20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (2024)

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Last updated February 16, 2024

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These best cod recipes will please everyone around the table! Here are easy and healthy ways to make this fish taste exciting.

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (1)

We admit, “We’re having cod for dinner!” doesn’t have the sexiest ring to it. But here’s the thing. Cod has a mild, pure flavor that’s not fishy at all: it’s even milder than salmon! Because of its approachable flavor, cod is a great starter fish for people who don’t think they like fish. Bake it coated in spices forFish Tacos, or fry it and top it with crunchy coleslaw as a Fish Sandwich.

Here are all the best healthy cod recipes to make this versatile fish please everyone around the table! Along with recipes from this website, we’ve got recipes from experts Jocelyn Delk Adams ofGrandbaby Cakes, Imma Adamu of Immaculate Bites, Gina hom*olka of Skinnytaste, and Jessica Merchant of How Sweet Eats.

And now…cod recipes everyone will love!

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (2)

Pan Fried Cod

Here’s a healthy cod recipe that’s full of surprises:pan fried cod! Cod is a beautifully mild and buttery-flavored fish and this preparation couldn’t be easier or more stunning. Coat it in paprika and a few other spices, then pan fry it until tender and juicy. It takes under 10 minutes to get restaurant-quality flavor! Serve it with the pan juices drizzled over the top and well…you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this one.

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (3)

Baked Cod with Lemon

Looking for a home-run weeknight dinner? Try this incredibleBaked Cod! We’ll admit, cod wasn’t always a fish on our radar. But this fish is truly special. It’s mild, tender, and buttery in flavor. The best part? It’s swimming in a zesty lemon garlic sauce that makes you want another bite before you’ve finished chewing.

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (4)

Quick Cod Fish Tacos

Meet these quickCod Fish Tacos! Crust the cod in spices and throw it in the oven. Then whip up a creamy taco sauce while the fish bakes. Add crunchy vegetable garnishes and it’s a meal! This one is bursting with flavor.

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (5)

Perfect Grilled Cod

Here’s the a cod recipe you didn’t know you needed:Perfect Grilled Cod! This fish is bursting with flavor and one of our favorite things to come off of the grill this season. Perhaps grilled cod doesn’t sound like something to wax poetic about. But cover it inhomemade blackened seasoningand it’s got massive savory and smoky notes, with a hint of underlying intrigue from cloves and allspice.

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (6)

Photo Credit:www.howsweeteats.com

Spicy Fish Taco Bowls with Mango Pico

Here's a fun spin on fish tacos...fish taco bowls! These tasty bowls are a burst of flavor, with tender baked fish and sweet and spicy mango pico de gallo. Top it all off with a chipotle crema drizzle, and you won't be able to stop taking bites.

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Photo Credit:www.howsweeteats.com

Crispy Fish Sandwiches with Kale Coleslaw

Crispy, beer battered fish meets crunchy, creamy kale coleslaw in this incredible cod recipe! There's nothing more satisfying than perfectly beer-battered fried fish. Top with with a super creamy, tangy coleslaw and it makes the cod absolutely irresistible. via How Sweet Eats

This cod recipe pairs spicy Cajun seasonings with juicy blood oranges, lots of cabbage slaw, and tons of lime. An easy healthy dinner idea, it comes together in just 30 minutes: perfect for weeknights or impressing dinner guests. Via How Sweet Eats

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Photo Credit:grandbaby-cakes.com

Lemon Panko Crusted Cod

A classic way to cook cod? Crust it with breadcrumbs! This cod recipe features a crunchy panko coating with bright lemon zest. It's a perfect healthy meal idea for weeknights. via Grandbaby Cakes

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (10)

Photo Credit:grandbaby-cakes.com

Authentic Moqueca (Brazilian Fish Stew)

This Moqueca (Brazilian Fish Stew) is savory and comforting with cod, creamy coconut, tomatoes, lime and spiced peri peri seasoning. The stew, called Moqueca Baiana, originates from the Bahia state of Brazil, the heart of the African descended population in Brazil. Recipe by Global Kitchen Travels via Grandbaby Cakes

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (11)

Photo Credit:grandbaby-cakes.com

Crispy Baked Fish Sticks

Cod is one of the traditional white fish used in a classic comfort food recipe: Fish Sticks! These homemade baked fish sticks come out with a crunchy and flavorful coating that wraps the tender fish. via Grandbaby Cakes

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (12)

Photo Credit:www.africanbites.com

Beer Battered Cod

Another classic way to cook cod? Beer battered! Dust and dip the fish in a well-seasoned flour and beer batter, then fry it until golden perfection. It's light and crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside! via Immaculate Bites

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (13)

Photo Credit:www.africanbites.com

Fish and Chips

Another classic fried cod recipe? Fish and chips! Try this tender cod fillet, encased in a light and mellow beer batter served with crisp homemade fries. via Immaculate Bites

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (14)

