Wondering how to cook cod? Here's the information and recipes you need to buy cod and cook it in the oven, air fryer, on the stove or the grill!
I once thought I'd never like cod, but now it's my favorite white fish. It's meaty, mild and oh-so flaky...in a good way, of course.
It's so delicious, it could pass for a poor-man's lobster.
And...cod (sometimes called codfish), cooks quickly! You can bake, fry, sauté, broil or grill it.
In the oven
My favorite way to cook cod is to add toppings to it and bake the fish at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes, as in this Parmesan cod recipe. People all over the world love this dish, and it's even perfect for kids!
If you want to skip the cheese, try this delicious Garlic Butter Baked Cod or this Baked Cod with Ritz Cracker Topping.
For a really simple cod dish, make Oven-Roasted Cod with olive oil and seasonings.
You can also make Oven-Fried Cod by baking it at 450 degrees F for 20 minutes.
Or try this divine Baked Cod with Bread Crumbs and Butter. The delicious topping includes Parmesan, Romano and white wine! Bake it at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes.
Another great option is to use your oven's broiler. You can make this Broiled Cod with Paprika, which only takes 6-8 minutes to cook.
When baking or broiling fish, I like to use a half sheet pan (affiliate link). You can line the pan with foil for easy cleanup.
On the stove
It's easy to cook cod fillets in a skillet on the stove. Just heat olive oil or butter in your pan and add the fish, seasonings and toppings. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until the cod flakes easily with a fork.
Try my Nonna's Skillet Cod with Tomatoes. It's got a great Mediterranean flair, with garlic, olive oil, parsley and black olives.
You also can make Pan-Seared Cod Loins, using the thickest part of the cod fillets. It's a simple dish with oil, butter, lemon and seasonings, but it brings a wow factor in flavor!
And you have to try Cod Piccata, featuring wine, lemon, butter, chicken stock and capers!
Frying cod
Cod is often used for fish and chips or fish sandwiches, because it holds up really well when battered and fried. You can make deep-fried, Beer-Battered Cod or shallow-fry cod with less oil.
My Fried Baccalà, made from dried, salted cod that's been thawed and rehydrated, includes a simple but delicious fish batter of seasoned flour and beaten eggs. This Pan-Fried Cod Fish (using fresh cod) has a similar batter, with a nice kick from Old Bay Seasoning (affiliate link).
Just dredge your fish in the eggs and flour, then pan-fry it in oil with a high smoke point, such as avocado oil or canola. (Make sure to heat the oil until it reaches 350 degrees F before adding the cod to the pan. )
Top the fried cod with a squeeze of lemon, and feel free to dip it in mayonnaise!
On the grill
Grilled cod has delicious, smoky flavor! Heat the grill to 400 degrees F and grill the fish with the lid closed on well-oiled grates or a grill topper (affiliate link) with holes.
Cook thick pieces for four minutes per side. Don't flip thinner pieces of cod. Just grill them for six minutes total.
In the air fryer
It's so convenient to cook cod in the air fryer without preheating it! You don't even need to flip this Air Fryer Cod. It'll cook in 12-14 minutes, and the entire recipe takes 20 minutes.
How long to cook it
You should cook cod until you can flake it easily with a fork. Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your fish and the method you choose.
In general, it should take 15 minutes at 400 degrees F to cook it in the oven. Sautéeing cod on the stove takes about 10 minutes, while pan-frying takes 5-8 minutes. Deep-frying cod takes just three minutes, since the fish is completely submerged in hot oil.
Buying cod
Cod is usually sold in either boneless, skinless fillets, which are large, or cod loins, which are smaller and cut from the thickest part of the fillet. It's usually labeled by whether it came from the Atlantic or Pacific ocean.
Smaller cod is sometimes sold as "scrod."
Dried, salted cod is known as baccalà in Italian, or bacalao in Spanish. It's usually available at grocery stores during the Christmas season.
If you have access to fresh cod (lucky you!), buy it and cook it within two days.
Where I live, the grocery store's fish counter only sells "previously frozen" cod. I've learned the hard way that "previously frozen" cod needs to be cooked the same day I buy it, because it spoils quickly.
Another option is to purchase it frozen and allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking it.
Other fish in the cod family
The cod family includes other white fish such as haddock, pollock, hake and whiting. I've tried hake fresh off the boat, and it's amazing!
What about lingcod?
Despite its name, lingcod (or ling cod) is not part of the cod family. Lingcod comes from the Pacific Ocean and is known to be quite delicious. Some day, I'd love to try it!
How long will the fish keep in the fridge?
Refrigerate fresh cod for up to two days before cooking it. If you bought it previously frozen, it's best to cook it the same day, or the next day at the latest. Store cooked cod in the refrigerator for up to three days.
How to know when it's spoiled
Follow your nose! Always sniff cod or any fish before cooking it.
If it has a strong, fishy odor and smells like ammonia...throw it out. But first, call the store where you purchased it and report what happened.
You'll likely be told to bring in your receipt for a refund. (I always save my grocery receipts until I've used any meat or fish I bought.)
What to serve with it
Now that you know how to cook cod, you might be wondering what to serve with it. It's wonderful with potatoes or rice.
I also like to serve it with green vegetables, such as Italian rapini, broccoli with garlic and lemon or escarole. Add the Best Italian Green Salad with Homemade Dressing, and you've got a fantastic meal.
Enjoy!
Rich Lenoce says
Hi Mamma C. Great post! I have a similar food blog that deals with Italian techniques and ingredients so cooks can be creative. In preparing a future blog post, also on Cod, my favorite way to make it is on a grill with a little lemon, butter, wine and fresh garden herbs. Get the grill really hot, 600+ degrees or more...in about 10-13 minutes the top will get a light crust and the flesh will separate into scallops remaining soft and moist under the outer crust, When you see the scallops it's time to come off the grill. In also like it with tomato sauce, chopped olives, chopped shallots and garlic, a few capers and LOTS of fresh herbs, and the secret ingredient--pistachios! Cook until bubbing.
Mamma C says
Hi Rich - That grilled cod sounds delicious!
Linda R says
Andrea,
I failed to mention I made 4 batches of your Marinara Sauce last week to share with family. They all agree it is the best pasta sauce ever!!! My freezer is stocked for a while.
Linda
Mamma C says
Hi Linda - I'm so glad! Thanks for letting me know!
Linda R says
Andrea,
Your recipe for Baked Parmesan Cod and Garlic Butter is my all time favorite fish recipe. So happy to see your collection of Cod recipes...I always have it in my freezer. I will be trying more soon.
Thanks for your great recipes
Linda
Mamma C says
Hi Linda - I love hearing that! Enjoy.
Hayley says
We don't really eat a whole lot of cod in my house since I just didn't know too much about cooking it. But now I feel like I have a crazy amount of ideas! Thanks for the very informative article!
Mamma C says
Hi Hayley - I'm glad this article on how to cook cod was helpful!
Andrea Metlika says
These are some great recipes for cod. Never thought it was so versatile but so glad it is.
Mamma C says
Hi Andrea - Thank you! Cod is super versatile and always delicious.
Chris Collins says
I'm an absolute cod lover, so this post is PERFECT for me! Thanks so much for all the details. I know what's for dinner tomorrow!
Mamma C says
Hi Chris - Enjoy!
Raia Todd says
I love cod, but I've never made it myself. Thanks for the tips!
Mamma C says
Hi Raia - I hope you try it! It's delicious.