Baked Lemon Cod with Garlic Asparagus (Your 25-Minute Sheet Pan Dinner)

Written by: Lian Liu, MPH, RD, CDCES | Specializing in Cardiac & Menopause Nutrition. Reviewed and updated: June 2026.

Cod is an underrated hero in the cardiac recovery kitchen. It's lean, mild, inexpensive, and takes on whatever flavors you put around it. Baked in a simple lemon-garlic bath with asparagus on the same pan, it transforms into something that tastes far more impressive than the effort required.

Quick Recipe Overview:

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Servings: 2
• Sodium: 110 mg per serving

Your Quick Takeaways:

• Cod is an excellent source of lean protein with virtually zero saturated fat.
• Asparagus is one of the highest food sources of Vitamin K and folate.
• The entire recipe requires under 15 minutes of active cooking.

The Recipe (2 Servings)

Ingredients:

• 2 Atlantic cod fillets (approx 6 oz each) (204mg)
• 1 bunch thin asparagus, woody ends trimmed (10mg)
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (0mg)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (2mg)
• 1 tsp dried dill or 1 tbsp fresh (0mg)
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (0mg)
• Juice and zest of 1 large lemon (0mg)
• Cracked black pepper (0mg)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the marinade: Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, thyme, paprika, and black pepper.
3. Arrange the asparagus in a single layer on one half of the pan. Drizzle with 1 tbsp of the olive oil mixture and toss to coat.
4. Place the cod fillets on the other half of the pan. Spoon the remaining marinade over the top.
5. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the cod flakes easily with a fork and asparagus is tender with slightly crispy tips.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra lemon wedges.

Swap Ideas

• No cod? Try tilapia, haddock, or halibut. Same technique works.
• No asparagus? Broccolini, green beans, or sliced zucchini work beautifully.
• Add a grain: Serve over pre-cooked quinoa or brown rice to complete the meal.

Why Cod is a Cardiac Comeback Protein

Unlike many protein sources, cod is almost fat-free (less than 1g per serving) and rich in:

• B12: Essential for nerve and heart health.
• Phosphorus & Selenium: Minerals that support heart rhythm regulation.
• Iodine: Supports thyroid function, which directly impacts heart rate.

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🛒 Recommended Tools for a Healthy Heart

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