Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Delicate cod fillets baked under a vibrant tomato and olive relish, topped with crunchy garlic and herb breadcrumbs for a delightful texture contrast. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 33 minutes pairs cod fillets, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.5 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 18 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 280 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a baking dish with 1 tbsp olive oil. Season 4 cod fillets (5 oz each) with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper and place them spaced evenly in the dish.
  2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped Kalamata olives, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, and 1 tbsp olive oil with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spoon this relish evenly over the cod fillets.
  3. Step 3: In a small bowl, mix 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs, 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp olive oil until the crumbs are evenly coated.
  4. Step 4: Sprinkle the garlic herb breadcrumb mixture evenly over the tomato-olive topping on the cod fillets.
  5. Step 5: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork and the breadcrumbs are golden and crisp.
  6. Step 6: Serve immediately with lemon wedges if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs take to make?

Total time is about 33 minutes (15 min prep + 18 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic Herb Breadcrumbs?

Mediterranean seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes