10+ Cod Fish Recipes to Delight Your Dinner Table

Cod is a popular white fish that many people enjoy because it’s mild in flavor and easy to cook. You can prepare cod in many different ways, making it a versatile choice for your meals.

Whether you like pan-searing, baking, or making sauces, cod fits well with many cooking styles and ingredients. You don’t need to be an expert cook to make a delicious cod dish your whole family will enjoy.

1) Pan-Seared Cod in White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce

You start by drying the cod fillets and lightly coating them with flour. Pan-sear the fish in oil until the outside is golden and the inside flakes easily.

This takes about 3-4 minutes on each side. Next, make the sauce by sautéing garlic and shallots.

Add cherry tomatoes, white wine, and fresh basil. Let it cook until the tomatoes soften and the sauce thickens.

Pour the sauce over your cooked cod. The fresh basil and bright tomatoes add great flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds cod fillets
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 small shallot, chopped
• ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
• ½ cup white wine
• ⅓ cup flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat cod dry and coat with flour.
2. Heat olive oil over medium heat and sear cod 3-4 minutes per side. Remove fish.
3. In the same pan, sauté garlic and shallot until soft.
4. Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes.
5. Pour in white wine and simmer until sauce thickens.
6. Stir in basil and season with salt and pepper.
7. Return cod to pan to warm through briefly.
8. Serve cod topped with the tomato basil sauce.

2) Baked Cod with Lemon and Garlic

Baked cod with lemon and garlic is a simple, tasty dish you can make quickly. The lemon adds a fresh, bright flavor, and the garlic gives it a nice savory touch.

You’ll bake the cod until it’s tender and flakes easily with a fork. Olive oil or butter keeps the fish moist.

A sprinkle of salt, pepper, and paprika adds just the right amount of seasoning. This baked cod recipe takes about 20 minutes to prepare and cook.

It pairs well with vegetables or rice for a full meal. The light, fresh flavors are easy to make at home.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.
3. In a small bowl, mix olive oil or melted butter with garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Pour the mixture evenly over the cod.
5. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
6. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

Learn more about this recipe at The Mediterranean Dish.

3) Fresh Cod Fillets with Herbs and Lemon

You can make a simple, tasty dish using fresh cod fillets, lemon, and herbs. The lemon adds brightness, while herbs like thyme or parsley bring fresh flavor to the fish.

Start by drizzling your cod with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle crushed garlic and fresh herbs on top.

Bake the fish in the oven until it is flaky and tender. This method keeps your cod moist and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh cod fillets
• 1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme or parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.
3. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the fillets.
4. Sprinkle minced garlic and herbs evenly.
5. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

4) Pan-Seared Cod with Garlic White Wine Sauce

Pat the cod dry and season it with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a little onion powder. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Cook the cod on one side until it’s golden and easily lifts from the pan. Flip and cook the other side until the fish flakes with a fork.

For the sauce, sauté minced garlic in butter. Add white wine and let it reduce a bit.

Pour this buttery garlic white wine sauce over the cooked cod. The dish is simple, flavorful, and ready in about 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garlic powder and onion powder
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp butter
• ½ cup white wine

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat cod dry and season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Cook cod fillets 4-5 minutes per side until golden and flaky.
4. Remove cod and keep warm.
5. In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic for 1 minute.
6. Add white wine and cook for 2-3 minutes until reduced.
7. Pour sauce over cod and serve.

For a clear guide, see this pan-seared cod with garlic white wine sauce recipe.

5) Garlic Butter Cod in One-Pan

You can make a tasty garlic butter cod using just one pan. This method saves time and cuts down on cleanup.

Fresh cod fillets cook quickly and stay moist in a rich butter sauce with garlic. Start by melting butter in the pan and adding minced garlic.

When the garlic is fragrant, add your cod fillets. Cook on medium heat until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.

Serve it with rice or veggies. The buttery garlic flavor makes the fish mild but delicious.