Photo Credit:www.skinnytaste.com

Skillet Cajun Spiced Cod with Tomatoes

This easy cod recipe requires just 7 ingredients and comes together in 25 minutes! Cajun spices, tomatoes, onions and peppers give any white fish pizazz and a little kick, and cod is the perfect option here. via Skinny Taste

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (15)

Photo Credit:www.skinnytaste.com

Greek Tzatziki Fish Tacos

Last up: a fusion fish taco! Try these Greek Tzatziki Fish Tacos, tacos with a Mediterranean flair. These crisp breaded fish filletsare topped with tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumbers and fresh herbs. via Skinny Taste

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Photo Credit:www.skinnytaste.com

Cod Florentine

Last up: a way to make cod taste creamy and dreamy: Fish Florentine! This healthy spin on on the chicken version might taste even better. Serve pan seared cod on a creamy bed of spinach: it tastes restaurant style in just 20 minutes. via Skinny Taste

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Photo Credit:themodernproper.com

Cod & Potatoes in Rosemary Cream Sauce

There’s something about cod baked in an herbed cream sauce that feels like a meal you would order at a restaurant. It's just as easy to make at home! Try this simple recipe for an irresistibly delicious crowd pleaser. via Modern Proper

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Photo Credit:recipesfromapantry.com

Air Fryer Cod

Got an air fryer? Make this easy cod recipe seasoned with olive oil, onion powder and parsley. Seafood lovers will adore this way to cook cod and it's ready to serve in just a few minutes! via Recipes from a Pantry

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Photo Credit:themodernproper.com

Baked Cod with Parsley Olive Tapenade

Bake up a tender fillet of cod and add tapenade for the best zippy, briny flavor! The buttery, flakey, mild but hearty fish is the perfect canvas for this olive-based sauce. Say goodbye to boring and plain fish recipes and hello to your new, simple oven baked cod recipe. via The Modern Proper

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Photo Credit:themodernproper.com

Fish Puttanesca

Puttanesca sauce is not just for pasta! This briny, savory, easy white fish puttanesca recipe is so gorgeous and delicious, you’d never guess that it only takes about 30 minutes to make. It works with any white fish, but cod is one of the best. via The Modern Proper

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Photo Credit:themodernproper.com

Macadamia Nut Crusted Fish Bowl

Last up in our cod recipes: this rice bowl with macadamia nut crusted cod! There's nothing like a good rice bowl, and this one has a few flavor secrets. Once you make this coconut macadamia nut crusted fish, you’ll be hooked! via The Modern Proper

More of the best healthy fish recipes

Love eating seafood? Us too. Here are a few more resources for healthy and easy fish recipes:

  • Try 30 Easy Seafood Recipes
  • Opt for 25 Easy Fish Recipes or 10 Grilled Fish Recipes to Try This Season
  • Go for 30 Shrimp Recipes Perfect for Dinner or 15 Healthy Shrimp Recipes
  • Mix up 17 Tuna Recipes for Easy Meals or 15 Easy Salmon Recipes
  • Try 12 Easy Scallop Recipes

01

45 Easy Shrimp Recipes

02

50 Easy Seafood Recipes

03

12 Easy Scallop Recipes

04

20 Tuna Recipes for Easy Meals

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20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (26)

Easy Pan Fried Cod (& More Recipes!)

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5 from 5 reviews

  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 7 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This pan fried cod is the best white fish you’ll have! Flavored simply with spices and olive oil, it’s healthy, stunning and irresistible all at once.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 1/2 pounds cod (4 fillets)
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (also called pimentón)*
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon celery seed
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon butter (or olive oil, for dairy-free)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Finely chopped Italian parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, celery seed, and kosher salt. Pat the cod dry and sprinkle all sides with the seasoning.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat and add the butter and olive oil. When butter is melted, add the cod and cook for 2 minutes.
  3. Flip the cod and pour the lemon juice over the fish. Cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes until the cod is tender and starts to flake when you prick it with a fork (adjust based on the thickness of the fillets). Remove from the heat and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve immediately, drizzled with the sauce.

Notes

*If you can’t find it, you can use sweet paprika. But smoked paprika brings the best flavor with a hint of smokiness.

  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Seafood
  • Diet: Gluten Free

seafood

Published on / Last updated on

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About the authors

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (27)

Sonja & Alex

Hi, we’re Alex and Sonja Overhiser, married cookbook authors, food bloggers, and recipe developers. We founded A Couple Cooks to share fresh, seasonal recipes and the joy of cooking! Our recipes are made by two real people and work every time.

About Us

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7 Comments

  1. Made this tonight and we both raved at how good it was!!!

    Reply

  2. Amazing super fast dinner. Paired with blanched asparagus and carrots. A win for my picky 18 year old. “Next time you make that, can you make more”….

    Reply

  3. Hi, I tried the cod fish recipe tonight and I am so glad I did. I was perfect in every way. It was a very fast prep, cooked in 10 minutes and one pan. We had mash potatoes and I did fry an onion in the pan after I took the fish out. I would tell anyone to try this, it was delicious!

    Reply

    1. So glad you enjoyed!

      Reply

  4. hi Sonja & Alex
    I’ve always liked to experiment with fish recipes.
    But I find that most of the recipes for cod are lemon. Why is that?

