Simple Spiced Cod for Two

If you’re short on time but still want something light, flavorful, and packed with nutrients, this simple spiced cod recipe is a go-to. I use wild-caught frozen cod from Whole Foods, which is budget-friendly and easy to keep on hand. The trick? Let it fully defrost in the fridge—out of the wrapper—so it’s ready to soak up all the spice and citrus goodness when you’re ready to cook.

Before You Start

Place your frozen cod (still frozen, but out of the plastic packaging) into a covered dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to fully defrost.

Ingredients

• 2 (4 oz) wild-caught cod fillets, thawed

• 2 tsp avocado oil

• 4 tsp lemon juice (fresh or bottled)

• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Pat the thawed cod dry with a paper towel. Place fillets in a shallow dish.

3. Drizzle with avocado oil and lemon juice. Then sprinkle with cayenne, smoked paprika, and lemon pepper. Gently rub in the seasonings to coat both sides.

4. Line a baking dish with parchment, place seasoned cod inside, and bake for 10–12 minutes.

   
   

Serving Ideas

Serve with prepped roasted veggies, a quinoa salad, or even over a bed of greens with extra lemon wedges. This also works well for meal prep—just reheat gently in the microwave or eat cold over a salad.