Perfect Grilled Cod
This grilled cod recipe has changed how I think about cooking fish! With a homemade blackened seasoning that creates incredible…
This grilled cod recipe has changed how I think about cooking fish! With a homemade blackened seasoning that creates incredible smoky, savory flavors, it transforms mild cod into a flavor-packed dinner that even skeptics enjoy.
I’ll be honest: cod wasn’t on my radar for years. When I thought of grilling fish, I automatically reached for grilled salmon or maybe grilled shrimp. Cod seemed too mild or, dare I say, boring—for the grill.
But after Alex and I created this fan favorite pan fried cod recipe, I decided grilled cod might actually be…exciting? I decided to coat the cod with our homemade blackened seasoning and the results were actually fantastic. The mild fish became this canvas for incredible smoky, spicy flavors, while still maintaining its flaky texture. Now this tasty grilled cod often appears on our dinner table in the summer!
What does cod taste like?
Cod has a mild, pure flavor that’s not fishy at all. In fact, it’s even more mild than fish like salmon. Because of its delicate white meat and neutral flavor, it’s sometimes called “chicken of the sea” (though yes, that’s a brand of tuna, too).
Cod is a great starter fish for people who don’t think they like fish. (Another starter fish that’s not too fishy is this grilled ahi tuna.)
Want more with cod? Try baked cod, cod fish tacos, or our favorite cod recipes.
Ingredients for grilled cod
This healthy grilled cod recipe is very easy and requires just a handful of ingredients. You’ll need to make a homemade seasoning blend, but once you make it you’ll have it on hand for several more batches. Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe:
- Cod fillets: you can use fresh or frozen. Wild caught is usually a sustainable option if you can find it!
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Homemade blackened seasoning or seafood seasoning
The best seasoning for cod
The very best seasoning for cod, in my opinion, is blackened seasoning. Blackening is a Cajun style way of cooking fish in a cast iron skillet with a seasoning blend. Every chef uses their own mix for blackened seasoning, so there’s no official definition. Most recipes have spices familiar to Cajun cuisine: paprika, garlic, onion, oregano, thyme, and of course, cayenne for the heat! The heat level in this seasoning blend is medium hot. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Smoked paprika or sweet paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Oregano
- Celery seed
- Allspice
- Cloves
- Cayenne
- Salt and black pepper
Make up a big batch, and you’ll have enough for lots of grilled cod. If you want an even spicier version, try our Cajun seasoning instead.
Use seafood seasoning as a mild option
This blackened seasoning has a bit of heat, but our kids actually gobble it up! If you prefer a milder option, we’ve got you covered with our magic seafood seasoning! It’s truly the best blend of flavors: a mix of savory, smoky and aromatic spices that makes for irresistible fish.
Tips for how to grill cod
You can make grilled cod right on the grill grates: no foil required! It infuses the cod with smoky flavor and a crispy exterior. Here are our tips for how to grill cod:
- The temperature for grilled cod? Medium high heat, or 375 to 450 degrees. Medium high heat makes for a perfectly cooked piece of cod.
- Use indirect
- How long to cook grilled cod? 4 minutes skin side down, then 2 to 4 minutes skin side up! The best way to measure whether it’s done is using an internal thermometer. Stick it in the thickest part of the fish and it should read 130 degrees Fahrenheit. This should be right when the cod starts to flake when pulled with a fork.
Ways to prevent sticking to the grill
Some people complain about grilled fish sticking to the grill. Here’s our advice: Don’t try to turn it too soon! When the cod is cooked just enough, it releases from the grill grates, making it easy to flip.
But if you touch it before that time, it can stick and break apart. You don’t need to oil the grill grates. Just lightly oil the fish, and when cooking wait until the cod is easy to release (about 5 minutes). Then it’s easy to flip!
What to serve with grilled cod
There are so many fantastic ways to accessorize grilled cod to make it a healthy dinner! Here are some of our favorite ideas for making it into a tasty summer meal:
- These colorful grilled peppers and onion or grilled zucchini and squash would be colorful alongside, or try our favorite grilled veggie kabobs.
- Bring in a Cajun feel with grilled okra.
- Our best coleslaw recipe is perfect alongside grilled fish, or try elote salad or grilled corn salad.
- This squash and zucchini casserole would be perfection right alongside.
Dietary notes
This grilled cod recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free and pescatarian.
Perfect Grilled Cod
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Print RecipeThis grilled cod recipe has changed how I think about cooking fish! With a homemade blackened seasoning that creates incredible smoky, savory flavors, it transforms mild cod into a flavor-packed dinner that even skeptics enjoy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 4-ounce cod fillets, (wild caught if possible)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons homemade blackened seasoning (medium hot) or seafood seasoning (mild)*
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
- Bring the cod to room temperature for about 15 minutes.
- Pat the cod dry with a clean towel. Rub it with the olive oil and sprinkle it with the kosher salt and fresh ground pepper. Then cover it with the homemade blackened seasoning or seafood seasoning on all sides.
- Grill the cod over indirect heat for 4 minutes, until it releases from the grates. Flip and cook another 2 to 4 minutes, until the internal temperature is 130 degrees (right when the cod starts to flake when pulled with a fork). Allow to rest for a few minutes, then serve.
Notes
*Love very spicy food? Use Cajun seasoning instead.
More grilled fish or seafood
Looking for more grilled fish recipes outside of this healthy grilled cod? Here’s a great place to start:
- Grilled Salmon or Grilled Tilapia are perfectly tender and flavored with a magic seasoning blend that takes it to new heights.
- Pesto Salmon is fun and crowd-pleasing!
- Grilled Shrimp, Cajun Grilled Shrimp, or Blackened Shrimp are fast and easy to grill.
- Grilled Tuna is seared on the outside and tender on the inside!
- Grilled Scallops are easy to grill and need minimal seasoning to taste irresistibly tender and savory.
