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My go-to stove fish recipes usually Pan fried salmonbut I recently tried this Fried cod Recipe adapted from my friend Natasha’s recipe, Natasha’s kitchenI love how simple and delicious it is healthy dinner. (Not surprisingly, her recipes are always amazing!) The fillets are perfectly crispy and tender. And the sauce? A rich, slightly sweet blend of cream, white wine and cherry tomatoes, it’s the perfect topping for fish. This pan-fried cod is one of the best ways to cook cod in a pan.
Why you’ll love this pan-fried cod
- Tender flaky fish served with creamy, tangy sauce and sweet tomato topping
- Simple ingredients
- Ready in 10 minutes
- faster than Grilled cod
- Healthy and naturally gluten-free
- One-pot main course, no need to wash dishes
- Great for a quick, healthy family meal

Ingredients and Substitutions
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for pan-fried cod, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options.For measurements see Recipe card below.
- cod fillet – You can buy frozen or fresh cod fillets about 1 inch thick for even cooking. If frozen, defrost first. Regular cod fillets and premium cod loins both work well. If you choose cod loins, consider cutting them thicker so they don’t dry out.This recipe also works with other white fish, e.g. floundergrouper, cod or haddock.
- sea salt and black pepper
- olive oil – For use in frying pans. You can use avocado oil instead.
- butter – This fried cod recipe uses unsalted butter, since we have already added salt to the fried cod fillets and sauce. If you only have salted butter, reduce the salt in the sauce.
- dry white wine – You can substitute an equal amount of chicken broth. You can also add a splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice at the end.
- cherry tomatoes – Grape tomatoes or larger fresh diced tomatoes can also be substituted.You can even use the leftover Roasted Cherry Tomatoes.
- garlic – I prefer fresh garlic, but 1 tsp canned minced garlic will work too.If you don’t have that, you can simply use 1/4 teaspoon fish seasoning garlic powder.
- fresh basil – For decoration. You could try parsley, cilantro, or even mint instead.

How to cook cod in a pan
This section shows how to cook pan-fried cod, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique to help you visualize it.For full instructions, including quantities and temperatures, see Recipe card below.
- Prepare and season. Pat fish dry with paper towels. Season cod fillets with sea salt and black pepper.
- burning. Heat the oil in the pan Large non-stick pan Over medium-high until flashing. Add the cod, top side down, and stir-fry until golden brown. Flip, reduce heat to medium, and pan fry until other side is opaque and thickest part in center reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer the fried cod to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.


Tip: Use a fish spatula if you can.
This makes it easier to flip without tearing the pan-fried cod. this is my favourite Fish shovel.
- Make the sauce. In the same skillet, combine cream, wine, tomatoes and garlic. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half and the tomatoes are tender and bursting. Season the sauce with salt and pepper. Remove the pot from the heat.
- combine. Return the fried cod to the skillet and spoon the tomatoes and sauce on top. Garnish with basil and serve.


How long does it take to cook cod in the pan?
Fry cod 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, or until internal temperature reaches 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
Storage instructions
- Shop: Store remaining pan-fried cod fillets in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: For best results, reheat leftover cod in a 350°F oven or hot skillet. Microwaving it will dry it out, but that’s an option if needed.
- freeze: Cool the fish, then freeze in a Ziploc bag or airtight container for up to 3 months.

What to serve with fried cod
Pan-fried cod recipe makes for a delicious fish taco, but this version with tomatoes is better served as a main course on its own. Try something simple like:
More fried fish recipes
If you like the flaky and delicious flavor of this white fish, try some other quick and easy fish recipes:
Pan-fried cod (10 minutes!)
Enjoy pan-fried cod fillets, pan-fried to perfection and simmered in a vibrant cherry tomato, garlic and white wine sauce. Ready in 10 minutes!
Prepare: 2 Every minute
chef: 8 Every minute
All: 10 Every minute
Serving size: 6 (Adjust according to recipe proportion)
raw material
Click on the underlined ingredients to see where you get them. Please turn off Safari reader mode to view ingredients.
instruct
Click on the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.
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Pat fish dry with paper towels. Season cod fillets with 3/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
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in a Large non-stick pan, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the fish, top side down, and fry, undisturbed, 3-4 minutesuntil golden brown and charred on the first side.
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Turn the fish over, reduce the heat to medium and continue cooking 2-4 minutes, until the fish is seared on the second side. (If skillet seems dry, add more oil as needed.) Fish should be just cooked through and opaque in the center, and instant read thermometer The thickest part of the fish should reach 145 degrees F (63 degrees C) when inserted. (Cooking time depends on the thickness of the fillet.)
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Transfer the seared cod to a plate in a single layer and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
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In the same skillet, combine cream, wine, tomatoes and garlic over medium-high heat. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.Cooking 3-4 minutesuntil the liquid is reduced by half and the tomatoes begin to soften and burst.
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Season sauce with remaining 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste. Remove the pot from the heat.
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Return the fish to the pan and spoon the tomatoes and sauce over it. Garnish with basil and serve.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 grilled cod fillet with sauce and tomatoes
Recipe from Natasha’s kitchen recipe.
nutrient content
Amount per serving. Serving sizes in recipe instructions above.
Calories 225
fat 13 grams
protein 21.1 grams
total carbohydrates 3.8 grams
net carbs 3.2 grams
fiber 0.6g
sugar 2 grams
Nutritional facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you’re getting different results?Please see our nutrition policy.
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