12 Best Cod Fish Recipes from Crispy Classics to Global Gourmet

Unlock the ocean’s most versatile white fish—one flaky, buttery bite at a time.

Tender snow-white flakes beneath crackling golden crusts… delicate flesh that drinks up Moroccan chermoula and melts into silky chowders… cod is the quiet champion of the sea.

This vibrant, low-carb recipes combines satisfying textures with a light profile. Its balanced mix of protein, fiber, and healthy fats offers fullness without greasy heaviness, making it a classic choice for weight management and blood sugar control.

1. Pan-Seared Cod with Roasted Vegetable Salad

※ Ingredients ※

• Cod fillet 150g
• Zucchini ½
• Carrot 1
• Eggplant ¼
• Cherry tomatoes 100g
• Red onion ¼
• Olive oil 2 tsp
• Lemon juice 1 tsp
• Fresh basil 5g
• Salt & black pepper

※ Steps ※

1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
2. Toss chopped veggies with 1 tsp oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Roast 20-25 mins, flipping once, until tender.
4. Pat cod dry; season.
5. Sear in remaining oil 3-4 mins per side until golden.
6. Toss roasted veggies with lemon juice.
7. Plate cod alongside salad. Top with torn basil.

2. Creamy Coconut-Lime Cod Soup

Tangy lime cuts through the creamy coconut, while turmeric lends sunset hue. Light yet deeply satisfying—perfect for warm nights or chilly days.

※ Ingredients ※
• Cod fillets: 4
• Coconut milk: 1 can (400ml)
• Fish or veg stock: 1 cup
• Veggies: Onion (1, chopped), garlic (2 cloves, minced), carrot (1, julienned), red bell pepper (1, sliced), zucchini (1, diced), tomato (1, diced)
• romatics: Fresh ginger (1 tbsp, grated), turmeric (½ tsp), paprika (½ tsp), red chili flakes (¼ tsp, optional)
• Finish: Fresh cilantro (¼ cup, chopped), lime (1, quartered)
• Olive oil, salt, pepper

※ Steps ※

1. Season cod with salt, pepper, paprika, and turmeric.
2. Heat oil in a pot. Sear fillets 2-3 mins per side until golden. Remove, roughly chop.
3. Sauté onion, garlic, and ginger until translucent (~3 mins).
4. Add all veggies; cook 5-7 mins until softened.
5. Pour in coconut milk + stock. Add chili flakes (if using). 6. 6. Simmer 10-15 mins.
6. Return fish to pot. Simmer 3-4 mins. Adjust seasoning.
7. Ladle into bowls. Top with cilantro and lime wedges.

Tips & Swaps

• Veggie Boost: Spinach, broccoli, or snow peas—stir in last 2 mins.
• Spice Up: Add 1 tsp Thai curry paste or sriracha.
• Protein Swap: Shrimp or scallops work beautifully!

3. Pan-Seared Cod with Lemon & Dill

※ Ingredients ※
• Cod fillet: 200g
• Lemon: 1
• Fresh dill: 5g
• Olive oil: 10ml
• Sea salt: 2g
• Black pepper: 1g

※ Steps ※

1. Marinate: Pat cod dry. Rub with sea salt and pepper; rest 10 mins.
2. Sear: Heat olive oil in pan. Cook cod 3-4 mins per side until golden.
3. Finish: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over cod. Sprinkle chopped dill.

Tip:

• Pair with steamed asparagus or arugula salad for <400 kcal complete meal.

4. Cod Pot-au-Feu : A Heartwarming French Classic

This soul-soothing stew unites cod’s delicate sweetness with hearty vegetables, slow-simmered into a rich, comforting embrace. Nutritious and deeply aromatic, it transforms any chilly evening into a cozy celebration—pure French countryside on a spoon.

※ Ingredients ※
• Cod fillets: 300g
• Potatoes: 2 (cubed)
• Carrot: 1 (cubed)
• Tomatoes: 2 (diced)
• Onion: 1 (sliced)
• Garlic: 2 cloves (minced)
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Fish stock: 250ml
• Dry white wine: 100ml
• Bay leaf: 1
• Fresh thyme: 1 tsp
• Sea salt & black pepper

※ Steps ※

1. Prep veggies: Cube potatoes, carrots, and tomatoes. Slice onion; mince garlic.
2. Sauté base: Heat oil. Cook onion and garlic until fragrant (~3 mins).
3. Brown veggies: Add potatoes and carrots; sauté 5 mins. Stir in tomatoes.
4. Deglaze & simmer: Pour in wine; boil 1 min. Add stock, bay leaf, and thyme. Simmer 15 mins until veggies soften.
5. Cook cod: Nestle cod into stew. Cover; simmer gently 8–10 mins (do not stir!). Season.
6. Serve: Ladle into bowls. Drizzle with broth. Best enjoyed piping hot!

