Cod en Papillote for a weeknight

This Cod en Papillote recipe (cod in parchment paper) is a quick, simple, and elegant meal that's perfect for busy weeknight dinners, date nights at home, and dinner parties alike. So fresh, good for you, and vibrant!

Fish dinners are some of the favorite. They're usually quick, simple, and super flavorful.

And if you've never cooked anything "en papillote" before — translation: in foil, which can be folded parchment paper or aluminum foil — you're in for a real treat!

There's something magical about cooking fish in parchment paper. It's steamy, juicy, flavorful—and it always feels a little fancier than it actually is.

We love making cod en papillote when We want a quick, healthy dinner without any mess. It's perfect for busy weeknights, cozy date nights in, or when We simply want to pretend We'm at a cute little bistro in the south of France.

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🌟 Why this recipe works

If you're uncertain about cooking fish in parchment paper, here are some reasons you will LOVE this method of cooking:

Cooks in under 20 minutes
Light, healthy, and super flavorful
Makes cleanup ridiculously simple
Perfectly tender cod, every time
Looks fancy, but takes zero skill (truly!)
You can prep components ahead of time
Customizable with whatever veggies or herbs you've got

🛒 Ingredient notes

Here's what you'll need—and what each ingredient brings to the party:

Cod fillets – mild, flaky, and cooks like a dream in steam. Can sub with a different white fish like halibut, haddock, or sea bass.
Cherry tomatoes – juicy pops of sweetness that roast and burst while the fish cooks.
Lemon slices – bright, zesty flavor that cuts through the richness of the fish.
Shallots – slightly sweet, delicate onion flavor. Red onion works too.
Garlic – for that deep, savory kick.
Olive oil – brings everything together and helps the fish stay moist.
Fresh parsley – adds a fresh herby note at the end. Basil or dill work too.
Salt and pepper – essential for seasoning everything to life.

✅ Step-by-step instructions

You'll love how EASY it is to make this elegant seafood dinner! We'm including step-by-step photos so you can feel confident in making this dish. You'll find detailed cooking instructions and the full ingredients list with measurements in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Cut parchment paper into large rectangles.
Lay the cod in the center and season with salt and pepper.
Top with tomatoes, lemon slices, shallots, and garlic.

Drizzle with olive oil.
Fold the paper closed tightly to seal in steam.
Bake for 14–18 minutes until the cod flakes easily.
Open carefully (watch for steam!) and sprinkle with more parsley if you want to before serving.

👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

Can We use foil instead of parchment paper?

Yes! Parchment is prettier, but foil works simply as well and seals the steam in perfectly.

What kind of fish can We use instead of cod?

Halibut, sea bass, tilapia, or any white flaky fish is great. Simply adjust cook time depending on thickness.

Can We prep this in advance?

Totally. Assemble the packets a few hours ahead, refrigerate, and simply pop them in the oven when ready.

How do We know when the cod is done?

According to the FDA, fish is fully cooked when a thermometer has an internal reading of 135°F. It should flake easily with a fork and be opaque all the way through. Usually 14–18 minutes does the trick.

🍽 Serving ideas

This recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners, casual dinner parties, date nights in, and healthy lunch prep. And it's a tasty seafood dish that loves a good sidekick!

Try serving this tasty fish dish with:

Crusty homemade French bread for soaking up the juices
Light Pressure-cooker basmati rice
A crisp cucumber mint salad
Roasted asparagus or Pressure-cooker green beans

🍷 🥂 Wine pairings

Go with something light and citrusy to match the delicate flavors:

Sauvignon Blanc – bright, herbal, and zesty. Perfect with the lemon and parsley.
Vermentino – lightly floral with a mineral kick that complements cod beautifully.

🍳 Kitchen tools and equipment

Ready to make this recipe? Here are the kitchen tools and equipment you'll need:

parchment paper (or foil)
baking sheet
sharp knife and cutting board
kitchen tongs or spatula for opening hot packets

More fish recipes to try

Did you make this recipe? Don't forget to leave a 5-Star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card, and if you truly loved it, please leave a comment further down on the page. Thank you!

Cod en Papillote

By Marlynn Schotland Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 18 mins Total Time: 28 mins Servings: 4 servings This is an simple fish dish that only takes about 10 minutes of prep time and bakes in less than 10 minutes.

Equipment

1 Baking Sheet
parchment paper

Ingredients

4 cod filets (6 ounces each)
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1 large lemon, sliced thinly
1 Tablespoon finely diced shallots
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Cut out 4 pieces of 12" x 16" parchment paper.
In the center of each of the 4 pieces of parchment paper, place one cod filet.
Salt and pepper each filet.
Evenly divide tomatoes, lemon slices, shallots, garlic, and parsley to top each cod filet. Drizzle olive oil evenly over each filet.
Fold the parchment paper up over the center of each filet and fold over to seal, then seal the ends.
Bake at 400°F for 14-18 minutes, until each filet reaches 135°F. Serve immediately.

Notes

Makes 4 servings.

Nutrition

Calories: 822 kcal, Carbohydrates: 6 g, Protein: 161 g, Fat: 13 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 387 mg, Sodium: 784 mg, Potassium: 3894 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 2 g, Vitamin A: 644 IU, Vitamin C: 37 mg, Calcium: 162 mg, Iron: 4 mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.