Spiced Cod One Pot (Print Version)

Aromatic cod simmered with peppers, spinach, and Mediterranean spices in one pot. Ready in 40 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 4 cod fillets, skinless and boneless, approximately 5.3 oz each

→ 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 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes
07 - 5.3 oz baby spinach
08 - 1 lemon, sliced

→ Spices and Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp ground cumin
10 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 0.5 tsp ground coriander
12 - 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
13 - 1 tsp salt
14 - 0.5 tsp black pepper

→ Pantry

15 - 2 tbsp olive oil
16 - 8.5 fl oz fish or vegetable stock

→ Garnish

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

# Step-by-Step:

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

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pot, which means less time scrubbing dishes and more time enjoying dinner.
  • The spices bloom in the oil and coat every bite with warmth without overwhelming the delicate fish.
  • It looks impressive enough for company but is forgiving enough for a weeknight when youre tired.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to marry.
02 -
  • Do not flip the cod once it goes into the pot, it will break apart and you will lose those beautiful fillets.
  • If your sauce looks too thick before adding the fish, splash in a bit more stock or water so the cod can steam properly.
  • Let the spices cook in the oil for a full minute, this step is where all the flavor comes from and skipping it makes the dish taste flat.
03 -
  • Use a wide, shallow pot instead of a deep one so the fillets cook evenly and you can fit them in a single layer without stacking.
  • If your tomatoes taste too acidic, add a tiny pinch of sugar to the sauce, it balances everything without making it sweet.
  • Let the finished dish rest off the heat for five minutes before serving, it gives the sauce time to thicken and the flavors to settle.
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