This Grilled Cod with Romesco Sauce is a flavorful and healthy dish featuring tender grilled cod fillets served with a rich and smoky Romesco sauce.
Grilled cod is one of those dishes that proves seafood doesn’t need to be complicated to be delicious. Light, flaky, and mild in flavor, cod is the perfect canvas for bold sauces. And few sauces bring as much character to a plate as Romesco. With its smoky, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor, Romesco transforms a simple piece of grilled fish into a restaurant-worthy meal.
Romesco sauce originates from Catalonia, Spain, and is traditionally made with roasted red peppers, tomatoes, garlic, almonds, olive oil, and a touch of vinegar. The result is a thick, rustic sauce that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, vegetables, and especially seafood. Its rich texture and deep flavor come from toasting and blending the ingredients, giving it a satisfying complexity that’s hard to beat.
When paired with grilled cod, the contrast is perfect. The clean, delicate flavor of the fish balances out the punchy intensity of the sauce. Grilling adds a bit of char and smokiness to the cod, which plays nicely with the nuttiness and depth of the Romesco. Together, they form a dish that feels special but not fussy.
This pairing also lends itself to a wide range of sides. You can keep it fresh with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or grilled asparagus. Or go heartier with a side of potatoes or crusty bread to mop up any leftover sauce. Either way, it’s a meal that comes together easily but delivers big on taste.
Grilled cod with Romesco is ideal for those who want something light yet satisfying, fresh yet full of bold flavor. It’s just as suited for a casual weeknight dinner as it is for entertaining guests. And the best part is how little effort it takes, just quality ingredients, a hot grill, and a sauce that does all the heavy lifting.
If you’re looking to mix up your seafood routine, this dish is a standout. It’s balanced, vibrant, and a reminder that simple meals can still make a lasting impression.
Ingredients
- 4 fillets cod 6 ounces each
- 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground, to taste
- 2 cups red bell pepper roasted and peeled
- 1/4 cup almonds toasted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup olive oil for Romesco sauce
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Brush cod fillets with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the cod for 4-5 minutes on each side or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- While the cod is grilling, prepare the Romesco sauce by blending roasted red bell peppers, toasted almonds, minced garlic, sherry vinegar, smoked paprika, and olive oil in a food processor until smooth.
- Serve the grilled cod fillets with the Romesco sauce drizzled on top, or on the side.
Nutrition
Is romesco sauce really that good? Never have heard of it before! I’ll stick to ketchup for my fish.
I had my doubts about the combination, but it surprisingly worked well. A bit too oily for my taste though.
Loved the flavor! It was quick and easy to prepare. A keeper for my family dinners!
Wow!! I’m gonna try this tonight! Been looking for healthy recipes!
Grill n’ chill! This was amazing, will be adding it to my weekly menu!
The cod turned out super dry. Maybe I cooked it too long? Not sure if I’ll try this again.
Sorry to hear that! Cod can get dry if cooked too long. Maybe try less time next time?
I think you might be overcooking it! It’s usually quick on the grill, like 4 mins max. Don’t give up!
Grilled cod, who knew? I didn’t think fish could taste this good! 😋
The flavors were okay but too complicated for me. I’m just a simple cook!
Absolutely delicious! The romesco sauce adds such a great flavor to the cod. Will definitely make this again!
It was okay, but honestly, I’ve had better fish dishes. I probably won’t repeat it.
I tried this but ended up burning the fish. Maybe grill it on lower heat? Not super happy.
Easy to follow recipe! Will make it again for sure 🙂
Romesco sauce, huh? What’s that? Isn’t it just a dip? I didn’t like the taste. Cod was fine tho.
Love it! Made it for my fam and they are begging for more.
Romesco sauce? Never heard of it. Is it supposed to taste like BBQ?
I couldn’t get the sauce to blend right, it was chunky. What’s the secret to a smooth romesco?
Easy to follow!! But I messed up on the sauce, it turned out too chunky.
This was a hit at my dinner party! The Romesco sauce adds such a unique flavor. Will definitely make again!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The Romesco sauce really does elevate the dish.
Meh. Forgettable. 😐
Really? I loved it! The combination of cod and that sauce was fire! 🤤
I thought it was pretty tasty! The Romesco sauce added a nice flavor. Maybe you didn’t season it enough?
This grilled cod is to die for! The Romesco sauce makes it so delicious.
Cod is so dry if you grill it. I prefer baking it instead.
This was a flop! Cod is too bland, and the sauce wasn’t even good. What are people raving about?
I totally disagree! I think the Romesco sauce brings everything together. Maybe you just didn’t season it well?
This recipe is awesome! The romesco sauce really makes the dish pop.
I didn’t have sherry vinegar, used lemon juice instead. Still tasted good!
I don’t know about this recipe. Fish with bells peppers is weird. I prefer fried fish.
I tried this but it was too bland for me. Needs more seasoning!
I think it really depends on your taste buds! I added more spices and it was delicious! Maybe try that next time?
This recipe is great but where I live, we don’t have cod!! Can I use tilapia instead? Did anyone try that? 🤔
Simple and delicious! 😋 My family loved it! Just made some rice on the side, perfect!
I’m so happy to hear that your family enjoyed it! The rice sounds like a great addition too! 😊
Isn’t romesco sauce from Spain? Just curious.
Can I use another fish? Don’t have cod at home.
I dunno, isn’t cod like special or somethin’? I mean, can you just swap fish? What if it tastes weird?
You can definitely use another type of fish! Salmon or tilapia might work well. Just keep an eye on the cooking time, they may cook differently.
Wow, this sauce is nice! Never thought to use almonds in a sauce. 👍