Zesty Baked Cod with Orange Beurre Blanc Recipe: Elegant Simplicity

Fresh ocean catches find their perfect partner in this baked cod with orange beurre blanc.

Soft, delicate fish meets a silky sauce bursting with citrus brightness.

Mediterranean influences dance across your plate with each elegant bite.

Bright orange notes complement the mild, flaky cod in ways that surprise and delight.

Weeknight dinners can suddenly feel like sophisticated restaurant experiences with this simple yet impressive recipe.

Professional chefs might guard such techniques, but now you can master this stunning dish at home.

Let’s unlock the secrets of creating restaurant-quality seafood that will make everyone at your table beam with anticipation.

Why Baked Cod With Orange Sauce Feels Fancy And Easy

• Elevate Home Cooking: Transform a simple cod dish into a restaurant-quality meal with minimal culinary skills, making gourmet dining accessible for home cooks.
• Quick Gourmet Solution: Prepare an impressive seafood dinner in less than half an hour, perfect for busy weeknights or spontaneous elegant meals.
• Flavor Explosion: Combine the delicate texture of baked cod with a vibrant orange beurre blanc sauce, creating a harmonious balance of rich buttery and bright citrus notes.
• Versatile Dining Experience: Suitable for intimate dinners, special occasions, or when you want to impress guests with a sophisticated yet straightforward seafood entree.

What You Need For Baked Cod With Orange Beurre Blanc

• Cod Fillets: Fresh and delicate white fish that offers a mild, subtle flavor perfect for this elegant dish.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the natural taste of the cod.
• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds a light, smooth coating to the fish.

• White Wine: Provides an acidic base that helps create depth in the beurre blanc sauce.
• Shallots: Adds a mild, sweet onion-like flavor to the sauce.
• Orange Juice: Brings bright, citrusy notes to the sauce.
• Cold Butter: Creates a rich, smooth, and velvety texture for the beurre blanc.
• Orange Zest: Intensifies the orange flavor and adds aromatic complexity.

• Fresh Parsley, Orange Slices: Adds visual appeal and a fresh, bright finish to the dish.

How To Make Baked Cod With Orange Beurre Blanc

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Baking Surface

Warm up your oven to a toasty 400°F. Grab a baking dish and give it a light coating of olive oil to keep the delicate cod from sticking.

Step 2: Season the Fish

Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over both sides of the cod fillets. Make sure every inch gets some love from the seasoning.

Step 3: Position the Cod

Gently place the seasoned fillets into the oiled baking dish. Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the top to help create a golden, moisture-locked crust.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Slide the dish into the oven and let the cod bake for 12-15 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the fish turns opaque and breaks apart effortlessly with a fork.

Step 5: Craft the Citrus Sauce Base

• White wine
• Minced shallots
• Orange juice

Bring this mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, letting it reduce by half (about 5-7 minutes).

Step 6: Create Silky Sauce

Slowly whisk in cold butter pieces, creating a luxuriously smooth and glossy sauce. The key is to add butter gradually to achieve that perfect emulsion.

Step 7: Enhance with Zest

Stir in fresh orange zest to pump up the citrusy brightness of your sauce.

Step 8: Rest the Fish

Once out of the oven, let the cod rest for 2-3 minutes. This helps the fish retain its juicy texture.

Step 9: Plate and Sauce

Transfer the cod to serving plates. Generously drizzle the warm orange beurre blanc sauce over the top.

Step 10: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and add a few orange slices for a pop of color and extra flavor. Serve immediately while the fish is hot and the sauce is warm.

Tips For Perfect Baked Cod With Citrus Sauce

• Select Fresh Cod: Choose high-quality, firm white fish fillets without any strong fishy odor for the best flavor and texture.
• Prevent Overcooking: Watch the fish carefully during baking, as cod can quickly become dry and tough if left in the oven too long.
• Temperature Matters: Use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the cod reaches 145°F for perfect doneness.
• Butter Sauce Technique: Add cold butter gradually and whisk constantly to create a smooth, silky orange beurre blanc without breaking the emulsion.
• Zest Enhancement: Grate orange zest just before adding to the sauce to preserve the most vibrant citrus oils and maximize flavor intensity.

Tasty Twists On Baked Cod With Orange Flavor

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace olive oil with herb-infused olive oil and add dried oregano, thyme, and basil to the cod before baking for a Mediterranean flair.
• Spicy Citrus Kick: Incorporate red pepper flakes and lime zest into the beurre blanc sauce, creating a zesty and slightly spicy version of the original recipe.
• Asian-Inspired Glaze: Substitute white wine with rice vinegar and add soy sauce, ginger, and a touch of honey to transform the beurre blanc into an Asian-inspired glaze.
• Coconut Curry Variation: Mix coconut milk into the sauce, add mild curry powder to the fish seasoning, and garnish with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical interpretation.

Pairings That Go Well With Baked Cod

• Pair with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Select a chilled New Zealand or French Sauvignon Blanc to complement the delicate cod and bright citrus notes of the orange beurre blanc sauce.
• Serve with Roasted Asparagus: Create a simple roasted asparagus side dish seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper to provide a green vegetable accompaniment that enhances the fish's delicate flavor.
• Match with Herbed Quinoa Pilaf: Prepare a light quinoa pilaf with fresh herbs like parsley and chives to add texture and provide a nutritious base that absorbs the rich orange beurre blanc sauce.

How To Store Baked Cod With Orange Beurre Blanc

• Store leftover cod in an airtight container, placing it in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Keep the fish separate from the sauce to maintain its texture and prevent sogginess.
• Allow the cod to reach room temperature before refrigerating, which helps prevent bacterial growth and preserves the fish's delicate flavor.
• Enjoy refrigerated cod within 1-2 days for the best taste and quality. Reheat gently in the oven at 275°F to prevent overcooking and drying out the fish.
• Keep the orange beurre blanc sauce in a separate sealed container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat the sauce in a saucepan over low heat, whisking constantly to prevent separation.

FAQs On Baked Cod With Orange Sauce Answered

• Why use white wine in the beurre blanc sauce?

White wine adds depth and acidity, helping to balance the richness of the butter and enhance the overall flavor profile of the sauce.

• Can I substitute cod with another fish?

Yes, you can use other mild white fish like halibut, tilapia, or sea bass, which have similar texture and will work well with the orange beurre blanc sauce.

• How do I know when the cod is perfectly cooked?

The cod is done when it turns opaque and easily flakes with a fork, which typically takes 12-15 minutes at 400°F. Overcooking will make the fish dry and tough.

• Is it important to use cold butter when making the sauce?

Yes, adding cold butter in small pieces helps create a smooth, emulsified sauce and prevents the sauce from breaking or becoming greasy.

Baked Cod with Orange Beurre Blanc Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty baked cod with orange beurre blanc brings Mediterranean coastal flavors to your dinner table. Delicate fish meets silky citrus sauce, creating a luxurious meal that promises restaurant-quality elegance you can easily craft at home.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Seafood:

• 4 fillets cod
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
• 2 tbsp shallots, minced
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold
• 1 tbsp orange zest

Garnish and Seasoning:

• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 orange, sliced
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and prepare a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
2. Season cod fillets with salt and pepper, ensuring even coverage on both sides.
3. Place seasoned cod in the prepared baking dish and drizzle with olive oil.
4. Bake the fish for 12-15 minutes until it becomes opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
5. While the fish bakes, prepare the orange beurre blanc sauce by combining white wine, minced shallots, and orange juice in a saucepan.
6. Simmer the liquid mixture over medium heat until reduced by half, approximately 5-7 minutes.
7. Gradually whisk in cold butter pieces, creating a smooth and emulsified sauce.
8. Stir in orange zest to enhance the citrus flavor of the sauce.
9. Remove cod from the oven and let it rest for 2-3 minutes.
10. Transfer the fish to serving plates and generously drizzle with the warm orange beurre blanc sauce.
11. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and orange slices for added visual appeal and brightness.
12. Serve immediately to enjoy the delicate fish and rich, tangy sauce.

Notes

• Ensure cod is fresh and of high quality for the best flavor and texture.
• Pat fish dry before seasoning to achieve a crispy exterior and prevent steaming.
• Use room temperature butter for smoother and faster sauce emulsification.
• Adjust baking time based on thickness of cod fillets to prevent overcooking.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 300mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 5g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 80mg