Ingredients:

• 4 cod fillets
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Melt butter in a large pan over medium heat.
2. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Season cod with salt and pepper, then place it in the pan.
4. Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
5. Garnish with parsley before serving.

6) Baked Cod with Buttery Cracker Topping

This baked cod recipe is easy to make. The buttery cracker topping adds a nice crunch and flavor.

Crush butter-flavored crackers like Ritz and mix them with melted butter. Place the cod in a baking dish and spread the cracker mixture on top.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) until the fish is flaky and the topping is golden brown. Serve with lemon wedges if you like.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets
• 1½ cups crushed Ritz crackers
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon wedges, for serving (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place the cod in a baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
3. Mix crushed crackers with melted butter in a bowl.
4. Spread the cracker mixture evenly over each fillet.
5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork and topping is golden.
6. Serve with lemon wedges if you like.

For more details, check baked cod with buttery cracker topping recipes.

7) Lemon Butter Cod with Flaky Texture

This lemon butter cod turns out tender and flaky. The mild fish pairs perfectly with a bright lemon and rich butter sauce.

Season your cod lightly, then pan-fry or bake it until it flakes easily with a fork. The lemon butter sauce adds just the right balance of tang and richness.

Pair it with steamed veggies or rice for a wholesome plate. For a reliable recipe, see this lemon butter cod recipe.

Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season cod with salt and pepper.
3. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
4. Add lemon juice and zest to butter sauce.
5. Place cod in oven-safe dish and pour lemon butter sauce over fish.
6. Bake for 12-15 minutes, until fish flakes easily.
7. Garnish with parsley before serving.

8) Air Fryer Baked Cod at 375°F for 12 Minutes

Cooking cod in the air fryer is quick and simple. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) before placing the fish inside.

This helps the cod cook evenly. Cook the cod for about 12 minutes.

Check halfway through and carefully flip the fish for even browning. The fish should be flaky and cooked through when done.

Add marinade or a light coating of oil to keep the fish moist. This method keeps your cod tender inside and slightly crispy outside.

Ingredients

• 1 lb cod fillets
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil or marinade
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
2. Lightly oil or marinate the cod.
3. Place cod in the air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
5. Check for flakiness and serve.

9) Baked Cod with Tomatoes and Lemon

You can make a simple and tasty baked cod with tomatoes and lemon. This dish is light and fresh, perfect for a quick dinner.

The tomatoes add sweetness. The lemon gives a bright, zesty flavor.

Start by layering cod fillets in a baking dish. Add sliced tomatoes and lemon slices on and around the fish.

You can also add onions and herbs for extra taste. Bake the cod in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes.

The fish turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork when it’s done.

Ingredients

• Cod fillets
• Fresh tomatoes
• Lemon slices
• Onion (optional)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley or thyme)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.
3. Layer sliced tomatoes, lemon, and onions around the fish.
4. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and herbs.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until fish is opaque and flakes easily.

10) Easy Fried Cod with Panko Breadcrumbs

You can make a simple and tasty fried cod using panko breadcrumbs. First, coat your cod pieces with flour.

Dip them in beaten eggs. Press the fish into panko crumbs for a crunchy crust.

Cook the cod in a hot pan with some oil until the outside turns golden brown. The fish flakes easily when it’s ready.

Serve your fried cod with a wedge of lemon or your favorite dipping sauce. This meal is light and delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 pounds cod fillets, cut into strips
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat your cod dry.

2. Season the cod with salt.

3. Dredge each piece in flour.

4. Dip the cod in the beaten eggs.

5. Press the cod into the panko breadcrumbs.

6. Make sure the cod is well coated.

7. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat to about 350°F (175°C).

8. Fry the cod for 3-4 minutes on each side.

9. Cook until the cod turns golden and is cooked through.

10. Remove the cod from the pan.

11. Drain it on paper towels.

12. Serve warm with lemon or your favorite sauce.

You can find this recipe described in more detail at Life’s Ambrosia.