There’s something quietly magical about weeknight dinners—the way you settle into the kitchen after a busy day, maybe with music playing and the hum of life in the background. Cod is my weeknight hero; it cooks quickly, adapts to so many flavors, and (thankfully) pleases everyone at the table, even the picky eaters. The best part? With a little creativity, those simple fillets instantly become something special. These 13+ Cod Recipes That Make Weeknight Dinners Feel Special are ones I’ve reached for when I wanted dinner to feel just a bit brighter, whether it’s a Tuesday or any other day that calls for easy comfort.
Why You’ll Love It:
If you want something light, fresh, and absolutely hands-off, this baked lemon herb cod is perfect. I make it when I have fresh herbs on hand or lemons that need using. It’s lovely for a casual weeknight but nice enough to serve if someone stops by.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets (5–6 ounces each)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange cod fillets on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Top each fillet with lemon slices and half the herbs.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until fish flakes easily.
- Sprinkle with remaining fresh herbs before serving.
Flavor Boost: Add a dusting of smoked paprika or a splash of white wine before baking.
Crispy Cod Tacos with Slaw
Why You’ll Love It:
Taco night feels festive, and crispy cod tacos are always a crowd-pleaser—plus, they’re quick to assemble and disappear fast. I pull this out when we’re craving something fresh but playful, even when it’s just the two of us.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 lb cod fillets, cut into strips
- 1 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 avocado, sliced
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
How to Make It:
- Season cod strips with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Dredge cod in flour, dip in egg, then coat with panko.
- Fry in a skillet with oil over medium heat until golden, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- Mix cabbage, mayo, and lime juice for the slaw.
- Warm tortillas and assemble with crispy cod, slaw, avocado, and cilantro.
Serving Idea: Perfect with a side of Mexican street corn or black beans.
One-Pan Mediterranean Cod with Tomatoes & Olives
Why You’ll Love It:
This is dinner in a single pan, practically no cleanup. There’s a tangy, savory thing going on with the olives and tomatoes that makes cod feel restaurant-worthy without fussy prep.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh basil, chopped, for garnish
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In an ovenproof skillet, toss tomatoes, olives, onion, garlic, oil, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Nestle cod fillets into the tomato mixture.
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, until fish flakes easily.
- Sprinkle with fresh basil.
Best Pairings: Serve with crusty bread and a simple green salad.
Cod à la Provençale
Why You’ll Love It:
When you want something a touch fancy but totally unfussy, this classic French-inspired dish comes together with pantry basics and feels like a mini escape to the coast.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup black olives, pitted and halved
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh thyme for garnish
How to Make It:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.
- Add bell pepper, tomatoes, thyme, olives, and capers. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Nestle in the cod fillets, season, and cover. Cook 10–12 minutes, until fish flakes.
- Serve with fresh thyme and toasted bread.
Flavor Boost: Add a splash of dry white wine to the sauce before simmering.
Cod Chowder
Why You’ll Love It:
Creamy, comforting chowder is a weeknight savior on cool nights. It’s essentially a big hug in a bowl, using cod for tenderness and gentle flavor. Leftovers are even better the next day.
Serving size: Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 1.5 lbs cod, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1.5 cups milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make It:
- Melt butter in a large pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until soft.
- Stir in flour and cook 1 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in broth; add potatoes and thyme. Simmer 15 minutes.
- Add cod and simmer until fish is opaque, about 8 minutes.
- Stir in milk and cream. Heat gently (don’t boil). Season and serve with parsley.
Meal Prep Tip: Reheats beautifully—just store in the fridge up to 3 days.
Crispy Baked Cod Nuggets
Why You’ll Love It:
Children and adults both go crazy for these golden little bites. They’re healthier than takeout, bake up easily, and can be dunked in anything from ketchup to homemade tartar sauce.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 lb cod, cut into 1.5-inch chunks
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Oil spray
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
- Mix panko with paprika, garlic powder, and salt.
- Dredge cod in flour, dip in egg, then roll in panko.
- Place on baking sheet and spray lightly with oil.
- Bake 18–20 minutes until golden and crisp.
Swap This With That: Try using gluten-free panko for an allergy-friendly option.
Miso-Glazed Broiled Cod
Why You’ll Love It:
This is my “dinner feels fancy but it’s actually fast” trick. The sweet–savory miso glaze gives cod an almost caramelized shell, making it special for date nights or even solo dinners.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 2 tablespoons white miso paste
- 1.5 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 scallion, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
How to Make It:
- Whisk miso, honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil to make glaze.
- Pat cod dry and brush glaze generously over fillets.
- Place on foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 7–10 minutes, until golden edges form.
- Serve with scallions and sesame seeds over rice.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t over-broil—the glaze can burn quickly.
Cod Piccata
Why You’ll Love It:
This zippy, lemon-caper pan sauce is a refreshing twist on a classic chicken piccata. It’s a weeknight meal that truly wakes up your appetite and cooks faster than you’d expect.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 1/2 cup flour
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper
How to Make It:
- Dredge cod in flour, season with salt and pepper.
- Melt butter with oil in pan, cook cod 3–4 minutes each side; set aside.
- Sauté garlic briefly, then add broth, lemon, capers; simmer 2 minutes.
- Return cod to pan, spoon sauce over, cook 2 more minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve.
Best Pairings: Serve with angel hair pasta and sautéed spinach.
Garlic Butter Cod with Green Beans
Why You’ll Love It:
One pan and less than half an hour—this is real weeknight gold. Cod and green beans roast together with garlicky butter, and clean-up feels almost nonexistent.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 16 minutes
Total Time: 26 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 3 cups fresh green beans, trimmed
- 3 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lemon, cut in wedges
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Arrange cod and green beans on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Mix melted butter, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over everything.
