Fresh Cod Fish Salad
Fresh Cod Fish Salad is a terrific whitefish salad made with a simple marinade, creating a deliciously lemon-flavored fish that is very light, refreshing, and one you can’t stop eating. It’s not a fishy-tasting fish, and the texture is meaty, not flaky.
Boneless, skinless fresh Codfish, also known as Scrod fish is cooked in water quickly, then it’s marinated in a simple dressing made with garlic, fresh parsley, lemon juice, and extra virgin olive oil.
This cod fish salad is easy to make and one you can serve either chilled or at room temperature.
No baking or frying is involved here (which is a blessing at times), it only requires a quick boil.
Anyone can make this salad in a matter of minutes.
True Story about our cod fish salad…
Our mom would always send our dad to the fish store every week to buy her favorite Cod fish, and everyone in the store would always ask him, “what do you do with cod fish?”
In his heavy Italian accent, he would always reply: “I donta really know, my-a-wife-a she make-a salad!” Our Dad was 87 years old at the time we took this photo and posted this recipe back in 2013. He was so cute even at that age. Mom was too! Sadly, we lost our Dad to cancer in 2016.
What to look for when buying Cod Fish…
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When you buy cod fish, be sure to ask the guy behind the counter to clean it well for you, removing skin, head, tail, spine, and any bones from the fish.
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You can ask him how long it’s been out in the window case.
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Raw cod fish should look pale-opaque white. No discolored skin.
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Make sure there’s no fishy smell to it. It should have a clean smell like the sea.
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It’s best to cook it on the same day you purchase it.
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This recipe will work for both frozen or fresh cod fish.
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Whole Foods sells cod already defrosted and cleaned for you.
Cod fish Salad is the one seafood dish my sister Liz LOVES to eat every week when she would visit my parents.
She doesn’t like fishy fish! So, if you have friends or family members just like Liz, then this is the nutritional and hearty seafood dish to make as part of any meal.
It’s even safe to serve children because cod doesn’t have any bones.
Serve this Cod Fish Salad with some fresh Spinach Sautéed with Garlic, or Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini and you’ll have a delicious, light meal that is low calorie, high protein, and gluten-free.
I think they will love it.
ENJOY!!
*Follow along with our Step-by-Step directions, or jump down to the bottom of this post for our full recipe card.
Ingredients Needed for Fresh Cod Fish Salad:
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1 pound fresh skinless, boneless Cod Fish
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2 garlic cloves
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1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
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1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
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3 lemons – juiced
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pinch cayenne pepper
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1/4 tsp. sea salt and black pepper to taste
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Optional: 1/4 cup Kalamata olives and additional garlic minced
Directions to Making Cod Fish Salad:
1. In a medium pot filled with water, bring water to an almost boil. Add the fish, 1/4 teaspoon salt, garlic cloves, and parsley. This will flavor the fish while cooking.
2. Simmer to a low boil for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the fish is fully cooked. Check periodically to see if the fish is cooked.
3. Once the fish is fully cooked. It should feel slightly firm to the touch. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cod fish and some of the parsley as well.
4. Gently continue to remove the fish from the boiling water, allowing it to drain over the pot.
Transfer to a serving platter.
5. When the fish is completely transferred. Sprinkle some salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper over the fish, and to taste.
6. Pour about a quarter cup of extra-virgin olive oil over the fish.
7. Then pour the lemon juice over the fish. Allow the salad to sit aside for about 10 to 15 minutes to marinate, or chill in the refrigerator for about half-hour.
Optional: For additional flavor, you can add about 1/4 cup of kalamata olives, plus one small fresh garlic clove minced along with the lemon dressing while it’s marinating.
Serves 4
…THANKS for PINNING!!
More Delicious Seafood Salads!
- EASY Italian Shrimp Salad
- Shrimp Salad with Cajun Mayo
- Summer Lobster or Shrimp Rolls
- Lobster Cobb Salad
- Shrimp and Calamari Salad
Additional Recipes for Cod!
Yield: 4 servings
Fresh Cod Fish Salad
Fresh Cod Fish Salad is a terrific whitefish salad made with a delicious marinade to create a lemony flavored fish that is very light and refreshing, and one you just can't stop eating. It's not a fishy-tasting fish, and the texture is meaty, not flaky.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 pound fresh skinless, boneless Cod Fish
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 lemons juiced
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1/4 cup kalamata olives
Instructions
- In a medium pot filled with water, bring water to an almost boil.
- Add fish, 1/4 teaspoon salt, garlic cloves, and parsley. This will flavor the fish while cooking. Simmer to a low boil for about 5 to 8 minutes, or until the fish is fully cooked. Check periodically to see if the fish is cooked.
