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Tasty Coconut Curry Baked Cod

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Turn plain cod into a stunning meal with this Coconut Curry Baked Cod dish. The wow factor comes when juicy cod meets a thick, flavorful sauce blending coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, and fresh lime. The mixture starts on the stove, where spices warm up to unlock their tastes, then everything cooks in the oven until the fish turns perfectly flaky. This dairy-free, gluten-free meal gives you restaurant-worthy results without much work, making it great for both busy weeknights and fancy gatherings. A touch of honey can balance the spiciness, while fresh herbs and lime slices add a crisp finish.
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punchofyummy
Updated on Fri, 11 Apr 2025 19:26:21 GMT
Tender baked cod in a rich coconut curry sauce with bold spices. Pin it
Tender baked cod in a rich coconut curry sauce with bold spices. | pinchofyummy.com

Mild cod meets bold curry flavors in this mouthwatering combo that's both cozy and elegant. The fish gets bathed in a smooth coconut sauce packed with warm spices and bright citrus touches. Baking lets all those tasty notes soak into the fish while keeping it nice and flaky.

I found out that cooking the spices in oil first makes everything taste way better. I remember this one dinner with friends where I nailed that sweet spot between the soft fish and the punchy curry sauce.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Cod: Go for fat, clear-looking white fillets to get the juiciest, freshest results.
  • Coconut Milk: Don't skimp with light versions - you need the full-fat stuff for that luxurious sauce.
  • Curry Powder: Make sure it's lump-free and smells strong for the best flavor punch.
  • Turmeric: The brighter the yellow-orange color, the fresher and more potent it'll be.
  • Fresh Ginger: Look for hard pieces without any wrinkles to get the most zing.
  • Fresh Garlic: Grab compact, solid heads for that intense kick.
  • Lime: The heavier ones with thin peels will give you more juice and flavor.
  • Fresh Herbs: Pick bright green bunches of cilantro or parsley that aren't droopy for that fresh pop.

Crafting Your Tasty Masterpiece

Making The Sauce Base:
Warm up oil until it's shiny on medium-low. Toss in chopped garlic, keep stirring so it doesn't burn. Sprinkle in spices bit by bit, letting each hang out for half a minute. This really wakes up those flavors. Keep an eye on them – you want them smelling good but not turning dark.
Adding The Coconut:
Slowly pour in coconut milk while whisking away any clumps. Keep it at a gentle bubble, never a full boil or it might split. Squeeze in lime juice and drizzle honey at the end, making sure you've got that sweet-tangy-spicy thing going on.
Getting The Fish Ready:
Really dry those cod pieces with paper towels – wet fish won't take seasoning well. Salt and pepper both sides generously. Put them in your baking dish with gaps between so sauce can flow around.
Baking It Just Right:
Wait till your oven's fully hot. Pour the hot sauce around the sides of the fish, not directly on top. Bake until it barely flakes but still looks juicy inside.
Juicy cod swimming in aromatic curry coconut sauce. Pin it
Juicy cod swimming in aromatic curry coconut sauce. | pinchofyummy.com

The best version I ever made was at a beach gathering using cod caught that morning. Everyone still brings up how amazing that dinner was – that super fresh fish with those curry spices was just unbeatable.

Stunning Ways To Serve

Lay it over jasmine rice cooked in coconut water for extra flavor. Scatter fresh herbs on top with lime wedges on the side. Bring warm naan to the table for soaking up that yummy sauce. Add some quick-pickled veggies for a crunchy, tangy contrast.

Tasty Twists

Switch up the fish with halibut or sea bass if you want. Throw some bell peppers or snap peas into the baking dish too. Kick up the heat with red curry paste or fresh chili. Mix in some lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves for a Thai-inspired take.

Keeping It Fresh

If you're planning ahead, keep the fish and sauce apart until cooking time. When reheating fish, do it gently so it doesn't dry out. Sauce freezes great in small batches. If you're warming up the whole dish, splash in some fresh coconut milk to bring the sauce back to life.

Tender cod in silky coconut curry topped with bright herbs. Pin it
Tender cod in silky coconut curry topped with bright herbs. | pinchofyummy.com

After making this countless times, I've figured out that giving equal love to both the fish and the sauce is what makes it special. This dish shows how basic ingredients can turn into something amazing when you handle them with care and know-how.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen cod fillets?
You bet, just make sure they're fully thawed and dried with paper towels before cooking so they bake evenly and don't water down your sauce.
→ What can I serve this with?
This tastes amazing with plain rice, cauliflower rice, oven-roasted veggies, or some naan bread to mop up all that yummy sauce.
→ Can I make this ahead of time?
It's tastiest when fresh, but you can prep the sauce beforehand and keep it separate. Just warm it up before you pour it over the fish for baking.
→ What if I don't have all the spices?
You can easily swap in a ready-made curry paste or curry powder mix instead of gathering all the separate spices.
→ How do I know when the cod is done?
The cod is ready when you can easily break it apart with a fork and it's no longer see-through inside, usually after about 20-25 minutes in the oven.

Coconut Curry Baked Cod

Flaky cod pieces baked in a velvety coconut curry mixture with fragrant seasonings and zesty lime, done in only 35 minutes.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
35 Minutes
By: Amelia


Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Oriental Blend

Yield: 4 Servings (4 pieces)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Creamy Spice Sauce

01 14 ounces thick coconut milk
02 1 tablespoon extra virgin oil
03 1 tablespoon spice mix
04 1 teaspoon yellow turmeric
05 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
06 1/2 teaspoon spicy powder (if you want heat)
07 2 crushed garlic cloves
08 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lime
09 Black pepper and sea salt as needed
10 1 tablespoon natural sweetener (if desired)

→ Seafood

11 4 pieces white cod (6 ounces per piece)
12 Sea salt and black pepper as needed
13 Handful of chopped herbs for topping
14 Cut limes on the side

Instructions

Step 01

Warm up your oil in a pot and toss in your crushed garlic, letting it cook until you can smell it, just for a minute.

Step 02

Throw in your spice mix, yellow turmeric, powdered ginger, and hot powder if you want some kick. Let them sizzle a bit to bring out their taste.

Step 03

Add your thick coconut milk and let it slowly bubble. Squeeze in lime, add your seasonings, and drizzle in sweetener if you want. Let everything cook down for about 5 minutes.

Step 04

Get your oven hot at 375°F. Sprinkle salt and pepper on your cod pieces and put them in your dish. Cover them completely with your creamy sauce.

Step 05

Pop it in the oven for 20-25 minutes until your fish breaks apart easily. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and put lime pieces on the side.

Notes

  1. Make it hotter or milder with spicy powder
  2. A touch of natural sweetener makes it tastier
  3. Goes great with a side of grain or veggie rice

Tools You'll Need

  • Cooking pot
  • Oven-safe dish
  • Kitchen spoons

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Watch out for seafood (cod)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 400
  • Total Fat: 28 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 20 g
  • Protein: 30 g