26 Frozen Cod Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2024)

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26 Frozen Cod Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (1)Caroline StankoUpdated: Feb. 09, 2023

    These frozen cod recipes are perfect for when you need a satisfying meal in a flash.

    1/26

    German Brat Seafood Boil

    Grilled bratwurst and onion add a smoky flavor to corn, potatoes and fish for a hearty meal that’s always a hit with my family. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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    2/26

    Broiled Cod

    This is the easiest and tastiest fish you’ll serve. Even finicky eaters who think they don’t like fish will love it because it lacks a fishy taste and is beautiful and flakey. —Kim Russell, North Wales, Pennsylvania

    Not sure which brand of fish to buy? Check out the brands our editors and the Taste of Home Test Kitchen recommend.

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    3/26

    Taste of Home

    Fish and Fries

    "Tuck in" as if you're in a traditional British pub. These oven-baked, moist fish fillets have a fuss-free coating that's healthy but just as crunchy and golden as the deep-fried kind. Simply seasoned and also baked, the crispy fries are perfect on the side. —Janice Mitchell, Aurora, Colorado

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    4/26

    Taste of Home

    Easy Fish Tacos

    Searching for a lighter alternative to traditional fried fish, I came up with this crispy, crunchy fish tacos recipe. It's a hit with friends and family. —Jennifer Palmer, Rancho Cucamonga, California

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    5/26

    Taste of Home

    I love coming inside on a cold day and smelling this comforting seafood stew simmering in the kitchen. —Lydia Becker, Kansas City, Missouri

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    6/26

    Taste of Home

    Stuffed-Olive Cod

    Visit the olive bar in your supermarket to put a new twist on cod in this simple high-protein, low-fat entree that’s a weeknight lifesaver. — Tria Olsen, Queen Creek, Arizona

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    7/26

    Grilled Fish Sandwiches

    I season these fish fillets with lime juice and lemon pepper before grilling them. A simple honey mustard-mayonnaise sauce puts the sandwiches ahead of the rest. —Violet Beard, Marshall, Illinois

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    8/26

    Let's face it, everything really is better with bacon. I fry it, add cod fillets to the pan and finish it all with a big, tomato-y pop. —Maureen McClanahan, St. Louis, Missouri

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    9/26

    Homemade Fish Sticks

    I am a nutritionist and needed a healthy fish fix. Moist inside and crunchy outside, these are amazing with oven fries or roasted veggies and low-fat homemade tartar sauce. —Jennifer Rowland, Elizabethtown, Kentucky

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    10/26

    Citrus Cod

    We enjoy fish frequently, and this baked version has a tempting mild orange flavor. It comes out of the oven flaky and moist, and it's just the thing to make for a delightful light meal. — Jacquelyn Dixon, LaPorte, IA

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    11/26

    Taste of Home

    Cod and Asparagus Bake

    The lemon pulls this flavorful and healthy dish together. You can use grated Parmesan cheese instead of Romano if you'd like. —Thomas fa*glon, Somerset, New Jersey

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    12/26

    Greek Fish Bake

    As a military spouse living overseas, I got the chance to try many styles of cooking. Here's a Mediterranean-inspired recipe that we still love today. —Stacey Boyd, Springfield, Virginia

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    13/26

    Tomato-Basil Baked Fish

    This recipe works successfully with many kinds of fish, while the rest of the ingredients are things you’re likely to have on hand. Baked fish is so simple and so good for you. I make this often! —Annie Hicks, Zephyrhills, Florida

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    14/26

    Cod with Hearty Tomato Sauce

    My father made up this sweet, flavorful recipe for my mother when he took over the cooking. We serve it with whole wheat pasta or brown rice. —Ann Marie Eberhart, Gig Harbor, Washington

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    15/26

    Lemony Parsley Baked Cod

    The trick to avoid overcooking a good piece of fish is to cook it at a high temperature for a short amount of time. Do that and the fish stays moist and tender. —Sherry Day, Pinckney, Michigan

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    16/26

    My baked fish is a shoo-in when you want fish and chips without the frying mess. Dare I say, they're a little upgrade from the English pub classic. Get more of my recipe at cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com. —Reeni Pisano, Wappingers Falls, New York

