Delicious Grilled Cod in Foil with Zesty Lemon Butter Sauce: Your Easy & Healthy Summer Meal

Perfectly tender, flaky grilled cod cooked in foil with a light, vibrant lemon butter sauce! This super easy summer recipe is a game-changer for weeknight dinners and outdoor entertaining alike. Say goodbye to dry, overcooked fish and hello to succulent, flavor-packed fillets that require minimal effort and even less cleanup. Serve this exquisite seafood alongside your favorite grilled veggies or a fresh salad for a light, refreshing, and utterly satisfying meal that’s sure to impress.

Why This Grilled Cod Recipe is a Must-Try

There are countless reasons why this grilled cod in foil recipe will become a staple in your culinary repertoire. From its incredible ease to its fantastic health benefits, it ticks all the boxes for a perfect meal. If you’re looking for a fuss-free way to enjoy fresh fish, this method truly shines.

• The Grill Does All the Hard Work (and Cleanup)! This recipe is a testament to the magic of foil packet grilling. Simply season your fresh cod fillets, generously coat them in the tantalizing lemon butter sauce, wrap them snugly in foil, and set them on the grill. Close your grill lid, relax for about 10 minutes, and return to perfectly cooked, moist, and flaky fish. The foil locks in all the moisture and flavor, ensuring your cod is tender every single time. Plus, the foil packets mean virtually no messy grill grates to scrub afterwards – just toss the foil and enjoy! This hands-off approach makes it ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re hosting a backyard barbecue and want to minimize kitchen time.
• It includes a simple, yet irresistibly delicious lemon butter sauce. Lemon, garlic, and butter is all you’ll need to give this grilled cod in foil tons of flavor. This classic combination is renowned for a reason: the bright acidity of the lemon cuts through the richness of the butter, while the aromatic garlic adds a depth that beautifully complements the mildness of the cod. The sauce infuses into every flake of the fish as it steams in its foil packet, creating an aromatic and flavorful experience that’s both light and incredibly satisfying. You’ll be amazed at how such few ingredients can produce such profound taste.
• It’s super healthy! This easy seafood recipe is naturally low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly. Cod is an excellent source of lean protein, providing essential amino acids crucial for muscle repair and growth, without a lot of saturated fat. It’s also packed with important vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, phosphorus, and selenium, contributing to overall well-being. By grilling it in foil, you’re cooking with minimal added fat, further enhancing its healthy profile. For those adhering to specific dietary restrictions, this recipe effortlessly fits into a low-carb, gluten-free, or ketogenic lifestyle, making it a guilt-free pleasure.
• Versatility for Any Occasion: While perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this grilled cod also shines as a center-piece for summer gatherings. Its elegant presentation, combined with the ease of preparation, allows you to spend more time with your guests and less time slaving over a hot stove. It’s light enough to serve as part of a larger meal, yet flavorful enough to stand on its own.

Choosing Your Cod Fillets for Grilling Perfection

The quality of your cod can make all the difference in this recipe. When selecting your fish, whether from the local fishmonger or supermarket, keep a few key tips in mind to ensure the freshest, most flavorful outcome:

• Fresh vs. Frozen: Fresh cod should have a clean, mild ocean smell, not “fishy.” Look for firm, translucent flesh with a bright, moist appearance. If buying frozen, opt for individually quick-frozen (IQF) fillets to minimize ice crystals and thaw them properly in the refrigerator overnight.
• Type of Cod: Both Atlantic and Pacific cod work wonderfully. Atlantic cod tends to be slightly milder and flakier, while Pacific cod can be a bit firmer. Both absorb flavors beautifully.
• Fillet Thickness: Aim for fillets that are relatively uniform in thickness (around 1-inch thick is ideal) to ensure even cooking. If you have thicker pieces, they might require a minute or two more on the grill. Thinner pieces will cook faster.
• Sustainability: Where possible, choose sustainably sourced cod. Look for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label.