- Once the fish is fully cooked. It should feel slightly firm to the touch. Using a slotted spoon, carefully remove the cod fish and some of the parsley as well.
- Gently continue to remove the fish from the boiling water, allowing it to drain over the pot.
- Transfer to a serving platter.
- When fish is completely transferred. Add salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste.
- Pour about a quarter cup of extra-virgin olive oil over the fish. Then pour the lemon juice over the fish.
- Allow the salad to sit aside for about 10 to 15 minutes to marinate, or chill in the refrigerator for about half-hour.
- Optional: For additional flavor, you can add about 1/4 cup of kalamata olives and one small garlic clove minced into the salad while it's marinating.
- Serves 4
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4 servingsServing Size:
1 serving ( 4-ounces)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205Total Fat: 12.7gCarbohydrates: ,8gProtein: 21.2g
I am your new fan!
Thank you Elaine, so glad to hear you enjoyed our recipe. Thanks so much and keep on cooking! Have a great week!
Warmly, anna and Liz
So yummy. Glad i found this recipe
Thank you so much, Mary! And welcome to our blog, it’s so nice to meet you. Happy cooking! 🙂
i love a fish salad. olives not optional for me . gotta have ’em!
No worries, just omit them. It’s not a deal-breaker with this recipe.
Can I put this on Spring Greens? I need some “lettuce”!! 🙂
Yes, you can put the fish salad on a bed of lettuce. It will not only give a lovely color but some freshness in taste too.
Ha! I was looking for the lettuce! This looks beautiful. Such wonderful subtle flavors in the fish and dressing. Next time I’m able to find some good cod, I’m trying this! Thanks!
thanks Mimi! Enjoy! 🙂
Found this while trying to figure out a similar recipe from my Nana, who is sadly no longer with us to answer questions. (She did make Chin Don! though.)
Question: do you boil the garlic cloves whole with the fish? She says to mince finely (and never says when things are combined, which iis why I’m looking for guidance). Her parsley is also finely chopped.
Sadly my Mom doesn’t do fish, so she’s no help. But it’s maybe why I got the recipe.
Hello Dave! I’m so glad you found us and our mom’s recipe! So sad to hear your Nana is no longer with you, but she was lucky to make it to 100! Wow!
To answer your questions – yes, you boil the garlic cloves along with the fish and the chopped parsley together. No need to finely chopped the parsley. But you can certainly add some freshly chopped parsley over the cooked fish while it marinating.
This happens to be a fish salad and so yes, once the fish is fully boiled and cooked, it is marinated with olive oil, lemon juice, some salt, and pepper. And you can add one minced garlic as well. It’s optional, but we prefer the extra fresh minced garlic in the dressing, for more flavor.
I hope this recipe will bring back wonderful memories of your Nana every time you make it. 🙂
I love this recipe! I recently made a salad with cod. It’s not quite like this one, but I really liked it, and I’ll bet I’d like yours, too.
Well, thank you Jeff! I hope you will try our mom’s recipe! And, when you do, please come back and let us know how it turns out! Thanks again!
My Italian husband introduced me to fish salad. Sadly I have to make do with frozen fish because fresh fish is impossible to find in my area. But even my picky grandchildren love this!
Hi Ingrid! Thanks so much! We’re so happy to hear you enjoyed our mom’s recipe!
And welcome to our blog, it’s so nice to meet you! 🙂
Hope you are both doing well – I'm sure you are busy – just checking in and letting you know I was thinking about you! Have a great weekend.
Thank you Tricia ! Yes we have our daughters graduation this week and My family is down here from NY. It's all good! I promise to back to blogging with new recipes soon. Thank you again
Xo Anna
I've always enjoyed Cod and now know another delicious way to prepare it!
xo
Roz
I haven't been a big fan of cod but that's probably because in the past I've always bought it frozen and not fresh. I'm going to try it this way! Your parents are an adorable couple!
This looks delicious! I don't like 'fishy fish' (it is generally a sign that things are starting to go bad / spoiled) and cod is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds wonderful. We had cod recently and how I wish I had this recipe. This sounds perfect for that type of fish. Heavy on the lemon and I would be in heaven – maybe a nice piece of crust bread too. Wow this is so creative. Your parents are lovely! I can just hear your dad saying that! Glad you had a nice Memorial Day Holiday!
I have never seen fish look so good. I'm 100% making this. Your parents are adorable.
Ahhh thanks Val, let us know what you think.
I never think to make cod but what a nice recipe this is and your photo is so pretty. Thank you for sharing it.
Thanks Vicki! You have to try this salad it is really delicious!