This fried cod is the best white fish you will ever have! Flavored simply with spices and olive oil, it’s healthy, gorgeous and irresistible.
Here’s a deliciously simple idea for a dinner full of surprises: fried cod! This white fish blew us away. Really! Cod is a wonderfully tender fish with a buttery flavor and this preparation couldn’t be easier or more amazing. Brush with paprika powder and a few other spices, then fry until tender and juicy. It takes less than 10 minutes to achieve restaurant quality taste! Serve with the drops drizzled on top and well… we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by this one too. More with cod? Try 15 cod recipes everyone will love.
Ingredients for the fried cod
This recipe only requires a few simple ingredients. I’ll be honest: I wasn’t expecting much when Alex made this recipe for me. But wow, does it offer a Mediterranean flavor. “Fried cod” isn’t the hottest dinner…until you taste it and realize that cod is totally underrated! There is no flour, breadcrumbs, or batter in this recipe: just spices! The ingredients for the fried cod are:
- cod fillets (as wild as possible)
- olive oil
- butter (or more olive oil, for dairy-free)
- Spices: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, celery seed
- lemon juice
- Salt
How does cod taste?
Here’s the thing. Cod has a mild, clean flavor that’s not “fishy” at all. In fact, it’s even sweeter than popular fish like salmon. Because of its accessible flavor, cod makes a great starter fish for people who think they don’t like fish. It is extremely versatile and lends itself to many different preparations, such as fish tacos or grilled cod.
Tips for preparing fried cod
Fried cod can be intimidating if you’ve never fried a fish before. But don’t worry: it takes less than 10 minutes and is really easy to make. Here are some tips you should know:
- Use your largest pan. This gives enough space for 4 nets. You can use cast iron, stainless steel, or non-stick for this recipe.
- A combination of olive oil and butter adds flavor. The pan with both types of fat brings depth. (You can use any olive oil for non-dairy products.)
- Cover with Magic Seasoning Mix. More on that below.
- Fry in the pan for 2 minutes, then turn and fry for another 2 minutes. You’ll know when it’s done when it starts to crumble when you pierce it with a fork.
The best seasoning for fried cod
There is no flour or batter in this recipe: just a blend of spices to bring out the lovely flavor. Here are some notes on the spice mix:
- spice mix: The spices are a blend based on our Magic Seafood Seasoning blend but simplified.
- smoked paprika This is the key! This Spanish take on peppers imparts a bright red color and hint of smoke to every bite. If you buy a jar, you can use it with these best smoked paprika recipes. If you can’t find it, you can use regular paprika powder: but smoked is much better.
More spice variations
Would you like to mix up the spices a bit? Here are some ideas for other spice blends that would work:
- Cajun Cod: Try adding 1-2 tbsp of this flavorful homemade Cajun seasoning (then reduce the kosher salt to ¾ tsp).
- Blackened cod: Sprinkle with 1-2 tablespoons blackened spice, a milder blend that still preserves the Cajun flavor. Also, reduce the salt to ¾ teaspoon.
Vary the white fish
It goes without saying, but feel free to vary the cod in this recipe! This preparation works with most types of whitefish. Try it with fillets of tilapia, mahi mahi, grouper, catfish or snapper.
Side dishes for fried cod
Not sure what to serve with that fried cod? Turn it into a healthy dinner by adding a few side dishes. Since it is a Mediterranean-style preparation, it offers many side dish ideas. Here are some we recommend:
This fried cod recipe is…
Pescetarian and gluten free. For non-dairy products, use olive oil (see below).
The description
This fried cod is the best white fish you will ever have! Flavored simply with spices and olive oil, it’s healthy, gorgeous and irresistible.
- 1 1/2 cod pound (4 fillets)
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika (also called paprika)*
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ⅛ teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tbsp Butter (or olive oil, for dairy-free)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Finely chopped Italian parsley for garnish
- In a small bowl, mix together smoked paprika powder, garlic powder, onion powder, celery seed, and kosher salt. Pat the cod dry and sprinkle the spices on all sides.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the butter and olive oil. When the butter has melted, add the cod and cook for 2 minutes.
- Flip the cod and pour the lemon juice over the fish. Cook an additional 1 to 2 minutes, until the cod is tender and begins to crumble when pierced with a fork (adjust depending on the thickness of the fillets). Remove from the stove and sprinkle with parsley. Serve immediately, drizzle with pan juices.
Remarks
*If you can’t find it, you can use sweet paprika. But the smoked paprika brings out the best flavor with a hint of smoke.
- Category: main course
- Method: Cook
- Kitchen: Mediterranean Sea
- Diet: Gluten free
More Mediterranean Diet Recipes
This fried cod is a great example of a Mediterranean diet recipe. This healthy diet focuses on plenty of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like olive oil, and fish and seafood. Here are some other great recipes related to the Mediterranean diet:
