Best Baked Cod In Foil With Vegetables and Chimichurri Sauce

Delicious baked cod fillets, seasoned to perfection and wrapped in foil with a variety of colorful and tender vegetables. You can cook the fish in the oven or on the grill, I provide instructions for both methods.

For finishing touches, we like to top our fish with spicy and herbal Chimichurri sauce (just 5 min to make). An all-dinner-in-one recipe you'll want to keep!

Indulge in these delightful fish fillets, bursting with rich flavors, and relish their natural goodness without the hassle of adding any breading to the fish! If you rather like more crispy style fish fillets, try our Tilapia made in Air Fryer.

⭐ For busy weeknights, we love our seafood dinners more than anything. From our Shrimp, 2-minute Tuna steak or Salmon, this baked fish is sure to become your favorite too.

Why We Like Cod

Cod is a popular mild white fish with a firm texture. It can be cooked in various ways like fish and chips or grilling, offering a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

If you're looking for alternatives, consider using Tilapia as a substitute for cod.

It can provide similar results in terms of flavor and cooking versatility. Another option is haddock, which offers thicker fillets that can be equally delicious.

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Ingredients

• Cod -  small, mild, and flaky fish that bakes very fast in the oven. You can use a thawed frozen bag of cod fillets or substitute it with similar fish alternatives such as haddock, halibut, or tilapia. Just keep in mind, that cooking time may vary depending on the type and size of fish used.
• Vegetables - feel free to choose your favorites, in addition to carrots, potatoes, and bell peppers you can also add baby bella mushrooms or zucchini, or summer squash (these should be cut into thicker cubes or thicker slices as they cook very fast in love). For potatoes and carrots, slice them thinly so they can cook through. 
• Note on potatoes - To ensure thorough cooking, use new potatoes or, for older potatoes, slice them very thinly instead.
• Cod Seasoning - the easiest way is to use prepacked dried herbs such as Herbs de Provence. Or use a combination of at least 2 different herbs such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, tarragon, dill, parsley, or cilantro. For additional flavor, you can add fresh garlic cloves, but it is optional and chimichurri already has garlic in it.
• Lemon - lemon goes well with any seafood. It adds freshness and tangy flavor to the cod. We like to add a slice or two on top of fish fillets right before baking. To intensify the citrusy notes you can drizzle the fish with more lemon before or after baking or use the addition of 1-2 lemon zest mixed in olive oil and herb mixture.
• This is a healthier version of fish fillets without heavy breading, or panko. For added flavor, we like to serve it with Chimichurri Sauce or top the fish with a little shaved parmesan cheese before serving. 
• Use seasoned salt to add more flavor to the fish.

How to Make Oven Baked Cod

Let’s learn how to cook cod fish in a few easy steps.

If using frozen cod fillets, allow them to thaw in cold water before use. They defrost pretty quickly. Pat dry the cod with paper towels before seasoning and baking. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

In a small bowl combine olive oil, salt, black pepper, and dried herbs. If you like the lemony flavor you can add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the mix. But this is optional as we are going to add a slice for the fish later.

If using garlic, add it now.

Add all the veggies to a mixing bowl and drizzle with herb oil mixture until fully coated.

Massage the cod fillets with an oil mixture as well.

Prepare aluminum foil sheets enough for 1 portion of veggies and fish. Place the veggies in foil and gently fold to close the packets.

Bake the veggies in preheated oven for 15 minutes, then carefully open the foil packets and top with fish fillets, one per packet. Add a slice of butter and a lemon slice on top of the fish.

Bake for another 15-20 minutes until vegetables are fork tender and fish flaky.

Serve the cod with more lemon wedges on the side and basted with a generous amount of homemade chimichurri sauce.

Alternatively, this baked fish and veggies can be cooked in one single baking dish covered in foil. Follow the same steps as instructed but instead of foil packets place everything in a casserole.

Depending on what veggies you’ll be using you can add everything together and bake until the fish flaky and the veggies tender.

Grilled Cod In Foil Instructions

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

If you’ll be using potatoes and carrots, I recommend baking them separately from fish as these require a longer time to bake. (See instructions and notes above) 

Place the packets on the grill, close, and cook for 15 to 20  minutes until the fish is cooked through and flaky and the vegetable tender.

Does Baked Cod Taste Fishy?

Contrary to the misconception, cod does not possess a fishy taste. It actually offers a pleasant, mild, and delicate flavor, distinct from the strong taste and aroma typically associated with fish, such as salmon or tuna.

However, it's important to note that the taste can still vary based on the freshness and quality of the cod being used.

📋 How to know when cod is done? Cod fillets should turn opaque and flake easily with a fork when fully cooked. Or you can use a kitchen thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the fillet and it should register an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celcius).

Freezing And Storing Instructions

What Sauces Go Well With Cod?

• Lemon Butter Sauce - the classic for many seafood recipes. 
• Pesto sauce or Chimichurri sauce.
• Tartar sauce - think healthier fish and chips and mushy beans. Yum!
• Creamy yogurt-based dill sauce.
• Garlic butter.
• Beurre Blanc - a classic French sauce made by reducing vinegar and/or white wine with shallots, then whisking in softened whole butter off the heat. The result is a warm emulsified butter sauce with a rich and creamy texture.

