Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herbed Couscous

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

Lightly baked cod fillets topped with a vibrant tomato-olive relish, paired with fluffy couscous infused with fresh herbs for a Mediterranean-inspired dinner. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (5 oz each) cod fillets, olive oil, quartered cherry tomatoes 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 320 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup sliced kalamata olives, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Toss gently to mix and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Place 4 cod fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Spoon the tomato-olive relish evenly over each cod fillet. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
  4. Step 4: Meanwhile, bring 1 cup vegetable broth to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup couscous and a pinch of salt. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.
  5. Step 5: Serve baked cod topped with tomato-olive relish alongside the herbed couscous for a bright, balanced meal.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish and Herbed Couscous take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 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 Herbed Couscous?

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 Herbed Couscous?

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 Herbed Couscous 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 Herbed Couscous?

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.

Related recipes