The Genius of Foil Packet Grilling for Fish

Cooking fish in foil packets on the grill is more than just convenient; it’s a technique that guarantees perfectly cooked, moist, and flavorful results every time. Here’s why this method is a game-changer for seafood:

• Locks in Moisture and Flavor: The foil creates a sealed environment, essentially steaming the fish and its accompanying sauce and seasonings. This prevents the delicate cod from drying out, keeping it incredibly moist and flaky. All the delicious lemon butter sauce and herb flavors are concentrated within the packet, infusing deeply into the fish.
• Even Cooking: The contained heat within the foil packet ensures that the fish cooks evenly from all sides, reducing the risk of overcooked edges and an undercooked center. This consistency is especially important for fish.
• No Stick, Easy Cleanup: One of the biggest advantages is preventing the fish from sticking to the grill grates, a common challenge when grilling delicate fillets directly. The foil acts as a barrier, and once cooked, you simply discard the foil, leaving your grill clean and your serving dishes minimal.
• Infusion of Aromatics: The tight seal of the foil packet allows the aromas from the lemon, garlic, and any other herbs or vegetables you add to circulate and deeply penetrate the cod, creating a more intensely flavored dish.
• Versatility: Foil packets aren’t just for cod. You can cook a variety of fish and even add vegetables directly into the packet with the fish for a complete, one-packet meal.

Expert Tips for Flawless Grilled Cod

Even though this recipe is incredibly straightforward, a few expert tips can elevate your grilled cod from great to absolutely unforgettable. Paying attention to these details will ensure a perfect dish every time you fire up the grill.

• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your cod fillets, in order to ensure they’re cooked all the way through! Once the thermometer reads 145° Fahrenheit, the fish is fully cooked and ready to eat. This is crucial for both food safety and achieving that desired flaky texture. Overcooking cod, even by a few degrees, can result in dry, rubbery fish, while undercooked fish is unsafe and unappetizing. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the fillet for an accurate reading.
• Dress up this grilled cod in foil recipe however you’d like! Sprinkle on your favorite herbs and/or seasonings. This white, flaky fish is the perfect blank canvas for whatever flavors you’d like to explore. Consider adding fresh dill, parsley (as suggested), chives, or a sprinkle of dried Italian seasoning. For a bit of heat, a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika would be wonderful. You could also add thin slices of onion, a few capers, or even some small cherry tomatoes into the foil packet for extra flavor and moisture.
• Throw some veggies on the grill while the cod cooks! Grilled broccoli, eggplant, or brussels sprouts would all make the perfect side to this healthy meal. Other fantastic options include asparagus, bell peppers, zucchini, or even corn on the cob wrapped in foil. You can either cook these alongside the cod in separate foil packets or directly on the grill grates if they are hearty enough. This creates a cohesive, delicious, and healthy meal all cooked in one place.
• Don’t Forget to Pat Dry: Before seasoning, pat your cod fillets thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps the seasoning adhere better and prevents the fish from steaming excessively in its own moisture, ensuring a better texture.
• Indirect Heat is Key: While the recipe specifies cooking over indirect heat, it’s worth emphasizing. Direct, high heat can cause the foil to burn and the fish to cook too quickly on the outside before the inside is done. Indirect heat ensures a gentler, more even cook.

More Delicious Seafood Inspirations

If you’re a fan of fresh, healthy, and flavorful seafood, exploring beyond cod can open up a world of culinary delights. Here are some other fantastic fish and seafood recipes from our sister sites that you might enjoy, perfect for expanding your repertoire or trying something new after mastering this grilled cod:

• Shrimp and Corn Soup
• Creamy Dill Sauce for Salmon
• Easy Salmon Patties and Lemon Garlic Sauce
• Grilled Mahi Mahi
• Creamy Fish Chowder

There you have it – a simple yet incredibly flavorful way to enjoy perfectly grilled cod in foil. This recipe proves that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. With minimal effort, you can create a restaurant-quality meal right in your backyard. The tender, flaky fish, infused with the bright zest of lemon and rich garlic butter, is a truly delightful experience. Whether you’re a seasoned griller or new to cooking fish, this foolproof method will yield delicious results every single time. So, fire up your grill this summer, gather your ingredients, and get ready to savor the taste of an effortlessly elegant meal. Don’t forget to share your creations with us!