How To Cook Cod In A Pan

Want to make cod flakey and tender? Then, you’ll need some ingredients. The ingredients are easy to find, mostly from your kitchen. 

So, let’s take a look at what you need and start gathering accordingly: 

Cod Fillets

A cod’s weight can be anything from a small 1-2 pound fish to one that weighs more than 5 pounds. The smaller cods are usually tastier than the larger ones which have a tougher body and stronger taste.

If you want steaks go for the large cuts, but use the smaller ones when making fillets.

Olive Oil or Melted Butter

Use olive oil, melted butter, or any vegetable oil, whichever is easier for you. You’ll need these to fry the fish fillets. 

Salt

It is the ultimate flavor enhancer in the dishes that taste lively and tasteful. So, incorporate kosher salt, sea salt, or regular salt based on the accessibility. 

Seasonings

We’ve got a bunch of ingredients here. Start collecting fresh ground black pepper for hot kick, garlic powder, onion powder for extra flavoring, and red pepper for a more spicy taste. 

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice pierces the fillets making a way for seasonings to get into. That way fish tastes more delicious while eating.

It also gives a subtle tangy flavor so be mindful while adding it otherwise you’ll end up spoiling the whole fish. 

Soy Sauce (optional)

This one is mostly used for flavoring. So it is optional but if you like to make the fish more delicious, consider using soy sauce while marinating the fish. 

Fresh Herbs 

Foods with an aromatic fragrance pull us towards it. We'll do the same with cod. So, assemble some fresh herbs, and feel free to use parsley, dill, or oregano.

Tools Needed

• A Pan or Skillet
• Tongs
• Knife and Cutting Board
• Measuring Spoons
• Mixing Bowls and Serving Plates
• Paper Towels
• Thermometer (optional)

If anyone asks what is an easy way for cod recipes, I’d say panfrying. All it needs is a frying pan and some side tools. So, let’s learn how to make pan-fried cod at home:

Ingredients Measurements

• Cod Fillets: 1 and ½ pounds (4 fillets)
• Olive Oil or Butter: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: 1 teaspoon
• Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Red Pepper Flakes: ½ teaspoon (adjust to taste)
• Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon
• Soy Sauce: 1-2 teaspoons (optional)
• Fresh Herbs: 3-4 leaves for garnishing

Step 1: Prepare the Cod Fish

At first, rinse the fish fillets thoroughly in the water. This removes any dirt or impurities, making fish fillets clean. Wipe off any moisture using paper towels by laying the fillets on the cutting board. 

Slice off the fish if needed. Don’t make it too thin, an inch thickness is good. If it is already an inch thick, there is no need to do any slicing. 

Step 2: Season the Fish Fillets

Let’s make the plain fish flavorful. We’ll start mixing the seasonings in a bowl so, get a bowl and add salt, black pepper, garlic, and onion powder. Give a good mix.

If you’d like, add some red pepper for extra spicy. Once done, put the fish fillets into that bowl and coat them nicely with the seasonings, one fillet at a time when done put them on a plate and then proceed to others.

You can use a fork to further infuse the spices into the fish fillets but don’t overdo or the fillets might separate while cooking. 

Step 3: Heat the Pan

Let’s move towards the pan. Clean the pan and sit it on the stove for heating, use a stick or nonstick pan whichever is available. Once the pan heats, pour 2 tablespoons of butter or oil. 

Let the pan heat till the oil starts shimmering or the butter melts and it stops bubbling. This means that cod will be perfectly seared in this hot pan.

Step 4: Place the Cod in the Pan

Gently put the seasoned cod fillets in the hot pan. Fillets with skin should be placed with their skin side down first so that it becomes crisp. 

Make sure that there is enough space between each of the fish for even cooking and later ease of flipping.

Do not overcrowd the pan because that will cause steaming instead of searing.

Step 5: Cook the Fish

Cook the fish uninterrupted for 3-4 minutes. Do not touch or flip fish during that period that’s how a nice golden crust develops on the bottom of the fillet. 

The cooking time varies based on the thickness of the fish fillets and the cooking method. If we talk about oven-baked cod, they take about 10-15 minutes. 

Step 6: Flip the Fillets to the Other Side

Once the first stage of cooking is done, carefully hold the fillets using tongs and switch to the other side that way both sides get to cook evenly.

If fillets don’t flip easily that means they might need extra seconds of time for more cooking. 

So, take another 30 seconds before making another attempt at flipping it. A correctly seared piece of fish will come off the surface without any difficulty.

