When people ask me for cooking tips, whether they are new to cooking or have been cooking for years but have gotten stuck in a recipe rut, one of my best pieces of advice is to start with something simple and healthy, like Baked Cod. Once you master it, use it to make other recipes that are similar to it. This way, your meals stay interesting and your recipe collection grows.
While this is usually good advice, it can be hard to see a recipe in a different light when you are used to cooking the same thing over and over again. This is true even if your full-time job is writing recipes!
Case-in-point: I have long loved and frequently make baked fish for dinner. It’s easy, it’s healthy, and Ben and I both adore it.
When I think of baked fish, however, my brain gets stuck on my go-to Baked Salmon in Foil. It’s a great recipe that you can keep fresh by making it in different ways. Some ideas are Spicy Baked Salmon, Grilled Salmon in Foil, and Lemon Pepper Salmon.
It’s time for me to follow my own advice and try something new with baked cod. I’m tired of thinking about baking cod in foil.
Even though I’ve made grilled cod, pan-fried cod, and crispy cod like this Fish and Chips (baked cod with a panko topping), I still hadn’t come up with something new.
While on its face, this baked cod recipe is simple, the finishes around it make it superb.
It only takes less than 40 minutes to make this healthy baked cod recipe, which tastes great and is full of good things for you.
It will surprise and please you in a way that you might not expect from a fish as humble as cod.
Cod fish is an extremely versatile and delicious white fish that works well in a variety of dishes. But figuring out what to serve with cod can be tricky. You want a side dish that will complement the cod’s flaky texture and mild flavor instead of overpowering it.
In this article we’ll give you 21 amazing side dish ideas to serve with cod fillets. Whether you’re baking, frying, grilling or poaching your cod these side dishes will perfectly round out your meal.
Traditional Pairings for Cod Fish
Before we dive into the side dishes, let’s look at some of the most classic pairings for cod:
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Tartar Sauce – Tartar sauce is a creamy, tangy condiment usually made with mayonnaise dill pickles, capers onions and lemon juice. It’s a typical accompaniment for fried cod dishes like fish and chips. The richness balances the crispy fried coating.
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French Fries – French fries are another staple pairing with fried cod, especially the classic fish and chips dish. Crispy, hot french fries complement the crunchy exterior of fried cod.
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Coleslaw – The tangy creaminess of coleslaw nicely cuts through the richness of fried cod. It also adds color and crunch.
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Lemon – A squeeze of lemon brightens up baked or grilled cod recipes. Lemon accentuates the flavor of the cod without overpowering it.
Now let’s look at 21 amazing side dishes that complement cod fish beautifully.
21 Side Dishes to Serve with Cod
1. Buttered New Potatoes
Buttery boiled new potatoes are a simple, delicious side for baked or grilled cod. The potatoes soak up the butter nicely and offer a contrasting creamy texture to flaky cod.
2. Rice Pilaf
A rice pilaf seasoned with herbs, garlic or citrus makes a nice base for baked cod fillets. The light fluffiness of the rice balances the fish.
3. Roasted Vegetables
Roasting vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash or cauliflower caramelizes their natural sugars and pairs nicely with cod’s mild flavor.
4. Garlic Mashed Cauliflower
For a lower carb option, try mashed cauliflower seasoned with garlic in place of mashed potatoes. The garlic seasoning pairs beautifully with cod.
5. Quinoa Salad
A protein-packed quinoa salad with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and lemon vinaigrette provides a zesty, refreshing side for cod dishes.
6. Steamed Asparagus
Quick-steamed asparagus sprinkled with lemon juice and grated parmesan cheese makes an elegant and tasty side.
7. Garlic Green Beans
Sautéed green beans cooked with garlic complement both the texture and flavor of cod fillets.
8. Creamed Spinach
Creamed spinach has a rich, decadent texture that balances flaky baked cod wonderfully.
9. Roasted Broccoli
Roasted broccoli florets caramelize and sweeten beautifully. The charred edges add great texture and flavor next to cod.
10. Herb Salad
A simple salad of mixed greens, cucumbers and herbs like dill, chives or parsley work nicely with cod’s delicate flavor.
11. Baked Acorn Squash
Baked acorn squash halves filled with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon offer natural sweetness and warmth alongside cod.
12. Creamed Corn
Creamed corn is rich and sweet – a nice contrast to hot, crispy fried cod fillets.