    Reply

    1. They complement each other. Cod doesn’t have a strong, bright, fresh flavor but lemon does. Lemon is both a light and bright without overpowering the qualities of the fish.

      Another herb, spice, or vegetable (dill, cayenne, tomato, etc.) might go well with it, but overpower it as the main ingredient.

      Lemon also has a way of removing unpleasant odors (use to wash hands after touching garlic or onions) so it maybe also makes fish taste less “fishy”.

      Reply

  5. Let us know if you have any questions!

    Reply

20 Reasons to Make Cod for Dinner Tonight (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking technique for cod? ›

The best cooking method for cod fish is baking, shallow poaching or pan-frying. Here are a few variations in the home kitchen. Shallow Poaching. Season the fish per the recipe card, starts on the stovetop and finishes in the oven.

What are the benefits of eating cod fish? ›

The content found in cod can help improve skin health by maintaining hydration and reducing inflammation. It also contains a healthy dose of vitamin B, which helps with both skin and hair health. Additionally, the mineral selenium found in the fish helps kill off the free radicals that cause hair loss.

Is cod fish good for blood pressure? ›

As per research, cod fish contains potassium, which has antihypertensive benefits. In addition, it widens the arteries, which helps to minimise blood vessel tension. As a result, the blood flow improves, and you can control your blood pressure and avoid hypertension.

Is cod better in the oven or pan? ›

Pan-frying is a great option for cod fillet or loin as there is time to produce a lovely crispy skin without overcooking the delicate, flaky flesh. This is the way cod and similar white fish are often cooked in restaurant kitchens and is very simple to do at home.

What makes cod taste good? ›

Making baked cod with lemon is classic, and for a good reason (I also used this combo in my Fish en Papillote). The lemon brightens up the cod and makes it taste its best; I can't imagine cod without it.

Should cod be soaked in milk before cooking? ›

Before cooking, soak the fish in milk for 20 minutes

In this scenario, the protein in the milk binds with the compounds that cause that fishy odor, in essence extracting if from the fish. What's left behind is sweet-smelling, brighter flesh with clean flavor. (Just make sure you pour that milk down the drain.

Is cod healthier than salmon? ›

So, we can conclude that cod may be better for your health than salmon, considering certain factors such as calories and saturated-fat content. However, if you are more focused on increasing folate and good fats, then perhaps salmon is a better choice. It depends on your health condition and priorities.

What does cod do to your body? ›

Nutrition. Cod is a low-fat source of protein, making it an excellent choice for people who would like to reduce their fat intake and improve their heart health. Cod also contains a significant amount of iodine, which is an important mineral for thyroid function.

Is cod anti-inflammatory? ›

Fatty fish: Wild-caught salmon, mackerel, cod, tuna and sardines contain a high amount of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats.

Who should not eat cod? ›

Health Risk of Eating Cod

High levels of mercury consumption can be harmful, particularly for pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children. These groups should limit their intake of high-mercury fish, including cod, and choose lower-mercury alternatives instead.

Can you eat too much cod? ›

Most types of fish, especially larger species, contain mercury. Mercury can be toxic in high amounts, so it is best to avoid consuming too much. However, cod is not high in mercury. This means that for most people, it is possible to consume cod without this risk.

How often can I eat cod? ›

Cod, Atlantic -- once a week at most.

Do you rinse cod before baking? ›

We recommend not rinsing unless you need to rinse off any scales. Pat dry with paper towels whether you rinse or not. Preheat the oven to 450°F for fillets and steaks or 350°F for dressed fish. Even thickness: Place the fish in a single layer in a greased shallow baking pan (like a baking sheet).

How long does cod need to be cooked for? ›

Bake in 400 degrees F heated oven for about 10 minutes or until the cod is cooked through. The fish is ready when it turns a beautiful white opaque and flakes easily when you take a fork to it. Garnish and serve! I love adding some parsley for a pop of green!

How should cod be when cooked? ›

You'll know your cod is done when it flakes easily when pressed with a fork, and the flesh is opaque white and no longer translucent. In terms of doneness, the official FDA recommendation is an internal temperature of 145˚F as measured by a food thermometer, which will be a very firm piece of fish.

What is the best way to play cod? ›

There are two main play styles: passive and aggressive. Passive players wait for enemies to come to them, while aggressive players take the fight to the other team. It's good to be aggressive in Call of Duty, but you might want to start out by playing passively until you've mastered the basics.

What is the best method for catching cod? ›

Lures are an effective way to catch Murray cod, as they can be used to mimic the appearance and behaviour of the fish's natural prey. This can trigger a feeding response from the big fish, which increases the chances of getting a bite.

How to cook cod so it isn't rubbery? ›

The secret to cooking perfectly moist and flaky fish is to avoid overcooking it. The use of fat and lemon juice in this Whole30 cod recipe locks in the natural moisture of the fish and helps it cook in a quick manner. As a result, you should never have dry, rubbery fish again.

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