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    17/26

    Baked Cod Piccata with Asparagus

    It takes longer for the oven to preheat than it does to prepare this delicious, good-for-you dish. While it’s baking, I throw together a quick salad. —Barbara Lento, Houston, Pennsylvania

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    18/26

    Southwestern Fish Tacos

    These bright tacos take me on an instant trip to sunny Southern California. The recipe has been on my family's most requested list for years. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

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    19/26

    Parmesan Baked Cod

    This is a goof-proof way to keep oven-baked cod moist and flavorful. My mom shared this recipe with me years ago and I've loved it ever since. —Mary Jo Hoppe, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

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    20/26

    My husband and I really like fish and chips, but not all the grease that typically comes along with it. I decided to give the classic dinner a makeover. Turns out the pickle dip is healthier than tartar sauce, and we like it a lot better—who knew? —Michelle Lucas, Cold Spring, Kentucky

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    21/26

    Lemon-Parsley Baked Cod

    After trying a few baked cod recipes, this was the first fish recipe that got two thumbs up from my picky meat-only eaters. The tangy lemon gives the cod fish some oomph. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

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    22/26

    Cod Delight

    I used to make this in the oven, but then I discovered that microwave lets me enjoy it even faster. It's a pretty dish to serve company. In fact, many of my friends and family now cook this at home. —Nancy Daugherty, Cortland, Ohio

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    23/26

    Taste of Home

    Artichoke Cod with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

    Cod is a fabulous break from really rich dishes that take so long to prepare. I like to serve this dish over a bed of greens, pasta or quinoa. A squeeze of lemon gives it another layer of freshness. —Hiroko Miles, El Dorado Hills, California

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    24/26

    Cioppino-Style Soup

    This classic San Fransisco soup makes an easy, healthy and flavorful dinner. I serve it every New Year's Eve, and I'll often include salmon along with the cod, shrimp and crab. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

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    25/26

    Taste of Home

    Pan-Seared Cod

    Cod has a soft, buttery appeal that goes with cilantro, onions and crunchy pine nuts. This pan-seared cod is the easiest preparation I’ve found. —Lucy Lu Wang, Seattle, Washington

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    26/26

    Oven-Fried Fish Nuggets

    My husband and I love fried fish, but we're both trying to cut back on dietary fat. I came up with this oven-baked version. He likes it as much as deep-fried fish, so I know it's a winner. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma

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    Originally Published: August 16, 2018

    26 Frozen Cod Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (27)

    Caroline Stanko

    Caroline has been with Taste of Home for the past seven years, working in both print and digital. After starting as an intern for the magazine and special interest publication teams, Caroline was hired as the third-ever digital editor for Taste of Home. Since then, she has researched, written and edited content on just about every topic the site covers, including cooking techniques, buzzy food news, gift guides and many, many recipe collections. Caroline also acts as the editorial lead for video, working with the Test Kitchen, videographers and social media team to produce videos from start to finish.When she’s not tip-tapping on a keyboard, Caroline is probably mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooking up a multi-course feast (sometimes all at once). Though she technically lives in Milwaukee, there is a 50/50 chance Caroline is in Chicago or southwest Michigan visiting her close-knit family.

    26 Frozen Cod Recipes to Make for Dinner Tonight (2024)

    FAQs

    How do you cook frozen cod so it's not rubbery? ›

    Temperature is the key to making sure your frozen cod doesn't turn out rubbery or chewy. No matter how you cook it, be sure that your cod reaches an internal temperature of 145˚F as measured by a food thermometer. At this temperature, its flesh will be opaque white and flake easily when pressed with a fork.

    Can you cook cod straight from frozen? ›

    Cooking frozen cod in the oven is a convenient and time-saving option that doesn't compromise on taste. With these simple steps, you can have a healthy and satisfying seafood dinner on the table in no time. So the next time you find yourself with frozen cod, don't hesitate to whip up a delicious oven-baked meal.

    Should frozen cod be thawed before cooking? ›

    It's true, you don't! You can skip the thawing process altogether and cook frozen fish straight from the freezer. You'll have to add a few minutes to the cook time in your recipe to account for the lack of thawing, but you can poach, steam, bake, broil, or grill fish straight from the freezer!

