Easy Baked Cod Recipe (2024)

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This baked cod fillets recipe is white fish at its best. Using just one pan and a handful of ingredients, it makes for a healthy & filling dinner.

Love cod? This easy potato and cod recipe is another great sheet pan meal.

Easy Baked Cod Recipe (1)

Oftentimes, cod gets stereotyped as a boring fish. That’s such a shame because when cooked the right way it tastes like a 5-star meal. This easy baked cod recipe is the perfect example of what can happen when you let wholesome ingredients speak for themselves. Whether it’s a hectic weeknight or you’re hosting a dinner party, flaky fish and perfectly cooked veggies are always a crowd pleaser.

The Best Kind of Cod to Use

Cod fillets work best. While Pacific cod touts a thicker fillet than Atlantic, either will work just fine for this recipe. Fresh is always preferred, but if you need to use frozen make sure it’s completely thawed before you bake it. To do so, pop it in the fridge overnight.

Preparing this Easy Baked Cod

The first step to making this recipe is to trim down the cod into smaller pieces or keep it in whole fish fillets. It’s your choice!

  • Slice the Veggies: Next, slice the onion and bell peppers into small pieces.
  • Season the Veggies & Cod: Assemble the sliced veggies on the baking dish or a baking sheet with parchment paper, followed by the pieces of cod. Then, season liberally with garlic parsley salt and top the fish with pieces of butter.
  • Bake the Cod: Pop the pan in the oven and bake the cod at 400°F for about 15 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and green onions and serve alongside your favorite grain or potato dish. Enjoy!
Easy Baked Cod Recipe (2)
Easy Baked Cod Recipe (3)

3 Tips for Moist & Tender Baked Cod

Baked cod is hard to mess up, but a couple of tips will help you nail it.

  • Pat the fish dry of excess moisture. Before seasoning the cod, pat it dry with a paper towel to remove any excess moisture. This will help the fish get a nice, lightly golden brown crust.
  • Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Take the guesswork out of checking the doneness of the cod by using an instant-read thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.
  • Experiment with different seasonings. Cod couldn’t be more versatile, so go ahead and add your favorite seasoning to suit your taste buds. Fresh lemon juice, fresh basil, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika are all great options and add an extra layer of flavor. Or, swap out the butter for olive oil if you’d like.
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Different Ways to Serve Baked Cod

This baked cod makes for the perfect light lunch or dinner. Serve it alongside creamy cauliflower rice or some quinoa for a well-rounded meal. Or, sandwich the fillets between two slices of bread with tartar sauce and serve the veggies as your side dish.

Storing Baked Cod

Cod is great for meal prep! To keep baked cod on hand for up to a 3 days, store it in an airtight container in the fridge. This will keep it from drying out or absorbing any lingering smells in your refrigerator.Avoid freezing the dish, as the veggies are prone to turning soggy upon thawing.

FAQ

How long does it take to bake cod?

Baked cod takes about 15 minutes at 400°F. This can vary a couple of minutes in either direction depending on the thickness of your fillets.

What makes baked cod tough?

Baked cod will turn tough if you overcook it. It’s a very delicate fish, so keep a close eye on it and check how it’s coming along about halfway through the cooking time.

How do you know cod is done?

It’s ready when its internal temperature reaches 145°F and the fish flakes easily with a fork.

How should you thaw frozen cod?

The best way to thaw frozen cod is in the refrigerator overnight. If you need to thaw it quickly, stick it in cold water (while still in a bag or airtight package) for 20-30 minutes.

Other Cod Fish Recipes:

  • Buttered Cod Recipe – Buttery, lemony cod
  • Baked Cod With Vegetables Recipe – Baked cod in tomato sauce and veggies
  • Crispy Air Fryer Cod (15 minutes) – No-guilt, crispy cod
  • Pan-Fried Cod Recipe (Tips for Cooking Cod) – Simple pan-fried cod

Recipe

Easy Baked Cod Recipe (5)

Easy Baked Cod Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Recipe contributed by: Natalya Drozhzhin

This baked cod recipe is simple, healthy, and satisfying. The buttery fish and sweet roasted veggies make for the perfect light meal!