- Roast 16 minutes until fish is flaky and beans are tender.
- Finish with parsley and lemon wedges.
Meal Prep Tip: Leftover beans make a tasty salad addition the next day.
Classic New England Fish & Chips
Why You’ll Love It:
Crispy cod, golden fries—sometimes you just crave the traditional. This homemade version is both lighter and more flavorful than any takeout. It’s a little nostalgic, takes some teamwork, and is always worth it.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 1.5 lbs cod fillets, cut into thick strips
- 1 cup flour, plus extra for dredging
- 1 cup beer (or sparkling water)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 4 large russet potatoes, cut in fries
- Sea salt
How to Make It:
- Soak potato fries in cool water 30 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
- Heat oil in deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chips in batches until golden, drain on paper towels, salt lightly.
- For fish, whisk flour, beer, baking powder, salt for batter.
- Dredge cod in flour, dip in batter, fry in small batches until crispy and golden.
- Serve with chips, lemon wedges, and tartar sauce.
Budget-Friendly Tip: Swap beer for seltzer water to save and keep it super light.
Spanish-Style Cod with Chickpeas
Why You’ll Love It:
Hearty, warming, and gently spiced—this skillet meal is a whole dinner in one and is especially comforting on chilly nights. It’s also budget-friendly and satisfying.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley
How to Make It:
- Heat oil in skillet. Sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add chickpeas, tomatoes, paprika, cumin. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Add spinach, stir until wilted.
- Nestle cod fillets on top, cover, and cook 10–12 minutes until fish flakes.
- Garnish with parsley.
Serving Idea: Spoon over cooked quinoa or brown rice.
Panko-Parmesan Crusted Cod
Why You’ll Love It:
This one has a crunchy, cheesy crust that’s perfect for those who want “just a little more flavor.” It takes no more effort than regular baked fish but feels a little elevated for the table.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Mix panko, parmesan, olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Stir mayo and Dijon together and brush on fillets.
- Press panko mixture onto tops of cod pieces.
- Bake 13–15 minutes, until topping is golden and fish is flaky.
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t skip the mayo–Dijon layer; it helps the crust adhere and keeps the fish moist.
Brothy Cod with Ginger & Greens
Why You’ll Love It:
Light, healthy, and absolutely soothing, this brothy cod is ideal after a busy day or when you want something that almost feels like comfort food but not heavy. Toss in any leafy greens you have.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- Salt and pepper
How to Make It:
- Heat broth in a large pot with ginger and mushrooms, simmer 5 minutes.
- Add spinach and soy sauce. Stir until wilted.
- Gently slide in cod fillets, cover and poach for 8–10 minutes, until opaque.
- Serve in bowls with broth, topped with scallions.
Meal Prep Tip: Keep extra broth on hand—it’s tasty as a simple soup with noodles for lunch.
Cod Cakes with Dill Yogurt Sauce
Why You’ll Love It:
These are perfect for using up leftover cod, or anytime you want to make fish a little more fun finger-food style. I serve these with a tangy sauce for dipping—and they freeze well too.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 1 lb cooked cod, flaked
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs, plus more for coating
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil for frying
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
How to Make It:
- Mix cod, potatoes, green onions, egg, panko, mustard, salt, and pepper in bowl.
- Form mixture into small patties, dredge in extra panko.
- Heat olive oil in skillet and fry cakes until golden, 4–5 minutes per side.
- Mix yogurt, dill, and lemon juice for sauce. Serve alongside cakes.
Personal Note: These are a go-to during lent or after a fish fry when there’s leftover cod.
Thai Coconut Cod Curry
Why You’ll Love It:
If you want a dinner that’s both comforting and gently exotic, coconut cod curry is a weeknight favorite. The creamy coconut milk, mild spice, and flaky fish are pure comfort.
Serving size: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients Needed:
- 4 cod fillets
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon red curry paste
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cups baby spinach
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
How to Make It:
- Heat oil in skillet, add curry paste and bell pepper, sauté 2 minutes.
- Stir in coconut milk, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice.
- Place cod fillets into sauce, cover and simmer 12–15 minutes until cooked.
- Add spinach, stir to wilt, season to taste.
- Garnish with cilantro and lime.
Swap This With That: Use green curry paste for a different flavor twist.
FAQ
How do I know when cod is cooked through?
Cod is done when it turns opaque and flakes easily with a fork. Depending on thickness, this usually takes just a few minutes per side—be careful not to overcook.
Is frozen cod okay to use for these recipes?
Absolutely. Just thaw it completely in the fridge, pat it dry, and use as you would fresh. Frozen cod is affordable and perfect for weeknight cooking.
What’s the best way to store leftover cooked cod?
Let it cool, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Flaky dishes like chowder or cod cakes work especially well as leftovers.
Can I swap cod for another type of fish?
Sure—you can use similar mild, flaky white fish like haddock, pollock, or tilapia. Just adjust the cooking time as needed; some fillets are a bit thinner or thicker than cod.
Conclusion
Whether you want wholesome comfort, a little flavor adventure, or just a break from routine, these weeknight cod recipes make dinner feel a bit more special without extra stress. Cod’s gentle flavor is the ultimate canvas for herbs, spices, crunchy coatings, and brothy bowls. However you cook it, trust that you’re bringing something satisfying to your table. If you try even one new cod recipe this week, I hope it turns an ordinary night into something memorable. Happy cooking—don’t be afraid to put your own spin on these and enjoy every bite.
