Pan Seared Cod with Ginger Sauce

Come try my Pan Seared Cod with Ginger Sauce, the ultimate Asian-inspired cod recipe that’s a breeze to whip up in under 15 minutes! This dish combines tender, perfectly seared cod with my homemade ginger dipping sauce, delivering a delightful blend of savory and sweet flavors with a zesty kick. What sets my recipe apart is its simplicity and use of all-natural ingredients, making it ideal for anyone craving a hibachi-style seared fish meal made right at home!

Pan seared cod served with ginger sauce close up shot.

Why I Love This Recipe

My pan-seared cod recipe is the best because it’s incredibly easy to make and bursting with flavor! It’s inspired by hibachi cuisine, showcasing tender cod alongside my homemade Japanese-style Hibachi Ginger Sauce! What makes this recipe stand out is its simplicity and use of all-natural ingredients, perfect for anyone craving a restaurant-quality seared fish meal in the comfort of their own kitchen!

Plus, it features the same proven cooking method I used for my Hibachi Chicken and Hibachi Scallops recipe, ensuring an authentic and mouthwatering at home hibachi style cooking experience! So get ready to make this restaurant-quality dish in the comfort of your own kitchen!

Ingredients

Ingredients

  • Cod Fillet – or any white meat fish you prefer.
  • Salt – sea salt preferred.
  • Black Pepper – ground.
  • Neutral Oil – no taste or flavor with high cooking temperature. Some choices are sunflower oil, peanut oil, sallower oil, vegetable oil, and canola oil.
  • Onion – yellow or brown onion.
  • Ginger – freshly grated ginger using a hand grater.
  • Rice VinegarRice Vinegar distilled from rice used in Asian cuisine. Can sub with distilled white vinegar.
  • Soy Sauce – low-sodium Soy Sauce preferred. Can also use tamari for gluten-free.
  • Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
  • Lemon Zest – from organic lemons.
  • Lemon Juice – freshly squeezed.

Alternative Fish Options

Consider using other firm-fleshed varieties like Rockcod, Lingcod, Pollock, or Whitefish. These alternatives offer a comparable texture and flavor profile, offering flexibility to tailor this recipe to the ingredients you have on hand.

🥢 Rice Vinegar Note

Use rice vinegar with No Added Sugar when incorporating it into this recipe.

Pan seared cod served with ginger sauce being picked up with a pair of chopsticks.

Essential Kitchen Equipment

Directions

Step 1 Start by blending peeled ginger, chopped onion, soy sauce, sweetener, rice vinegar, lemon juice and zest in a food processor.

Ginger sauce in a food processor.

Step 2 Next, dry the cod fillets with a paper towel and season them with salt and black pepper.

Cod seasoned with salt and black pepper.

🍣 Preparing Fish Fillet Pro Tip

Rinse the fillets under cold water, followed by Patting Dry and seasoning. This step helps eliminate any excess liquids.

Step 3 Heat a frying pan coated with oil over medium-high heat and sear the fillets for 1-3 minutes per side until they are cooked and opaque.

Cod seared in a cast iron pan.

🍳 Searing Pro Tip

Keep a close eye on the cooking process and remove the fish from heat as soon as the meat easily flakes off with a fork and reaches a safe internal temperature of 145°F. This will guarantee that your dish is at its best in terms of texture and flavor.

Step 4 Serve the seared cod with the ginger sauce.

Seared cod with ginger sauce.

Paring Recommendations

Kick off your meal with a comforting bowl of Japanese Chicken Soup and pair it with a garden salad drizzled in Japanese Ginger Dressing. For a more substantial option, try Garlic Chicken Fried Rice or my Garlic Butter Vegetable Fried Rice, both prepared hibachi-style! To complete your meal, enjoy a Hot Matcha Latte.

A piece of pan seared cod being dipped into a Japanese style ginger sauce.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Asian style ginger sauce?

Asian style ginger sauce is the sauce served at Benihana hibachi restaurants. It's an addicting gingery, soy, and vinegar-based sauce that's a little sweet and tangy. It's a perfect accompaniment to fish, beef, and chicken.

Can I use frozen cod fillets for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen cod fillets, but it's important to defrost them completely before cooking. Ideally, allow the fish to defrost in the fridge overnight for the best results. If you're in a hurry, you can also speed up the process by placing fillets in a zip lock bag and dipping in room temperature water.

Can I prepare the ginger sauce without a food processor?

Yes, you can prepare the ginger sauce without a food processor, but it will require a bit more manual effort. You'll need to use a grater to grate the ginger and onions by hand and then mix all the liquids together.

Storage Tips

To store leftovers, ensure you place the sauce and fish in separate airtight containers. The fish will maintain its quality for 3-5 days when refrigerated, while the sauce can be safely stored for 14-21 days in the fridge.

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Watch How To Make It

A piece of pan seared cod being dipped into a Japanese style ginger sauce.

Pan Seared Cod with Ginger Sauce

Discover a delicious and healthy Pan Seared Cod recipe that's quick and easy to make. Perfect for a nutritious meal!
4.14 from 38 votes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: Asian cod recipe, healthy cod recipe, pan seared cod
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Print Recipe
Calories: 221kcal

Ingredients

Fish

  • 1 lbs Cod Fillet or any white meat fish you prefer
  • 1/8 tsp Salt
  • 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
  • 1 tbsp Cooking Oil neutral, no flavor or taste

Sauce

  • 1 tbsp Onion chopped
  • 1/2 Inch Ginger
  • 3 tbsp Rice Vinegar no sugar added version
  • 2 tbsp Soy Sauce
  • 1 tsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
  • 1/4 tsp Lemon Zest
  • 1/4 tsp Lemon Juice

Instructions

  • Gather all the ingredients.
    Ingredients for pan seared cod.
  • Pat down any juice on cod with a paper towel and sprinkle salt and pepper evenly on both sides of the fillets. Set aside.
    Cod seasoned with salt and black pepper.
  • Add loosely chopped onions, peeled ginger, lemon juice,lemon zest, sweet rice vinegar, and soy sauce into a food processor. Blend until the sauce reaches a smooth consistency, which typically takes about 20 to30 seconds.
    Ginger sauce in a food processor.
  • Add neutral cooking oil into a cast iron pan and heat on high and bring oil up to temp.
    Ginger sauce in a food processor.
  • When oil is up to temp, reduce heat to medium-high and carefully place cods into cast iron pan. Cover and cook for 1-3 minutes (depends on thickness). When searing, do not move the meat.
    Cod in a cast iron pan.
  • After 1-3 minutes, carefully flip the cod, re-cover and cook for an additional 1-3 minutes.
    Cod seared in a cast iron pan.
  • Carefully transfer cod to a serving plate and serve with ginger sauce.
    Cod seared in a cast iron pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 1244mg | Potassium: 740mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 68IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg
*Values Based Per Serving
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4.14 from 38 votes (38 ratings without comment)

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