10+ Cod Recipes You’ll Love to Cook and Share

10+ Cod Recipes You’ll Love to Cook and Share

ByKnow Recipes Team Reading Time: 8 minutes

If you’re into cooking fish or just want to shake up your dinner routine, cod’s a solid pick. This mild, white fish works in all sorts of dishes and won’t overpower anything else on your plate.

Cod recipes come together fast and fit into your weeknight plans without much fuss.

A chef preparing cod with herbs and lemon slices on a cutting board

Looking for a quick dinner? Cod’s your friend. Want something a little fancier? You can dress it up, too.

Let’s check out some easy, tasty cod recipes you can actually pull off at home.

1) Garlic Butter Baked Cod

A baking dish with seasoned cod fillets surrounded by garlic cloves, butter, and fresh herbs, ready to be placed in the oven

Garlic butter baked cod is about as simple as it gets. Just grab butter, garlic, and a few seasonings for a rich, flavorful fish.

It’s done in under 30 minutes, so it’s perfect when you’re tired but still want something good.

The butter keeps the cod moist and flaky. Garlic just makes everything better, doesn’t it?

Try tossing in fresh herbs or a handful of cherry tomatoes if you want to mix things up.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) and you’ll get juicy, evenly cooked fillets every time.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4-6 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh parsley or lemon wedges

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.
  3. Melt butter and mix in minced garlic.
  4. Pour garlic butter over the fish.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
  7. Garnish with parsley or lemon if you like.

2) Pan-Seared Cod in Tomato Basil Sauce

A sizzling cod fillet in a bubbling tomato basil sauce in a hot pan

Start by seasoning your cod with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan on medium.

Sear the cod until it’s golden and flakes with a fork. Set it aside for a minute.

For the sauce, sauté onion and garlic in the same pan. Add cherry tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and fresh basil.

Let everything simmer until the tomatoes break down. Pour that sauce over your cod and you’re done.

It’s fresh, quick, and works well for a weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

  1. Pat cod dry; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  3. Cook cod 3-4 minutes per side until flaky. Remove from pan.
  4. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
  5. Add cherry tomatoes, diced tomatoes, and basil. Simmer 5-7 minutes.
  6. Pour sauce over cod and serve warm.

3) Mediterranean Lemon and Garlic Baked Cod

A fresh whole cod fish surrounded by sliced lemons, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs, ready to be baked in a Mediterranean-style dish

Here’s a Mediterranean take: lemon and garlic baked cod. It’s light, bright, and honestly, kind of refreshing.

The lemon and garlic sauce makes the fish tender without any heavy lifting. It usually cooks in about 20 minutes.

Serve it with veggies or rice if you want to round things out. Fresh lemon juice and garlic make a big difference, so don’t skip them.

Drizzle a little olive oil to keep everything moist. Toss in olives or cherry tomatoes if you’re feeling extra.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets (about 1 pound)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Mix lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic in a bowl.
  3. Place cod fillets on a baking dish; pour the lemon garlic mix over them.
  4. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the fish flakes with a fork.

4) Buttery White Wine Baked Cod with Crackers

A golden-brown cod fillet topped with crushed crackers, bathed in a creamy white wine sauce, baking in a buttery oven

This one’s a little indulgent: cod baked in butter and white wine. The fish stays moist and flavorful.

Crushed crackers on top add a golden, crunchy finish. Use Ritz or whatever buttery crackers you have.

It’s quick to prep and the lemon juice keeps things bright. You’ll have dinner in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets (6-8 ounces each), skinless and boneless
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1/3 cup white wine
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup crushed buttery crackers (Ritz or similar)

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.
  3. Pour melted butter and white wine over the fish.
  4. Squeeze lemon juice on top.
  5. Sprinkle with crushed crackers.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish is cooked and topping is golden.

5) Garlic Herb Baked Cod

A fresh cod fillet is seasoned with garlic and herbs, then placed on a baking sheet. The oven is preheated and ready to cook the flavorful fish

Garlic herb baked cod is easy and reliable. The fish stays tender, and the herbs and garlic give it a fresh kick.

Usually, the topping has garlic, parsley or thyme, butter, and maybe a bit of mayo or Parmesan. That combo keeps things moist and adds flavor.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes. You’ll get perfectly cooked cod every time.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or dill)
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Mix garlic, herbs, melted butter, mayo, and Parmesan if you want.
  3. Place cod fillets on a baking sheet.
  4. Spread the garlic herb mixture over each fillet.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.

