Cod, a mild white fish, cooks quickly and can be used in many flavor combinations. Perfect for quick and easy dinners, these seven cod recipes are delightful.
Years ago, when my kids were very little, one of the first fish I introduced them to was cod. Readily available, inexpensive and mild in flavor, it was a good introduction into the world of fish.
What’s more is that this cold-water fish is pretty darn healthy too. Low in calories and high in nutrients, studies suggest that cod is beneficial for cardiovascular health and more.
According to Healthline, a 3-ounce portion of cod has 30% of the Reference Daily Intake of B12 for adults. It’s also a good source of selenium and protein as well. Plus, it’s low in mercury.
How to Season cod
Cod is a fast-cooking, mild, tasty fish. That means its flavor is pretty adaptable so spices, herbs and other seasonings can alter the flavor. Here are some ideas on how to season cod.
For a simple dish, season the cod with salt and pepper and serve with lemon wedges. The salt and pepper will coax the delicate flavor out of the fish.
Other spices and herbs like paprika, ground chile, thyme and rosemary can be mixed and matched with salt and pepper to create different flavors. For instance, a ground chile like ancho mixed with salt and pepper for seasoning the cod could make a lovely fish taco filling. Serve it with lime wedges. Or you could season the cod with thyme, basil and a touch of garlic and serve it with a tomato-based sauce for a more Mediterranean take on the fish.
It’s worth noting that cod pairs beautifully with citrus (you might have noticed that lemon and lime came up a few times above!) and salty additions like capers work well with that.
With a mild fish like cod, there are so many ways you can adjust the flavor with different ingredients.
Cod Recipes for Dinner Tonight
Here are some easy recipes for dressing up this tasty white fish. What makes these the best cod recipes? See for yourself.
Cracker Crusted Cod | Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Ready in just 20 minutes, this cod recipe is topped with a buttery cracker-parmesan cheese mixture that sounds amazing. Crunchy topping, perfectly cooked fish, quick recipe … Yes, please!
Baked Lemon Herb Cod | Sarah’s Cucina Bella
This recipe for rich well-seasoned cod with a simple lemony pan sauce might sound simple, and it definitely is quick and easy. But the results are mouthwateringly delicious.
Cod in White Wine Lemon Caper Sauce | Tasting Page
What pairs better than white wine, lemons and capers? It’s a flavor combination that just works. And in this dish, the creator describes the results as “crisp and clean with slightly sweet, citrus notes.” Sounds good to me!
Cod on Roasted Red Pepper and White Beans | All Roads Lead to the Kitchen
Cod is lightly seasoned with smoked paprika and then served on a bed of white beans, olives and roasted red peppers, for an easy, flavorful dish.
Easy Breaded Cod | Sarah’s Cucina Bella
A flavorful, crispy breading surrounds cod filets in this quick and easy recipe for a lightly fried version of this fish. And that’s the thing about cod recipes: they are almost always quick and easy because cod cooks so fast.
Alaskan Cod Fettuccine Alfredo | Fearless Dining
Cod is lightly seasoned and sauteed before being flaked and tossed with a creamy, homemade alfredo sauce in this easy, kid-friendly pasta dish. Mmm.
Baked Cod with Sun-dried Tomato, Caper and Olive Tampenade | The Lemon Bowl
Cod, which is such a mild, adaptable fish, gets a big flavor boost from a topping that combines lemon, kalamata olives, caper and sun-dried tomatoes. It cooks in about 30 minutes, so this is perfect for those busy weeknights when you want a delicious, healthy dinner.
Kate
Monday 9th of May 2016
I feel like Cod is such an East Coast fish. I can't remember the last time I saw it on a menu over here!