13. Coleslaw
Tangy, creamy coleslaw with shredded cabbage and carrots is a classic fried cod accompaniment. The crunch balances the texture.
14. Mac and Cheese
Gooey, cheesy mac and cheese makes a supremely comforting side dish with baked or fried cod.
15. Fried Okra
For Southern flair, try crispy fried okra spears with cod. The crunch and unique flavor complement cod perfectly.
16. Tartar Sauce
As mentioned, homemade tartar sauce with pickles, capers and herbs is an ideal condiment for fried cod dishes.
17. Collard Greens
Slow-cooked collard greens flavored with bacon and hot sauce make a hearty, delicious side for cod fillets.
18. Cornbread
Warm cornbread served alongside fried cod soaks up any extra sauce or drippings deliciously.
19. Boston Baked Beans
Savory Boston baked beans simmered with bacon and molasses work nicely as a unique pairing for cod.
20. Cajun Dirty Rice
For a spicy Cajun-style meal, try cod with flavorful dirty rice made with ground beef, peppers and seasoning.
21. Hushpuppies
Crispy, deep-fried hushpuppy cornmeal dumplings complement fried cod dishes perfectly.
As you can see, the possibilities for sides to serve with cod fillets are nearly endless! From traditional pairings like fries and coleslaw, to creative roasted veggie medleys, zesty salads and comforting starches like mac and cheese, there are so many ways to complement cod’s delicate flavor.
No matter if you’re baking, broiling, grilling or frying your cod, you’re sure to find a delicious side dish match among these 21 recipes. So next time you make cod for dinner, try out a new side dish option from this list! Your cod will taste better than ever.
How to Cook Perfect Cod Fillet
Now that you’ve got some tasty side dishes in mind, let’s go over quick tips for cooking up tender, flaky cod fillets:
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For lean, moist cod, it’s best to opt for quick cooking methods like baking, broiling, grilling or pan-searing. Slow braising tends to dry out cod.
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Brush cod fillets lightly with oil or melted butter before cooking to keep them from drying out.
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If baking cod, aim for 400°F for 10-15 minutes depending on thickness. Broil for just 6-8 minutes per side.
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Flip cod halfway through cooking. Cod should turn opaque and flake easily when done.
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Be very careful not to overcook cod or it will become tough. Check often for doneness.
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Season cod simply with just salt, pepper, herbs and a squeeze of lemon so as not to overwhelm the delicate flavor.
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For an awesome crust, coat cod in panko breadcrumbs before pan-frying or baking.
Follow these tips and your cod fillets will turn out tender and delicious each time. Pair them with any of the suggested side dishes for an easy, tasty meal.
Simple Baked Cod and Rice Pilaf Recipe
To give you an idea of how to serve up cod with complementary sides, here’s a simple recipe for Baked Cod with Herb Rice Pilaf:
Ingredients:
- 4 cod fillets (about 6 oz each)
- 1⁄4 cup olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions:
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Preheat oven to 400°F.
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Pat cod fillets dry and brush both sides with 2 tablespoons olive oil.
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In a small bowl, combine basil, thyme, paprika and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Sprinkle seasoning mixture evenly over cod fillets.
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Place cod on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 12-14 minutes until opaque and flaky.
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Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and garlic and cook 1 minute, stirring frequently.
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Add broth and 1⁄2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
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Remove rice from heat and stir in parsley. Season with more salt and pepper if desired.
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Serve cod over the herbed rice pilaf. Enjoy!
This simple recipe allows the mild cod flavor to shine through while the rice pilaf offers a bright, herbal complement. Mix up the herb seasoning on the cod and rice to switch things up.
Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a full meal. I hope these tips help you serve up the perfect cod dinner! Let us know if you have any other favorite side dishes for cod fillets. Enjoy!
Recommended Tools to Make Baked Cod
- Baking Dish. This one is beautiful and the right size for this recipe!
- Citrus Juicer. My #1 tip for juicing lemons and limes with ease.
- Instant Read Thermometer. The best way to make sure your fish is fully cooked
I’m going to follow my own advice and make many variations of this baked cod in the future, once I get tired of this one, which hasn’t happened yet.
If you make this baked cod from Italy, please let me know how it turned out. Your comments and 5-star reviews make my day and help the site too!.
What to Serve with Cod
Here are some of my favorite ideas for what tastes good with cod fish:
