Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic-Infused Olive Oil
Tender cod fillets baked under a vibrant relish of tomatoes and olives, drizzled with fragrant garlic olive oil for a fresh Mediterranean seafood entrée. This mediterranean-inspired seafood (mediterranean) ready in about 28 minutes pairs (5 oz each) cod fillets, quartered cherry tomatoes, pitted and chopped kalamata olives for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (5 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 cup, quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, pitted and chopped kalamata olives
- 3, thinly sliced garlic cloves
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a small saucepan, heat 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil over low heat. Add 3 thinly sliced garlic cloves and gently infuse oil for 5 minutes until fragrant but not browned. Remove from heat.
- Step 2: Place 4 cod fillets (5 oz each) in a baking dish, season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Evenly spoon over 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes and 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives.
- Step 3: Drizzle the garlic-infused olive oil over the cod and tomatoes. Sprinkle 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil on top.
- Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and the tomato-olive relish is bubbling.
- Step 5: Serve immediately with crusty bread or a light green salad.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic-Infused Olive Oil take to make?
Total time is about 28 minutes (10 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-Infused Olive Oil?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (5 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Garlic-Infused Olive Oil?
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-Infused Olive Oil 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-Infused Olive Oil?
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.
