Old Bay Grilled Cod Recipe
This Old Bay grilled cod recipe will transport your taste buds straight to the Maryland coast. According to food Blogger Ksenia Prints of At the Immigrant's Table, Old Bay seasoning is an iconic Baltimore spice blend that has 18 ingredients, mixed in a proportion that is a closely guarded secret. It's a no-brainer to pair the classic seasoning blend with such a light and flaky type of fish, making for a flavorful fish that really will transport you to a quaint coastal town. You can serve this fish dish as is, but to make it even more awesome, we recommend spooning some freshly made green herb salsa on top.
With just a few ingredients and a whole lot of flavor, this recipe is sure to have you hooked in no time. Beginners and experienced home-chefs alike will enjoy this recipe, which comes together in less than 20 minutes. It can be intimidating to grill fragile, flaky fish, but with the right technique, you'll have perfectly cooked, juicy, tender cod every time.
Gather the ingredients for Old Bay grilled cod
To make the green herb salsa, you'll need fresh parsley leaves and stems, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. For the grilled cod, purchase some sustainable cod fillets, Old Bay seasoning, salt, pepper, and butter.
Make the green herb sauce
Add the parsley leaves and tender stems, garlic, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and salt to a small food processor. Give the ingredients several pulses until the garlic is minced, and then pulse again to thoroughly combine everything.
Depending on the strength of your blender, this may be harder to achieve; feel free to add enough water to achieve a smooth consistency and vibrant green color for the sauce. You want a sauce that is not too thick or chunky, and has a uniform texture that can easily be drizzled over your dish.
Season the cod fillets
Using a paper towel, gently pat both sides of the fish fillets to dry them. Next, evenly season both sides of the cod fillets with a pinch of salt, a dash of pepper, and a generous sprinkle of Old Bay seasoning. Make sure to get both sides so the fish is seasoned thoroughly and equally. The salt helps to enhance the natural flavors of the fish, while the pepper adds a subtle heat. The Old Bay seasoning, on the other hand, is what gives our dish its signature bold and savory taste.
Grill the cod
To achieve perfectly grilled cod at home, begin by heating a well-seasoned cast-iron pan with grill marks over medium heat. You'll know the pan is ready when it radiates heat when you hold your hand above it.
Once the pan is hot enough, add 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan, swirling it in the pan to help it melt and evenly coat the surface. Carefully place the seasoned cod fillets on the pan, ensuring that they are not overcrowded. Resist the temptation to move the fish around and allow them to grill undisturbed for 6 minutes.
After 6 minutes, gently flip the fillets over using a fish spatula and continue grilling for another 5-6 minutes until the fish is cooked through and has a nicely grilled exterior. If your fish doesn't detach from the pan easily, let it cook a bit longer, then try again to wriggle the spatula gently under the fish. Finally, remove the cod from the pan and transfer it onto a plate.
Serve the Old Bay cod with green salsa
Spoon some green salsa on your serving plates. Then top each plate with a fillet of fish. Drizzle each fillet with more sauce. Serve the cod fillets with more sauce on the side, and fresh lemon wedges for an extra burst of citrusy flavor.
The combination of savory Old Bay seasoning, tender grilled cod, and tangy green salsa is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied. Whether you want a quick dinner or a meal to impress a date, this recipe has you covered.
- 1 cup parsley, leaves and stems
- 1 clove garlic
- ½ tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- salt, to taste
- 4 (8-ounce) cod fillets, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- lemon wedges, for serving
- To make the sauce, place the parsley leaves and stems, garlic, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and salt into a small food processor. Pulse the ingredients several times until the garlic is minced, then pulse again to combine everything. Gradually add small amounts of water to make the sauce liquid and green.
- Pat the fish fillets dry on both sides with a paper towel. Season the cod fillets with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning on both sides.
- To grill the cod, bring a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet to medium heat. Once hot, add the butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Place the cod fillets in the pan and don't move them around for 6 minutes. Turn the cod over and grill for another 5-6 minutes. Remove cod from the pan.
- Drizzle each cod fillet with sauce. Serve cod fillets with more sauce on the side, and additional lemon wedges as needed.
| Calories per Serving | 312 |
| Total Fat | 14.7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3.6 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.1 g |
| Cholesterol | 105.2 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 2.3 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.7 g |
| Total Sugars | 0.2 g |
| Sodium | 603.7 mg |
| Protein | 41.1 g |
