21 Cod Recipes Perfect for Any Day of the Week

Need to shake things up at dinnertime? Try cod. It has a mild flavor that pairs well with a variety of seasonings, making it a great choice for everything from fish sticks to tacos.

December 20, 2022

By: Food Network Kitchen

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Our Best Ideas for Cod

Whether you’re trying to get a healthy weeknight dinner on the table or simply need a meal that’s ready fast, fish is always a great choice. Cod is one of our favorites; its mild flavor makes it incredibly versatile (try it in everything from fish tacos to skewers) and it can be a sustainable option. You’ll find that there are a number of easy ways to cook cod but we can’t get enough of crunchy, homemade fish sticks. Our secret? The air fryer. We season the breadcrumb coating with Pecorino Romano and seafood seasoning, adding just a spritz of oil to help the fish sticks crisp up nicely. Dip in tartar sauce or your favorite condiment and you’ve got a simple and satisfying fried fish dish in minutes.

Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Fish Sticks

Pan-Fried Cod with Slaw

Need an inspiration for a quick weeknight dinner? Crispy pan-fried cod, breaded with cracker meal and a pinch of cayenne pepper, is not only delicious but also easy to prepare. Serve it with a fresh slaw made from cabbage and apple.

Get the Recipe: Pan-Fried Cod with Slaw

Beer-Battered Fish and Chips

Our take on this classic British pub grub is just right. Rice flour, baking powder and beer in the batter keep the breading light and crisp, and making your own "chips" is definitely worth it. The double-frying method at two different oil temperatures ensures that the potatoes are perfectly golden and never soggy.

Get the Recipe: Beer-Battered Fish and Chips

Deviled Cod with Winter Greens

Serve this panko-crusted cod over kale and escarole for a delightful seafood dinner.

Get the Recipe: Deviled Cod with Winter Greens

Mediterranean Cod Packets

Baking fillets of cod with tomato, olives and herbs in parchment-paper packets ensures your fish will stay juicy while keeping it healthy.

Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Cod Packets

Oven-Baked Almond Fish Sticks

Crushed almonds and bran flakes replace a traditional breadcrumb coating in this lower-carb, protein-packed fish stick recipe. Serve these baked-not-fried bites with a side of your family's favorite marinara sauce for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Oven-Baked Almond Fish Sticks

Chili-Spiced Cod with Roasted Cabbage Slaw

The fantastic thing about cod is that its mild flavor means you can use just about any spices you like to season your fish. We like adding smoky (and not-too-spicy) ancho chile powder.

Get the Recipe: Chili-Spiced Cod with Roasted Cabbage Slaw

Roasted Cod with Artichokes

Simply roast thinly sliced potatoes and artichoke hearts in the oven with cod, until the veggies turn golden brown and the fish opaque.

Get the Recipe: Roast Cod with Artichokes

Pan-Seared Pacific Cod with Cilantro Vinaigrette and Creamed Corn

The trick in cooking cod over the stove is applying a hard sear on the outside to keep the center of the fish moist. Served over creamed corn with cilantro vinaigrette, perfectly cooked fillets of fish will never disappoint.

Get the Recipe: Pan Seared Pacific Cod with Cilantro Vinaigrette and Creamed Corn

Salt Cod Dip

A creamy spread of salt cod, potatoes and garlic is perfect for cracker dipping.

Get the Recipe: Salt Cod Dip

25-Minute Cod with Lentils

Lentils make a terrific bed for mild, meaty cod fillets. Simmer lentils with bacon and red wine to play up their earthy flavor; sliced celery stirred in at the end adds a fresh, crisp note.

Get the Recipe: 25-Minute Cod with Lentils

Tex Wasabi's Koi Fish Tacos

Tempura batter and panko breadcrumbs make a light and crispy coating for cod, a fish perfect for Guy's fish tacos.

Get the Recipe: Tex Wasabi's Koi Fish Tacos

30-Minute Cod with Lemony Braised Fennel

This elegant cod dish takes only 30 minutes to make. Save time by juicing the lemon and slicing the olives while the cod and fennel cook.

Get the Recipe: 30-Minute Cod with Lemony Braised Fennel

Oven-Fried Fish with Potato Salad

Hearty potato salad is a perfect companion for fillets of oven-fried cod. Serve this with celery leaves and lemon.

Get the Recipe: Oven-Fried Fish with Potato Salad

Pescabrat

Justin Warner uses a mix of scallops and cod to make these tasty seafood dogs. You don't need to bother with casings — he simply wraps them tightly with plastic wrap and cooks them in boiling water. After they've cooled, unwrap the pescabrats and finish them off on the grill.

Get the Recipe: Pescabrat

Asian Steamed Fish

Add bold, fresh flavor to your steamed fish dinner by sandwiching scallions and ginger in between two fish fillets before cooking. For spice and texture, top each dish with garlicky stir-fried jalapeno and bell pepper matchsticks.

Get the Recipe: Scallion and Ginger Steamed Fish

Bouillabaisse

This hearty fish stew consisting of shrimp, mussels and white fish (like cod) in a comforting tomato broth is a whole meal in a bowl. Serve the stew with toasted baguette slices and red pepper rouille for dipping.

Get the Recipe: Bouillabaisse

Fish Skewers with Basil Chimichurri

Any firm white fish, like cod, will work for Melissa d'Arabian's fish skewers. Serve them with a fresh basil and parsley dipping sauce that makes great use of in-season herbs.

Get the Recipe: Fish Skewers with Basil Chimichurri

Romesco Seafood Stew

Impress your friends and family at your next dinner party with this seafood stew with homemade romesco, made from hazelnut and paprika. The recipe recommends shrimp and mussels along with cod, but you can customize the stew as you like.

Get the Recipe: Romesco Seafood Stew

Grape Jelly-Glazed Black Cod

Imagine you're on Chopped and you open your mystery basket to find black cod. What do you do with it? We opted for max flavors by making a delicious marinade — and using it as a glaze and a sauce as well.

Get the Recipe: Grape Jelly-Glazed Black Cod

Coconut Fish Sticks

Who needs store-bought, frozen fish sticks when making them fresh at home is this easy? Add shredded coconut to the breading for extra crunch and nuttiness.

Get the Recipe: Coconut Fish Sticks