This steamed cod with ginger and scallions is an easy, Asian-inspired weeknight dish made with cod that’s gently cooked in a simple yet flavorful sauce of rice vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger.
Steamed fish is a healthful and quick-cooking dinner option. Adding a few aromatics to the steaming liquid enhances the taste of the fish without using any butter or oil. Haddock, halibut, or other firm-fleshed white fish can be used in place of the cod.–Editors of Everyday Food
How To Peel Ginger Root
When a recipe calls for peeled ginger, rather than struggle over the knobby surface with a paring knife or a vegetable peeler, try what the editors of Everyday Cooking suggest, which is to reach for a spoon. Holding the ginger steady with one hand, they suggest, scrape the spoon toward you in short strokes. When you reach an especially tight crevice, you may just need to slice off the knobby portion of ginger to make for smooth scraping.
Steamed Cod with Ginger and Scallions
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (optional)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons finely grated peeled ginger* (see *Note above)
- 4 1 1/2 lbs skinless Pacific cod fillets
- 6 scallions
Directions
- In a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger.
- Season both sides of the cod fillets with salt and pepper and place them in the skillet. Bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook, without turning, until the fish is almost but not quite opaque throughout, 6 to 8 minutes.
- Meanwhile, cut the green parts of the scallions into 3-inch lengths and then thinly slice each piece lengthwise into strips (reserve the white parts for another use).
- Carefully turn the fish, scatter the scallions over the top, cover, and cook until the cod is completely opaque throughout and the scallions are just wilted, about 2 minutes more.
- Gently shimmy a slotted metal spatula beneath the fillets and transfer to plates, leaving the aromatic cooking liquid in the skillet. Serve immediately.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
My favorite Pan-Asian restaurant has this dish on the menu but uses a whole fish rather than the fillet. While this recipe gives you a restaurant-quality dish, it’s very easy to make as a home chef. The prep is very quick, as is the cooking time.
Although the recipe states to leave the aromatic cooking liquid in the skillet, I spooned it over the fish and jasmine rice, which was a perfect accompaniment, and it made a nice, flavorful sauce.
I think a whole bass or snapper would be another good option for this recipe, along with the other firm-fleshed fillets suggested in place of the cod.
Wow Wow Wow. This steamed cod with ginger and scallions is totally top restaurant quality! 5 ingredients, 15 minutes later, and a meal that will shock your guests. And best of all, you can have all the prep work done ahead of time then all you need is less than 10 minutes to serve this dish. There is no way to go wrong. I would make sure to add the rice vinegar to dilute the soy, or it can become easily too salty. I think this recipe would be beautiful with other types of fish.
Originally published April 17, 2020
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Really not necessary to peel ginger, it has a very thin skin. I keep mine in the freezer and just grate as much as need without peeling.
Thanks, Jude. Yup, young ginger does have a blissfully tender, thin, barely there skin. Although those of us stuck with markets that don’t get the uber fresh stuff are cursed with ginger that has a somewhat thicker, not-so-pliable skin that could mar a delicate dish, even if grated. But again, a swell tip for young ginger, thanks so much.
This recipe is delightful and highly recommended. The flavors are subtle but completely permeate the cod. Steaming helps the cod flesh retain moisture (if you’ve ever had the misfortune to sample overcooked cod you’ll know how tragic it can be).
We served this as part of a dinner with fish head soup, choy sum, and steamed rice. Perfection!