5. Pan-Seared Cod with Pea-Avocado Purée & Asparagus

※ Ingredients ※
• Cod Fish: 1 fillet
• Asparagus spears
• Peas: 1 pack (150g)
• Avocado: 1
• Baby potatoes: 2
• Water chestnuts (马蹄)
• Pea shoots
• Lemon: 1 slice
• Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, olive oil, milk, light cream, butter, rosemary, garlic

※ Steps ※

1. Sear
→ Pat cod dry. Season; marinate 15 mins.
→ Sear in olive oil 4-5 mins/side until golden. Add rosemary, garlic, and butter to baste during cooking.

2. Pea-Avocado Purée & Potatoes
→ Boil peas; blend with ½ avocado, 2 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp cream, salt, pepper, and 1 tsp melted butter until smooth.
→ Boil potatoes in salted water until tender.

3. Sauté Veggies
→ Stir-fry asparagus and sliced water chestnuts in olive oil 2-3 mins. Season.

4. Plate Like a Pro
→ Base: Swipe pea purée across plate.
→ Arrange: Place fish atop purée. Surround with potatoes, sautéed veggies, avocado slices, and fresh peas.
→ Garnish: Scatter pea shoots and lemon slice. Squeeze lemon over fish before eating.

6. Mediterranean Roasted Cod

※ Ingredients ※
Cod fillet | Cherry tomatoes | Garlic slices | Canned black olives | Fresh fennel
Fresh lemon | Fennel seeds | Olive oil | Sea salt | Black pepper

※ Steps ※

1. Marinate: Place cod fillet in a bowl. Add halved cherry tomatoes, garlic slices, black olives, and fennel seeds. Season with sea salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Gently toss to coat. Marinate for 1 hour (busy folks: prep ahead!).
2. Roast: Preheat oven to 200°C. Transfer ingredients to a baking dish. Roast 15–20 minutes until fish flakes easily.
3. Finish: Sprinkle fresh fennel and squeeze lemon juice over the dish.

Tips:
• Ensure even coating during marination.
• Adjust roasting time based on fillet thickness and oven performance.
• Balance flavors with extra fennel seeds or lemon juice to taste.

7. Creamy Cod à la Française :

A Classic Harmony of Silky Richness and Delicate Lightness

※ Ingredients ※
• Cod fillets: 400g
• Butter: 30g
• Onion: 1 (finely chopped)
• Dry white wine: 100ml
• Light cream: 200ml
• Lemon juice: to taste
• Fresh herbs: parsley/chives (chopped)
• Sea salt & black pepper: to taste

※ Steps ※

1. Prep Cod
   – Season cod with salt and pepper; rest 5 mins.
   – Melt butter in skillet over medium heat. Sear cod 3-4 mins per side until golden. Remove.
2. Cream Sauce
   – Sauté onion in same skillet until soft.
   – Pour in wine; simmer until alcohol evaporates (~2 mins).
   – Add cream. Simmer on low heat, stirring constantly.
   – Season with salt/pepper; finish with lemon juice.
3. Combine
   – Return cod to skillet. Spoon sauce over fish.
   – Simmer gently 2-3 mins for flavors to meld.
4. Plate
   – Transfer cod to plates. Drizzle with sauce; garnish with fresh herbs.

Serving Suggestion:
Pair with crusty baguette, buttery potatoes, or al dente pasta. This embodiment of French elegance turns any meal into a celebration of simplicity and sophistication. Bon appétit!

8. Pan-Seared Cod with White Wine Tomato-Basil Sauce

※ Ingredients ※
• Cod fillets
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• Fresh tomatoes, diced
• Fresh basil (or dried)
• Lemon juice
• Salt, sugar
• ¼ cup dry white wine
• Black pepper

※ Steps ※

1. Sauce:
   → Heat olive oil. Sauté garlic until fragrant.
   → Add tomatoes; cook until softened.
   → Stir in basil, a squeeze of lemon, pinch of salt/sugar.
   → Pour in wine; simmer 8–10 mins until thickened.
2. Fish:
   → Pat fillets dry. Season with salt and pepper.
   → Sear in hot oil: 3–4 mins per side (don’t overcook!).
3. Serve:
   → Plate fish. Generously spoon sauce on top.