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs cod fillet
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1/2 red bell pepper
  • 1/2 yellow bell pepper
  • 1 small onion
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter
  • garlic parsley salt to taste
  • parsley garnish
  • green onion garnish

US UnitsMetric

Instructions

  • Slice the cod fillets into smaller pieces or keep them whole. Next, slice the onion and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces.

  • Place all the vegetables in one layer on the baking sheet. Assemble the cod evenly throughout the pan. Season with garlic parsley salt and add chunks of butter on top of the cod.

  • Bake the cod at 400°F for about 15 minutes. It'll be ready once its internal temperature reaches 145°F.Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Easy Baked Cod Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 277Calories from Fat 144

% Daily Value*

Fat 16g25%

Saturated Fat 9g45%

Cholesterol 105mg35%

Sodium 220mg9%

Potassium 747mg21%

Carbohydrates 3g1%

Sugar 1g1%

Protein 27g54%

Vitamin A 985IU20%

Vitamin C 39.4mg48%

Calcium 36mg4%

Iron 0.9mg5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Easy Baked Cod Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking technique for cod? ›

Try a gentle cooking method: Instead of adding fat, you can also try a gentle cooking method like steaming or cooking en papillote. Both of these methods help to preserve Pacific cod's high moisture content and produce incredibly tender results.

What temperature should cod be cooked at in the oven? ›

Preheat an oven or grill to 400 degrees. Lightly spritz fish with olive oil, sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper and sea salt. Bake for approx 12 minutes, or to an internal temp of 145 degrees. Squeeze fresh lemon or lime over the fish and serve.

How long should you cook cod at 400? ›

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!

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.

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).

Should you rinse cod before cooking? ›

Unlike vegetables and fruits, where you want to wash off pesticides or any chemicals before cooking or consumption, meat/poultry/fish are safer to be unwashed. There're potentially more bacteria in the sink where you would wash it. Properly cooked meat will kill off the bacteria, especially salmonella, not rinsing.

Why is my baked cod tough? ›

Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

How long does cod need to be cooked for? ›

Whether it starts fresh or frozen, cod should always be cooked to an internal temperature of at least 145°. Our filets were done after around 15-2o minutes, but the timing will depend on the thickness of your filets.

How do you not overcook cod fish? ›

If the fillet is an inch thick, just cut the fish into 2-inch squares. “It's better to undercook cod than to overcook it, so test the fish after cooking 2 minutes on each side. And remember it will continue cooking a little as it rests,” says Dunlap.

Can you overcook cod? ›

At this temperature, its flesh will be opaque white and flake easily when pressed with a fork. Overcooking cod will make it tough and dry since more moisture evaporates from the fish as its internal temperature rises.

Is cod easy to overcook? ›

Cod tends to be fairly firm as compared to other white fish (tilapia, etc.) though it can vary a bit in texture depending on the variety. White fish in general will also tend to overcook fairly easily and will lose moisture quickly.

What makes cod taste good? ›

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!

Why does cod fall apart when cooking? ›

As fish cooks, proteins in the muscle fibers coagulate and the flesh changes from translucent to opaque in appearance. When the collagen softens in heat, it loses its structure and turns to gelatin; the muscle fibers have little to hold them together and the fish separates easily into flakes.

What cod tastes the best? ›

In flavour terms, it's widely agreed that Atlantic cod has a slightly sweet taste, with large flakes that fall apart easily when cooked. Pacific cod has a milder, more savoury flavour profile accompanied by firmer, chunkier flakes. Preference is very much down to consumers' personal tastes.

What is the cod fish technique? ›

The procedure can be used to identify individual chromosomes, rearrangements between chromosomes, and the location within a chromosome of specific DNA sequences such as centromeres, telomeres, and even individual genes.

How do you make cod not 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.

Why do you salt cod before cooking? ›

Salting fish, like sea bass fillets, before cooking helps to firm up the flesh and improves the texture. If you've travelled much in Spain or Portugal you will no doubt of seen salt cod, or bacalao on the menu – this is where the fish is covered in salt for days to remove all the moisture.

What is the best cooking method for fish and why? ›

Make sure to cook your fish in a way that doesn't overwhelm the flavor. The level of fat in the meat. Leaner types of seafood dry out more easily, which makes them better suited for wet cooking methods like steaming and poaching. Fatty fish like tuna and salmon, on the other hand, are ideal for grilling and roasting.

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