    What is the best cooking technique for cod? ›

    Try a gentle cooking method: Instead of adding fat, you can also try a gentle cooking method like steaming or cooking en papillote. Both of these methods help to preserve Pacific cod's high moisture content and produce incredibly tender results.

    How can I make frozen fish fillets taste better? ›

    Use Milk. Thawing out fish fillets in milk is another great overnight hack! Again, this should be done in the refrigerator, not out on the counter, but the fat in milk helps further remove any “fishy” flavors and adds a milk sweetness to the flesh. Just make sure to use either whole or 2% milk.

    Is cod better in the oven or pan? ›

    But more importantly, pan frying yields that deliciously browned exterior on both sides of the fish. Baking or steaming won't accomplish that same golden “crust.” Pro Tips for pan frying cod: Let fish sit at room temp in a colander to drain any excess water, particularly if your fish was previously frozen.

    Why is my frozen cod mushy? ›

    Once thawed, fish can sometimes have a mushy texture. This can happen if you submerge the fish directly in water without tightly sealing it in plastic, so avoid doing this.

    How do you prepare frozen cod? ›

    1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
    2. Remove frozen fish from all packaging and rinse under cold running water to remove any ice crystals.
    3. Arrange fish in a single layer on a baking sheet. Brush lightly with oil on all sides.
    4. Bake for 4-5 minutes. ...
    5. Continue to bake until hot and flaky in the center, about 8-12 more minutes.
    Jan 2, 2024

    How do you season frozen fish? ›

    Pat it Dry: Use a paper towel to pat the fish dry. This will help seasoning or a marinade to stick to it. Removing this moisture will also help it to sear nicely. Don't Forget Seasoning: Lightly brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

    Why is my cod rubbery? ›

    Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

    What happens if you cook frozen fish without thawing? ›

    Cooking fish fillets straight from the freezer may produce a slightly different texture than fresh fish, depending on which recipes you are cooking, so we would advise on planning things ahead and gently thawing your fish if possible, in order to get keep quality at its best.

    How to cook fish from frozen in the oven? ›

    Pat them dry, seasoning them as you desire. Place the seasoned frozen fish fillets in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Leave at least an inch of space between each fillet. Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the fish for about 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fillets.

    Should you rinse cod before cooking? ›

    Washing raw fish carries the same risks as washing poultry — by attempting to clean your seafood in the sink, you're actually spreading harmful bacteria to surfaces that likely won't be sanitized by heat or disinfectants before they come into contact with other food, according to Reader's Digest.

    What makes cod taste good? ›

    Cod is a beautifully mild and buttery-flavored fish and this preparation couldn't be easier or more stunning. Coat it in paprika and a few other spices, then pan fry it until tender and juicy. It takes under 10 minutes to get restaurant-quality flavor!

    Why do you cook cod in milk? ›

    Poaching the fish in milk adds a rich flavor and creates a creamy poaching liquid that you can spoon over the cooked fish. All you need is fish of your choice, whole milk, and a little salt. Then you can choose to poach the fish on the stove, in the oven, or even in the microwave.

    Why is my cod tough and rubbery? ›

    Overcooked fish loses its natural moisture, which can result in a dry and chewy texture. The proteins in the fish also begin to tighten, which can make the fish tough and rubbery. In addition, overcooked fish can have a severe lack of flavor, as the heat causes the natural oils in the fish to evaporate.

    Why is my frozen fish rubbery? ›

    The drastic change in temperature will defrost your salmon & seafood with a tough, rubbery texture. What's even worse is some thinner parts might actually end up getting slightly cooked…

    How do you make fish not rubbery? ›

    Cooking fish at a low temperature reduces the risk of overcooking it by leaving you with more wiggle room with regards to cooking time. An extra 2-3 minutes at high heat on the stove top could be the difference between a perfectly cooked piece of fish and one that is tough, mealy, and grossly overdone.

    How do you keep fish from getting rubbery? ›

    Always pat seafood dry with a paper towel or clean tea towel before cooking. Soaking up water on the outside can prevent fish from having a mushy texture. Most of all, it helps shrimp, scallops, and fish get nice and crispy.

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