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Tasty Ginger Soy Cod

Featured in Seafood Made Simple (Really!).

This Soy Ginger Cod gives simple fish an exciting upgrade thanks to a mix of sweet and savory flavors. Made with a rich glaze of soy sauce, honey, vinegar, ginger, and garlic, the fish soaks up every drop of goodness while baking. Topped off with green onions, sesame seeds, and a bit of cilantro, this dish is healthy, full of flavor, and only takes about 40 minutes. It’s a light yet filling meal, delivering restaurant vibes at just 300 calories per serving.
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Updated on Sat, 22 Mar 2025 22:23:34 GMT
Soy Ginger Cod Pin it
Soy Ginger Cod | cookbybook.com

Juicy cod fillets coated in a sweet-savory blend of soy and ginger root make a fancy but straightforward seafood meal. The fish soaks in a fragrant Asian marinade before getting baked until perfect, giving you flaky fish wrapped in a shiny, caramel-like coating. This nutritious, protein-packed dish gives you restaurant-worthy results while being surprisingly quick to make.

I've made this at so many dinner gatherings, and I've noticed people who say they don't like fish always ask for more. The trick is getting the sauce just right so it turns into that perfect shiny coating.

Key Ingredients and Shopping Advice

  • Cod Fillets: Go for chunky, white pieces without any gray spots or fishy smell. From cooking loads of fish, I've found that middle-cut sections cook most uniformly
  • Ginger Root: Pick firm, smooth roots with tight skin. I've noticed younger ginger gives the freshest flavor without too much spiciness
  • Soy Sauce: Stick with light soy sauce instead of dark for better taste balance. After many tries, I can tell you fancy Japanese brands make the most complex flavor
  • Honey: Nearby raw honey works amazingly for glazing. I've tried many sweet options, but honey makes the prettiest browning
Juicy cod pieces glazed with a tasty ginger soy mixture, bursting with flavor. Pin it
Juicy cod pieces glazed with a tasty ginger soy mixture, bursting with flavor. | cookbybook.com

Just days ago, using honey from a local beekeeper really changed how the glaze turned into such a deep golden color.

Step-By-Step Cooking Guide

Making Your Marinade:
Start by mixing soy sauce, freshly grated ginger, crushed garlic, honey, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. Make sure everything blends well with no honey stuck at the bottom. A good marinade should be runny enough to cover the fish but strong enough to make a gorgeous glaze.
Getting Fish Ready:
Wipe cod pieces completely dry with paper towels - this really matters for good glazing. Put them in a flat dish and pour half your marinade over them, making sure all sides get covered. Let sit for 30 minutes, but not longer since the acid will start to "cook" the raw fish.
Creating Your Glaze:
Put your marinated fish on a paper-lined baking tray. Pour leftover marinade into a small pot and cook until it gets a bit thicker. Brush this stronger glaze on the fish before and while it cooks.
Baking Just Right:
Cook at 400°F until fish is just done and breaks apart easily - around 12-15 minutes based on how thick it is. Perfectly cooked fish will look solid but stay moist inside.

While taking a cooking workshop, I learned that putting the fish on a rack helps the glaze spread more evenly without making puddles.

Watching Your Heat

Keep a close eye on your oven temp - too high and the glaze burns before the fish cooks through, too low and you won't get that beautiful browning.

Prep-Ahead Options

Mix up the marinade a full day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just don't put it on the fish until right before you're ready to cook.

What To Serve With It

Put it on top of fluffy rice to soak up all the yummy sauce. Baby bok choy or snap peas go really well on the side.

Using Up Leftovers

While it tastes best fresh, you can break up leftover fish and mix it into fried rice or noodle dishes.

Last Thoughts: This ginger soy glazed cod hits the sweet spot between healthy eating and amazing taste. After tweaking it for years, I've found that success comes down to good ingredients and watching your timing. Whether it's just a quick family dinner or a fancy get-together, it always gives you restaurant-quality food without complicated cooking or prep work.

Tender cod with a flavorful ginger soy coating, a tasty and wholesome dinner choice. Pin it
Tender cod with a flavorful ginger soy coating, a tasty and wholesome dinner choice. | cookbybook.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I cook this with frozen cod?
Sure! Just make sure the fish is fully thawed and dried off before adding the glaze. This helps it stick better and ensures even cooking.
→ What’s a good side dish for this cod?
It’s great with plain rice, roasted veggies, or even some noodle dishes with an Asian flair. Light greens like bok choy or broccoli work too.
→ Can I prep the glaze ahead?
Totally! Make it up to 3 days ahead, keep it sealed tight in the fridge, and let it warm up to room temperature before using.
→ How do I tell when the fish is ready?
When the cod flakes easily and turns fully opaque, it’s done. That usually happens after 12-15 minutes in the oven at 400°F.
→ Can I swap cod for another fish?
Absolutely! This glaze is awesome on halibut, haddock, or sea bass. Just adjust the cooking time if the fillets are thicker or thinner.

Ginger Soy Cod

Juicy cod fillets baked to perfection with a garlicky ginger-soy glaze, topped with sesame seeds and fresh herbs for a flavorful finish.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
70 Minutes
By: Susan

Category: Seafood

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 4 Servings (4 cod fillets)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main

01 Four cod fillets, about 6 ounces each

→ Glaze

02 1 tablespoon sesame oil
03 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
04 1/4 cup of soy sauce
05 2 tablespoons of honey
06 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
07 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger

→ Garnish & Serving

08 Chopped fresh cilantro
09 Thinly sliced green onions (2 stalks)
10 Lime wedges
11 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). To stop sticking, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Grab a small bowl and stir together sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic until smooth.

Step 03

Put the fillets on the baking sheet. With a basting brush, cover each piece with the glaze you’ve made.

Step 04

Place the cod into the heated oven. Let it cook for 12-15 minutes. It's ready when the meat pulls apart easily when tested with a fork.

Step 05

Move the baked cod onto plates for serving. Add sesame seeds, chopped green onions, and cilantro on top. For an extra kick, serve with fresh lime wedges to squeeze over.

Notes

  1. Using high-quality, fresh cod gives the best end result.
  2. Let the cod sit in the glaze for 15-30 minutes before baking to soak up extra flavor.
  3. This dish goes great with roasted veggies or plain steamed rice.
  4. To store leftovers, keep them in a sealed container in your fridge for 2 days max.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large baking sheet
  • Parchment paper layer
  • Small bowl for mixing
  • Whisk or something to stir
  • A brush for spreading the glaze

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes soy
  • Includes fish
  • Includes sesame

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 300
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~