6) Chinese-Style Baked Cod by a James Beard Chef

A Chinese-style baked cod dish on a white ceramic plate with chopsticks and a garnish of green onions, sesame seeds, and a slice of lemon

Try this Chinese-style baked cod with ingredients you probably have. The recipe comes from a chef with decades of experience.

You’ll bake the cod until it’s tender. The sauce uses soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a little sugar for a savory, slightly sweet finish.

It takes about 30 minutes, start to finish. Not bad for a weeknight, right?

Ingredients

  • 1 lb cod fillets
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil
  • Green onions for garnish

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Mix soy sauce, ginger, garlic, sugar, and oil in a bowl.
  3. Place cod in a baking dish and pour sauce over it.
  4. Bake for 15-20 minutes until fish is cooked through.
  5. Garnish with green onions.

Check out the recipe and chef’s tips here.

7) Pan-Fried Cod with Brown Butter and Capers

A sizzling cod fillet in a pan with bubbling brown butter and scattered capers

Pan-fried cod is fast and satisfying. You get a golden crust from olive oil and butter.

Brown butter adds a nutty flavor, and capers bring a salty punch. Lemon and parsley make everything pop.

You’ll finish this in about 15 minutes. Serve it with whatever you have—rice, potatoes, salad, you name it.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1 lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Pat cod dry; season with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a pan over medium.
  3. Cook cod 3-4 minutes each side until golden. Remove and keep warm.
  4. Lower heat, add remaining butter until it browns.
  5. Stir in capers, lemon juice, and parsley.
  6. Pour sauce over cod and serve.

Want more details? Here’s a brown butter cod with capers recipe.

8) 20-Minute Lemon Baked Cod

A lemon baked cod fillet sizzling in a baking dish, surrounded by fresh herbs and lemon slices, with a golden brown crust on top

If you’re short on time, lemon baked cod is a lifesaver. The fish cooks fast and stays super tender.

You’ll only need basic ingredients: lemon, garlic, butter. The sauce is bright and lifts the whole dish.

Just season the cod, drizzle on the lemon butter, and bake. Dinner’s ready in about 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon (juice and zest)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Place cod fillets in a baking dish.
  3. Melt butter; mix with garlic, lemon juice, and zest.
  4. Pour lemon butter sauce over cod.
  5. Season with salt and pepper.
  6. Bake for 12-15 minutes until fish is flaky.

9) 8-Minute Crispy Air Fryer Cod

A golden-brown cod fillet sizzling in an air fryer basket, surrounded by the warm glow of the appliance's interior

You can whip up crispy, tender cod in the air fryer in just about 8 minutes at 350°F (175°C). The fish cooks fast and stays flaky inside.

Season the cod with whatever you like—salt, pepper, maybe some paprika. If you’re craving crunch, dip it in egg then coat with breadcrumbs.

Flip the fillets halfway through so both sides get that golden color. Cleanup is quick, which honestly makes this a solid pick for busy nights.

Ingredients

  • Cod fillets
  • Olive oil or cooking spray
  • Salt and pepper
  • Optional: egg, panko breadcrumbs, and your favorite seasonings

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Pat the cod dry, then season with salt and pepper.
  3. If you want, dip the cod in beaten egg and coat with breadcrumbs.
  4. Spray the air fryer basket and lay the cod inside.
  5. Cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway.
  6. Check for a crispy crust and flaky center before serving.

10) Lemon Butter Cod

A skillet sizzling with lemon butter cod, surrounded by fresh herbs and sliced lemons

Lemon butter cod is a simple, tasty way to highlight this mild, flaky fish. The garlic lemon butter sauce brings bright flavor without overwhelming the cod.

You can bake or pan-sear it, and the butter makes everything rich while the lemon keeps things light. It’s honestly perfect for those weeknights when you want something a little special but don’t have much time.

You only need a handful of ingredients. The whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes.

Serve with rice or steamed veggies—whatever feels right.

Ingredients

  • 4 cod fillets (about 6 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

  2. Grab your cod fillets and sprinkle them with salt and pepper.

  3. Pour some olive oil into a skillet and warm it up over medium heat.

  4. Set the cod in the skillet. Sear each side for about 2-3 minutes, just until they turn golden.

  5. Toss in some butter and let it melt. Add garlic and let it cook until you catch that fragrant aroma—shouldn’t take long.

  6. Squeeze in the lemon juice. Pour this sauce right over the cod.

  7. Slide the whole pan into the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until the fish flakes apart easily with a fork.

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