sauce may separate once baked.
Keyword Baked cod, Caribbean-inspired, coconut lemon sauce, dairy-free option, Gluten-Free, Seafood, tropical fish recipe, weeknight dinner