Pan-Seared Cod with Mediterranean Olive-Tomato Salsa
Delicate cod fillets pan-seared to golden perfection and topped with a vibrant Mediterranean salsa of olives, cherry tomatoes, and fresh herbs. This Mediterranean-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 20 minutes, pairs cod fillets, olive oil, salt 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
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup, pitted and chopped kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp, fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 1, minced garlic clove
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 cod fillets dry and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Place cod fillets in the hot skillet and sear for 4-5 minutes on the first side without moving until golden and edges crisp, then carefully flip and cook another 3-4 minutes until cooked through and opaque.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup chopped kalamata olives, 1/4 cup finely diced red onion, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp olive oil. Stir gently to combine.
- Step 4: Remove cod from skillet and plate. Spoon the Mediterranean olive-tomato salsa generously over each fillet before serving.






