Half-Steamed Ginger Soy Cod with Wilted Spinach

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

Tender cod fillets gently steamed with ginger and soy sauce, served alongside quickly wilted spinach for a light, healthy meal. This asian-inspired seafood (low carb) ready in about 25 minutes pairs (about 6 oz each) cod fillets, julienned fresh ginger, low sodium soy sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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: 10 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 220 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 Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Arrange 4 cod fillets in a heatproof dish suitable for steaming. Scatter 2 tbsp julienned fresh ginger over the fillets and drizzle with 3 tbsp low sodium soy sauce and 1 tsp sesame oil.
  2. Step 2: Place the dish inside a steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 10 minutes until the cod is opaque and flakes easily.
  3. Step 3: While cod steams, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 cup vegetable broth, then toss in 6 cups baby spinach and 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves.
  4. Step 4: Sauté spinach and garlic for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until spinach is just wilted but still bright green.
  5. Step 5: Plate cod fillets with steamed ginger and soy sauce, garnish with 2 sliced green onions, and serve alongside wilted spinach immediately.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Half-Steamed Ginger Soy Cod with Wilted Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 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 Half-Steamed Ginger Soy Cod with Wilted Spinach?

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 (about 6 oz each) cod fillets from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Half-Steamed Ginger Soy Cod with Wilted Spinach?

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 Half-Steamed Ginger Soy Cod with Wilted Spinach 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.

Is Half-Steamed Ginger Soy Cod with Wilted Spinach low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

Related recipes