31 Cod Recipes for Delicate, Flaky Fish Every Time
Looking to eat more seafood? This roundup of our best cod recipes is here to inspire you. Often more economical than halibut and a nice change of pace from salmon, cod is a strong MVP in our fish rotation. From slow-roasted, meaty black cod to quick-cooking Baja fish tacos, you’ll find that cod is not only versatile, it’s also very delicious. Entertaining? Set up a nice loin of cod over some vegetables in a cocotte and pop it into the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Cod’s delicate flakiness also makes it an excellent choice for slipping into brothy fish stews at the last minute (it’ll cook quickly). For chowder lovers, there are some nice spins on your average cup of soup here. And if you’re simply in the market for an exciting fish dish on an average Wednesday night, we’ve got you covered.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne1/31Sour Cream and Onion Fish
We love baked cod recipes with a little trick up their sleeve. In this easy weeknight dinner, the fish is the chip. You’ll coat fish fillets with sour cream and panko breadcrumbs, then bake them until crisp and golden brown.
Photo by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Stephanie De Luca, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova2/31Bouillabaisse
This classic but flexible French bouillabaisse recipe is the only one you’ll need to bring the iconic seafood stew of Marseille to your table. Pro tip: don’t skip the rouille—the spicy, garlicky sauce makes the dish truly pop.
Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food styling by Mira Evnine3/31Easy Fish Tacos
Fish tacos are said to come from Baja California, Mexico's northernmost state. While there are delicious versions made with fried or grilled fish, this recipe calls for sautéed cod.
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell4/31Sweet and Salty Fish Collars
Baste fish collars—an often discarded but very satisfying cut of seafood—with a sweet and salty combination of briny kombu and dark sweet prunes. P.S.: The sauce is easy to make ahead and store in the refrigerator.
Photo by Emma Fishman, Food Styling by Yekaterina Boystova6/31Salt-and-Pepper Fish
One of our most popular fish recipes is inspired by a classic Cantonese preparation, which is traditionally battered and deep-fried. Here, the cod is pan-seared in hot oil for a streamlined approach, but it still gets plenty of texture and flavor from ginger, caramelized scallions, and lots of freshly ground black pepper.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell8/31Italian Fish and Vegetable Stew
With the near year-round availability of zucchini and cherry tomatoes, this gut-friendly dish brings color and flavor to the table any time you’d like. The fish marinates in a flavorful fresh lemon juice and olive oil dressing that doubles as its simmering liquid.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich9/31Cod With Miso–Butternut Squash Sauce
Pair mild, flaky cod with a flavorful miso-ginger squash sauce. As a bonus, the sauce uses the same purée as our Miso–Butternut Squash Soup recipe, so feel free to double up and make both.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell10/31Spring Pea Fish Chowder
Sweet peas, pea shoots, and lemon zest give this bright, lightly creamy chowder a dose of freshness. Use really good bottled clam juice to make it sing.
Photo by Laura Murray, Food Styling by Susie Theodorou11/31Saucy Spiced Cod With Corn
Nothing against pan-frying fish to get that crispy skin, but cod shines brightest when nestled into a bed of rich aromatics and steamed to tender flakiness.
12/31Chard-Wrapped Fish With Lemon and Olive
For this all-star Mediterranean-inspired recipe, you'll smother white fish in a garlicky olive paste, then wrap the fillets in chard leaves before simmering them in a lemony, cilantro-laced sauce. Any mix of pitted olives will do fine here.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Anna Stockwell13/31Old Bay–Spiced Fish Sticks With Creamy Celery Root and Carrot Slaw
Photo by Kyle Johnson14/31Seared Cod With Potato and Chorizo Foil Pack Dinner
Seafood recipes for camping? Sure. This easy foil-pack dinner can be prepared over a grill or campfire. Make this your night one camp-out dinner, when the fish is freshest.
Charles Masters, food styling by Sue Li15/31Cioppino Seafood Stew With Gremolata Toasts
You can use any firm fish and fresh shellfish you like for this classic San Franciscan fisherman’s stew. (A little crabmeat is a luxurious addition, as well.) Make the base a day in advance for a low-stress Christmas dinner.
Photo by Alex Lau, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Lillian Chou17/31Sichuan Boiled Fish
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Sue Li18/31Roast Fish With Cannellini Beans and Green Olives
Here’s one of those throw-together dinner ideas that’s still restaurant-worthy. If you’ve got beans and lemons at home, then all you need is a fresh piece of cod from the fish counter. Slow-roasting everything in a baking dish is the best insurance for moist, super-flaky fish without the need for much tending.
Photo by David Malosh, Prop Styling by Cindy DiPrima, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich20/31Coconut Cod Chowder With Seasoned Oyster Crackers
Photo By Alex Lau, Food Styling By Susie Theodorou, Prop Styling By Emily Eisen21/31Skillet Cod, Clams, and Corn With Parsley
Photo by Ed Anderson22/31Pan-Fried Fishcakes
To ensure these fresh, crisp, mayo-free fishcakes hold together in the skillet, chill them well before cooking. Serve with something creamy-crunchy, like a flavorful coleslaw.
Photo by Fredrika Stjürne24/31Cod en Cocotte With Tomatoes, Olives & Chorizo
Cooking “en cocotte” is a French technique for cooking in a tightly covered pan—a great way to develop concentrated flavors. You’ll start this lively stew with a gentle simmer on the stovetop and finish it off in the oven. Hosting? Assemble the casserole four hours ahead and pop it into the fridge until you’re ready to rewarm it for dinner.
Romulo Yanes28/31Fish Fillets With Tomatoes, Squash, and Basil
Cooking fish en papillote (parchment packets) is a brilliant and foolproof French technique for attaining moist, evenly cooked fish. You can use any white flaky fish in this versatile and quick Provencal dish.
Romulo Yanes31/31Crispy Oven-Fried Cod
We love cod recipes with a built-in side dish. Roasted fries complete this quick take on fish and chips. You can use cod or scrod to make the shallow-fried fish and finish it off in the oven.