9. Cod with Sausage Cream & Mashed Potatoes

※ Ingredients ※
■ Cod & Sausage Cream
• Cod loins: 4 (150g each)
• Mild or spicy sausage: 100g
• Crème fraîche: 200ml
• Shallot: 1 (minced)
• Olive oil
• Salt, pepper

■ Mashed Potatoes
• Starchy potatoes (e.g., Bintje): 800g
• Butter: 30g
• Olive oil: 2 tbsp
• Salt, pepper
• Chives (optional)

※ Steps ※

1. Potato Purée
→ Peel and cube potatoes. Boil in salted water 20 mins until tender.
→ Drain and mash coarsely. Fold in butter, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Keep warm.

2. Sausage Cream
→ Sauté minced shallot in olive oil until translucent.
→ Add crumbled sausage; cook until browned.
→ Pour in crème fraîche; simmer 5 mins. Blend until smooth. Season.

3. Sear Cod
→ Pat cod dry; season. Sear in oiled pan 3–4 mins per side until pearly and flaky.

4. Plate
→ Spread mashed potatoes on plates. Top with cod.
→ Generously spoon sausage cream over cod. Garnish with chives.

10. Coconut-Lemon Cream Baked Cod

※ Ingredients ※

• Cod fillets: 4 (6 oz each)
• Olive oil: 1 tbsp
• Salt & black pepper
• Sauce:
• Coconut milk (full-fat): 1 cup
• Heavy cream: ½ cup
• Lemon: zest + juice of 1
• Garlic: 2 cloves (minced)
• Turmeric: 1 tsp
• Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
• Garnish: Fresh parsley (chopped), lemon slices

※ Steps ※

1. Prep Cod
→ Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F).
→ Season cod on both sides.
→ Sear in olive oil 2 mins per side until golden. Remove fish.

2. Make Sauce
→ Sauté garlic in same skillet 30 secs until fragrant.
→ Whisk in coconut milk, cream, lemon zest/juice, turmeric, and paprika.
→ Simmer 3 mins until slightly thickened.

3. Bake
→ Return cod to skillet. Spoon sauce over fish.
→ Bake 10-12 mins until fish flakes easily.

4. Serve
→ Garnish with parsley and lemon slices.
→ Pair with crusty bread or jasmine rice to soak up the luscious sauce.

Tips

• Coconut Choice: Full-fat milk for silky texture (light coconut milk thins sauce).
• Don’t Overbake: Cod turns rubbery past 12 mins!
• Flavor Boost: Add 1 tsp fish sauce to sauce for umami depth.
• Wine Pairing: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc cuts through richness.

(Note: For extra citrus kick, add ½ tsp lemon pepper to fish seasoning. Cast iron skillets work best for sear-to-oven transition!)

11. Garlic Pan-Seared Cod with Roasted Broccoli & Bell Pepper

※ Ingredients ※

• Cod Fillet 120g
• Broccoli 80g
• Red Bell Pepper 60g
• Olive Oil 1.5 tsp (7.5ml)
• Minced Garlic (1 clove)
• Salt & Black Pepper (to taste)

※ Steps ※

1. Cod: Season cod with salt and black pepper. Pan-sear in olive oil until both sides are golden. Sprinkle minced garlic over the fish in the last minute for fragrance.
2. Vegetables: Break broccoli into florets and slice the bell pepper into strips. Toss with olive oil and a pinch of salt. Roast at 200°C (390°F) for 12 minutes, until edges are slightly charred.
3. Serve: Plate the seared cod alongside the roasted vegetables.

12. Pan-Seared Cod with Roasted Bell Peppers and Zucchini

※ Ingredients ※

• Cod Fillet 150g
• Mixed Bell Peppers (red & yellow) 100g
• Zucchini 100g
• Olive Oil 1 tsp
• Lemon Juice 1 tsp
• Garlic (1 clove)
• Salt (a pinch)
• Black Pepper (a pinch)

※ Steps ※

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F).
2. Slice bell peppers into strips and cut zucchini into rounds.
3. Place vegetables on a baking tray, drizzle with a little olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Roast for 15–20 minutes.
4. Pat cod fillet dry, season with salt and black pepper.
5. Heat remaining olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sear cod until golden (3–4 minutes per side).
6. Crush garlic and mix with lemon juice and any remaining olive oil.
7. Serve cod over roasted vegetables, drizzled with garlic-lemon oil.

| Tips for Cooking Cod Perfectly |

· Don’t overcook it—cod is ready when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
· Pat dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy sear.
· Use fresh or sustainably sourced frozen cod for the best taste and texture.

| Serving Suggestions |

Pair cod with sides like roasted vegetables, cilantro-lime rice, quinoa, or a simple green salad.

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From quick family dinners to fancy date nights, cod is a reliable and delicious choice. Try these recipes to make the most of this fantastic fish—it might just become your new favourite ingredient!

Let us know which recipe you’re excited to try — we’d love to see your creations! Facebook or Instagram [@thesoupdiary66]