Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Tapenade and Herb Drizzle
Flaky cod fillets baked under a vibrant tomato and olive tapenade, finished with a fresh herb oil drizzle. This mediterranean-inspired seafood ready in about 30 minutes pairs (5 oz each) cod fillets, divided salt, divided 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.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces (5 oz each) cod fillets
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1/2 tsp, divided black pepper
- 1 cup, quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, pitted and chopped kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp, rinsed capers
- 4 tbsp, divided olive oil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh basil
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove, minced garlic clove
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish and place 4 cod fillets spaced evenly. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp rinsed capers, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix gently to create the tapenade.
- Step 3: Spoon the tapenade evenly over each cod fillet, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Step 4: Bake the cod for 12-15 minutes until opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- Step 5: While baking, whisk together 2 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, and 1 minced garlic clove to make a herb drizzle.
- Step 6: Remove baked cod from oven and drizzle the herb oil over the fillets before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Tapenade and Herb Drizzle 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 Tapenade and Herb Drizzle?
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 Tapenade and Herb Drizzle?
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 Tapenade and Herb Drizzle 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 Tapenade and Herb Drizzle?
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.
