How to cook cod

Cod has long been one of the most popular types of fish for traditional fish and chips, but it can be prepared in many other ways, too. Fresh cod is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and various essential nutrients, making it a nutritious choice when prepared correctly.

What is the best way to cook cod?

Atlantic cod can grow up to two metres in length and weigh as much as 90 kilos, so it is rare for even professional kitchens to cook whole fish. Therefore, people often focus on two forms of cod used for cooking, steaks and fillets. They can both be deep-fried, pan-fried, oven-baked, grilled or even barbecued.

Cooking cod in the oven

1. Start by melting some butter in a pan and then using it to brush or drizzle over your cod steaks or fillets.
2. Next, add a pinch of salt and pepper to season your fish before placing it in an ovenproof, shallow dish.
3. After that, place your dish into a preheated oven set at 200-220°C for 10 minutes.
4. Remove the cod from the oven temporarily, and sprinkle some lemon juice and water on top to help prevent it from drying out.
5. Finally, put your dish back into the oven to cook for a further 10 minutes. At this point, your fish should have a flaky texture with the flesh appearing opaque and white.

Cooking cod in a pan

Pan-frying is a straightforward method that can be used for recipes like this Pan-Fried Paprika Cod and Fennel Moqueca. Melt some butter in the pan until it covers the entire surface. Olive oil can also be used, for a more Mediterranean flavour. Either way, turn the heat down when placing the cod into the pan to prevent it from spitting. Once the fish is in the pan, return the heat to medium-high for cooking. If your cod has the skin on, cook skin-side down for a crispy texture. Use a fish slice to turn the cod over after 2-3 minutes of frying. Fried cod will turn into a golden colour, which indicates it is cooked. Cook for a further 2-3 minutes before serving.

Cooking cod in an air fryer

Cod is not only tasty but also crispy when cooked in an air fryer, offering a healthier alternative to deep-frying as it needs far less oil. Dry the cod with a kitchen paper towel before seasoning it with salt and pepper to ensure the seasoning sticks to the fish. Add a small knob of butter onto each fillet and place them all on the same level in your air fryer, with the skin on. For the best results, space the fish out evenly. Cooking cod in an air fryer takes about 10 minutes. After this time, check that the flesh flakes easily when pierced with a fork and has an opaque, white colour. If not, then continue air frying the fish for an additional minute or two, checking again before removing it.

Cooking cod in foil

Cooking in foil helps to seal in moisture and prevents the fish from drying out, making it especially handy if you have a fan-assisted oven. Wrapping cod in foil is suitable for oven cooking and barbecuing but not frying. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C.
2. While it is warming, place the cod onto a suitably sized sheet of foil.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the fish, season and add some chopped parsley.
4. Wrap the foil up, sealing it loosely so that some moisture can escape.
5. Place the foil parcels into the oven on a baking tray.

Alternatively, you can put them on a barbecue, ensuring all sides are exposed to the heat. Since this method traps heat and moisture, it takes about 15 minutes to cook in the oven and even less time on the barbecue. Allow the fish to rest in the foil for several minutes before carefully unwrapping the parcels.

How to cook cod fillets

Cod fillets and steaks can be cooked using the same methods outlined above. With or without the skin, cod can be cooked using the same techniques and timings. Note that poaching cod fillets is also possible if you want to make a sauce at the same time. Poaching in milk, for example, is possible in the oven or the hob.

How to cook frozen cod

Like most white fish, you can cook frozen cod without having to thaw it out. Thawing is preferable if you want to preserve the texture of the fish, but you can also save time by simply taking the cod out of the freezer and cooking it directly. Oven-baking frozen cod can take a little longer, adding 5-10 minutes of cooking, depending on the size of the fillets. If pan-frying frozen cod, allow for an extra couple of minutes per side. Turn the fish more frequently and lower the heat slightly to ensure the fish is cooked through to the middle.

FAQs

How should cod be cooked?

Cod is best cooked when fresh, as soon as possible after filleting. Poaching, frying, air frying, baking, and barbecuing cod in foil are all good methods.

What is the best cooking technique for cod?

Shallow frying and oven baking are both excellent alternatives to deep-frying cod in batter, but it comes down to personal preference in the end. You could also try baking cod in a pie, like this King Prawn and Cod Fish Pie recipe.

Does cod take a long time to cook?

No, it doesn’t because you tend to cook it in serving-sized fillets or steaks, which take about 20 minutes in the oven or 4-6 minutes when frying, depending on the thickness of the cut.