Variations

In addition, to using different sauces, you can choose your own Cod seasonings. Skip the Mediterranean twist with Herbs de Provence and use these seasonings instead. Use about 2-3 teaspoons (instead of 4 teaspoons) or to taste.

• Barbecue Cod - use a classic blend of BBQ meat seasoning with smoky and savory spices to coat the cod and the veggies.
• Mexican-style Cod - use my Taco Seasoning for this.
• Cajun Cod - try this spicy Cajun Seasoning for added kick of heat.

Delicious Seafood Recipes

• Baked Trout In Honey Mustard
• 2 minute Air Fryer Tuna Steak
• Skillet Fried Salmon Patties
• Sweet Chili Garlic Shrimp

For a full collection hop on to our Dinner recipe collection.

Recipe Card

Best Baked Cod In Foil With Vegetables and Chimichurri Sauce

Julia

Delicious baked cod fillets, seasoned to perfection and wrapped in foil with a variety of colorful and tender vegetables. You can cook the fish in the oven or on the grill, I provide instructions for both methods. For finishing touches, we like to top our fish with spicy and herbal Chimichurri sauce.

5 from 8 votes

Print SaveSaved! Pin

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine international

Servings 4 servings

Calories 356 kcal

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INGREDIENTS

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 pound cod fillets, frozen or fresh, see notes
• ▢ 2-3 medium lemon
• ▢ 1 cup bell pepper, roughly chopped
• ▢ ½ cup red onion, roughly chopped
• ▢ 1 cup carrot, thinly sliced
• ▢ 3 cups potatoes, thinly slices
• ▢ 3-4 tablespoons vegetable oil
• ▢ 4 teaspoons dried herbs, such as Herbs de Provence
• ▢ unsalted or salted butter, optional, 1 tablespoon per fillet
• ▢ kosher salt or sea salt , for most natural flavor
• ▢ black pepper to taste
• ▢ 3 teaspoons garlic (optional), freshly minced, see notes

INSTRUCTIONS

 

Oven Baked Instructions

• If using frozen cod fillets, allow them to thaw in cold water before use. They defrost pretty quickly. Pat dry the cod with paper towels before seasoning and baking.
• Preheat oven to 400 Fahrenheit.
• In a small bowl combine olive oil, salt, black pepper and dried herbs. If you like the lemony flavor you can add 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to the mix. But this is optional as we are going to add a slice for the fish later. If using garlic, add it now.
• Add all the veggies in a mixing bowl and drizzle with herb oil mixture until fully coated.
• Massage the cod fillets with oil mixture as well.
• Prepare aluminum foil sheets enough for 1 portion of veggies and fish. Place the veggies in foil and gently fold to close the packets.
• Bake the veggies in preheated oven for 15 minutes, then carefully open the foil packets and top with fish fillets, one per packet. Add a slice of butter and lemon slice on top of the fish.
• Bake for another 15-20 minutes until vegetables are fork tender and fish flaky.
• Serve the cod with more lemon wedges on the side and basted with generous amount of homemade chimichurri sauce.
• Alternatively, this baked fish and veggies can be cooked in one single baking dish covered in foil. Follow the same steps as instructed but instead of foil packets place everything a casserole.
• Depending on what veggies you’ll be using you can add everything together and bake until dish flaky and veggies tender. Unlike potatoes and carrots, vegetables such as zucchini, cherry tomatoes, green beans won’t require more than 15-20 minutes to bake in total. So, feel free to add the veggies, top with fish fillets and bake together fr 15-20 minutes. For more tips see the blog post Tip Section.

Grilled Cod In Foil Instructions

• Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
• If you’ll be using vegetables such as potatoes and carrots, I recommend baking them separately from fish as these require a longer time to bake. (See instructions and notes above).
• Place the packets on the grill, close, and cook for 15 to 20 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flaky and the vegetables tender.

NOTES

• Cod -  You can use a thawed frozen bag of cod fillets or substitute it with similar fish alternatives such as haddock, halibut, or tilapia. Just keep in mind, that cooking time may vary depending on the type and size of fish used. Read on how to thaw frozen fish in the blog post.
• Garlic - is optional and you can omit it if fish is served with chimichurri sauce that already has garlic in it.
• This is a healthier version of fish fillets without heavy breading or panko. For added flavor, we like to serve it with Chimichurri Sauce or top the fish with a little shaved parmesan cheese before serving. 
• As the chimichurri sauce is slightly spicy, I recommend serving it separately so the whole family can enjoy it.
• Note on potatoes - To ensure thorough cooking, use new potatoes or, for older potatoes, slice them very thinly instead.
• If you want to bake the fish and veg together right away, you can par-boil the carrots and potatoes first and cut the onions and bell peppers smaller. 
• Make it dairy free by omitting butter.
• Cod Seasoning - the easiest way is to use prepacked dried herbs such as Herbs de Provence. Or use a combination of at least 2 different herbs such as oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, tarragon, dill, parsley, or cilantro. For additional flavor, you can add fresh garlic cloves, but it is optional and chimichurri already has garlic in it.

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NUTRITION

Calories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 25gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 49mgSodium: 98mgPotassium: 1447mgFiber: 8gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 6611IUVitamin C: 114mgCalcium: 94mgIron: 4mg

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Note: Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on the products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be found here.