Spiced Cod One Pot (Printable)

Aromatic cod with vegetables and spices, all cooked together in one pot for easy cleanup and bold flavor.

# What You Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 4 cod fillets (about 5.3 oz each), skinless and boneless

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 can (14.1 oz) diced tomatoes
07 - 5.3 oz baby spinach
08 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Spices & Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp ground coriander
12 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, optional for heat
13 - 1 tsp salt
14 - 1/2 tsp black pepper

→ Pantry

15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
16 - 1 cup fish or vegetable stock

→ Garnish

17 - Fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
18 - Lemon wedges

# How-To Steps:

01 - Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in the minced garlic, diced red and yellow bell peppers, and cook for an additional 3 minutes.
03 - Add the ground cumin, smoked paprika, ground coriander, cayenne pepper if using, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in the diced tomatoes and fish or vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer.
05 - Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Gently nestle the cod fillets into the sauce and top with lemon slices. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
07 - Add the baby spinach and cook for 2 minutes until just wilted.
08 - Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs and additional lemon wedges.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is as easy as the cooking itself.
  • The sauce is vibrant and aromatic, turning simple cod into something that feels special without any complicated techniques.
  • Its naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, so you can serve it to almost anyone without worry.
  • The warmth of cumin and smoked paprika makes the whole house smell like youve been cooking all day, even though it takes less than an hour.
02 -
  • Dont skip toasting the spices in the oil, it only takes a minute but it transforms the entire flavor of the sauce.
  • Make sure the sauce is gently simmering before you add the cod, too much heat will make the fish tough and rubbery.
  • If your fillets are thin, reduce the cooking time to 6 or 7 minutes so they dont overcook and fall apart.
  • Use a lid when simmering the fish so it steams gently in the sauce and stays moist and tender.
03 -
  • Pat the cod fillets completely dry with paper towels before adding them to the pot so they dont water down the sauce.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the fish and adjust the salt and spices, its much easier to fix the seasoning now than after the cod is in.
  • If youre using store-bought stock, choose a low-sodium version so you can control the saltiness of the final dish.
  • Let the finished dish rest for a minute or two before serving, the flavors settle and the sauce thickens just a bit more.
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