Step 7: Cook the Flipped Side

Cook the cod on its second side for an extra 2-3 minutes once flipped over. For thicker fillets, this may require extending time to 3-4 minutes.

The point is to create a golden-brown crust on each side and still have the fish cooked completely.

During this phase, carefully monitor the fillets so that they do not get overdone. As the cooking reaches the last minute, splash some soy sauce and cook for 1-2 minutes for extra flavorings. 

Step 8: Check for the Doneness

An evenly cooked fish becomes opaque and flakes off easily. So, take a fork and try separating the flesh it flakes easily, know that the fillets are ready. Otherwise, it’s a sign to cook them for an extra 1-2 minutes. 

Alternatively, use a kitchen thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the fish.

To do the doneness test, simply target the thickest part of the fillets and insert the thermometer into it, if it reads 145° F or 63° C, then it’s cooked nicely.

Step 9: Cool and Serve

When you finish cooking your fish as per your preference, remove the fillet from the pan and put it on the dish for serving.

Let it rest for approximately 60 seconds to allow its juices to mix making it moist and highly tasty. 

Once cooled, squeeze some lemon juices over the fish fillets and garnish with some chopped fresh herbs, this gives you a drooling experience.

Now, enjoy the cod fillets as it is, or pair them with rice or any dishes of your choice. 

There are a few measures that you should keep in mind while cooking Cod fish in a Pan, and they are:

• To avoid sticking and make flipping easy, use a non-stick or well-seasoned pan.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan with fillets, it won’t lead to even cooking. Cook in batches if needed.
• Turn over fish only once while cooking so that it holds its shape.
• For extra flavor, the optional step includes adding a small piece of butter during the last minute of the cooking process which can be used for basting purposes.
• Remove Cod immediately as soon as it is done

A perfectly cooked cod is not limited to the ingredients and their measurements, but how long you cook them literally changes the whole game. The time differs based on the size of the fish fillets. Also, the cooking method contributes here. 

For ease, we’ve brought a brief guide on 1-inch-thick cod fillets: 

• Pan-frying: 4-5 minutes per side
• Baking: 10-15 minutes 
• Grilling: 3-4 minutes per side
• Steaming: 10 minutes

Storage comes to the surface when we have leftover cooked cod or fresh ones. So, there's no way we'd let this healthy cod spoil. In both cases, look for the guidance here: 

Cooked Cod 

To store cooked cod fillets, first let them cool fully. Even a slight warmness brings contamination or bacterial growth if stored.

After cooling, wrap them in aluminum foil individually and put them inside an airtight jar then pop in the fridge, and pick the coolest spot. That way cooked cod goes fresh for 3-4 days. 

Want them to last for up to 3 months? Then, freezing is the right option.

Place the same cod-filled container in the freezer, maintaining a constant temperature of 0°F or lower. If not maintained, fillets won’t last long and start to spoil sooner. 

Raw Cod

Storage of raw cod is very simple. Initially, pat the fillets dry with paper towels because no moisture otherwise they get spoiled due to contamination. Give an hour of flash-freezing before moving further. 

Now, it is time to put them in zip-lock bags or airtight containers so bring them on and fill the containers with fillets. So, the preparation is all done. 

Head towards placing the bags or containers in the fridge or freezer whichever your goal calls for.

The fridge lasts them for a whole week whereas the freezer keeps them fresh for 6-8 months. 

How to cook frozen cod fillets? 

The cooking of frozen fillets is the same as that of the fresh ones. But there’s a work to do in case of frozen before cooking them. It is to reheat as it melts any icy crystals in the fillets and restores their fresh appearance. 

How to reheat? You can reheat them in the pan, oven, or microwave them. Give a splash of water or broth to prevent any dryness while reheating. 

Pan-fried cod fish taste delicious on their own. But eating the same way can be boring. So, we have some ideas to pair your flakey cod fish to enjoy various flavors on one plate. Here are they: 

Rice: This bland white rice enhances the flavors of the fish when served together. This gives you a stomach-filling sense and also feels light after eating. 

Steamed Asparagus: This healthy asparagus goes nicely with pan-fried fish fillets, making a more healthy and flavorful combo. 

Green Beans: Saute or roast a bowl of green beans and serve with cod fillets. There you have a bowl of light and nutritious snacks ready!

Mashed Potatoes: This energy-filled potato is a perfect side dish for cod fillets. Both supply a good source of energy to the body and keep you active all day. 

Pasta: Cook a plate of regular pasta with some cheese. Now pair this one with fried cod and make your day delightful. 

Marinara Sauce: Dip the fried fillets into marinara sauce to enjoy a blend of subtly sweet and tangy flavor.