Moroccan-Style Cod

Why You’ll Love this Moroccan Cod Recipe

Get ready for a game-changing cod recipe that’s both comforting and packed with exiting flavors! This simple dish combines cod with harissa, bell peppers and warm spices for a delightful meal.

The best part? It’s incredibly versatile! You can use your preferred fish—whether it’s cod, salmon, or any other favorite. Feel free to toss in extra veggies too! Serve it alongside couscous, rice or flatbread, then pair it with a fresh salad, even a simple cucumber salad works well here.

Worried about spice? Don’t be! This recipe captures incredible flavors without overwhelming heat. And the cherry on top? Minimal prep time, ensuring it’s ready in just about 30 minutes!
Let me guide you through the recipe with this step-by-step VIDEO or follow along on YouTube.

Why Poach Fish?

Cooking cod fillets by poaching them in a ‘brothy’ sauce is an easy and delicious way to prepare fish. Poaching keeps the fish moist and infuses it with plenty of flavor without overwhelming it. While we use cod fillets here for their meaty and mild taste, you can also experiment with haddock, pollack or halibut.

If you’ve never tried this cooking method before, don’t worry—it’s straightforward, yet the results are undeniably delicious. Poaching is a gentle, hands-off approach, making it perfect for those anxious about cooking fish at home. Simply bring your sauce to a simmer and let your chosen fish cook until it turns opaque.

This traditional technique is nearly fail-safe because the fish is unlikely to overcook or dry out. No need to flip the fish, it will cook evenly through. As it finishes cooking, the sauce will slightly thicken, leaving the fish tender and flaky.

How do I know if my fish is cooked?

For those who don’t cook fish often, wondering if it’s properly cooked might be a concern. In this recipe, I’ve used cod fillets approximately ½ inch/1.5 cm thick, taking about 10 minutes to cook in the sauce. Take into account, cooking time may differ based on the thickness of your fillets.

To check if the fish is done, have a look at its color and texture. When cooked, it becomes opaque and flakes easily. Using a fork, gently pull from the thickest part, it should flake effortlessly. Undercooked fish appears somewhat grey and won’t flake easily. If that’s the case, let it cook a bit longer, an additional minute might be enough.

Ingredients for this Moroccan-Style Cod Recipe

• Fish: Any sturdy-fleshed fish such as cod, sea bass, halibut, or salmon will work well for this recipe.
• Vegetables: Carrots, green and red bell pepper. 
• Onion and Garlic: They effortlessly amp up the flavor.
• Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, cumin, and coriander. You can also include sweet paprika and ras el hanout for added depth of flavor.
• Tomato Paste and Harissa: The foundation of our sauce. I used mild rose harissa, adjust the amount based on your preferred spice level.
• Vegetable Broth: The necessary liquid base. You can substitute with chicken broth if desired.
• Herbs: Lots of cilantro is key! Don’t like cilantro? Try it with parsley.
• Lemon Juice: A splash of citrus that brightens the freshness of harissa and complements seafood excellently.

Helpful Tips

• To cook your fish fillets evenly, make sure they are all the same thickness. This will help them cook at the same time.
• If you own a tajine, this is the perfect opportunity to bring it into play!
• For those not fond of fish, consider swapping the cod for chickpeas to savor the Moroccan flavors. You can sear the cod separately and serve it on the side for those who do enjoy it.
• Feel free to incorporate additional vegetables into the sauce, such as zucchini, eggplant or spinach to enrich the dish further.

What To Serve With this Moroccan-Inspired Cod?

• Couscous, pearl couscous, flatbread or rice.
• For a Moroccan touch, consider including green olives, capers or pickled vegetables. Their briny flavors beautifully complement the meal.
• Serve loaves of sourdough bread at the center of the table for tearing off chunks and soaking up every bit of the delicious sauce. It’s a delightful way to enjoy the meal.
• Complete the feast with a simple side salad. Consider a herb salad with a splash of lemon juice and olive oil, or try a fresh cucumber salad to complement the flavors.

How to Store Leftovers?

• Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Freezer: Store in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

Try These Next

• Harissa Shrimp
• Poached Cod in Peppery Tomato Sauce
• Spicy Moroccan Salmon with Pistachio Couscous