Smoked Cod – Easy Smoked Fish

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Caught fresh and smoked at home, or bought from the shop, smoked cod has always been a favorite of mine for weekend cookouts, fishing trips with friends, or special family dinners.

The way it flakes off when it’s cooked, and how it ends up being juicy after it’s smoked, is so delicious! Below is my simple recipe for smoking cod at home.

First, I start with a simple marinade (you are going to love the ginger it is in!), then we smoke it! You don’t want to end up with tough fish so make sure you follow my simple steps below.

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Easy Smoked Cod Recipe

You’ll love this smoked cod recipe because it’s perfect for summer gatherings, quick weeknight dinners, or casual lunch get-togethers. The ingredients are easy to source, and you can even use cod that you’ve caught yourself.

It’s one of those versatile white fish that works great as protein in other meals for meal prep sessions, family taco nights, or cozy soup dinners, and smoking it adds another layer of flavor that you just can’t get from an oven or pellet grill. It’s also ideal for entertaining guests or bringing to potluck events.

Why Cod is Good To Smoke!

Because cod is a light and almost opaque fish, it makes a great fish to smoke. The meat absorbs the smoke flavors deeply, which means it turns out rich and flavorsome. In terms of the way the cod cooks in the smoker, its light traces of saturated fats make it quick to cook, so it can be cooked on super-low heat.

What You’ll Need to Cook Smoked Cod

• Cod: Wild-caught cod is always recommended over farm-bred fish. People often use the loin part of the fish as well, but you can use the whole fish if you like. I have provded instructions below on how to filet your cod if you need.
• Water
• Ginger Ale
• Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
• Brown Sugar
• Garlic Powder
• Ground Ginger
• Cilantro
• Lemon Slices

How to Make Smoked Cod

Step 1:Make The Marinade

Add your chosen woods into the smoker and preheat your smoker to 180°F. Place the water, ginger ale, soy sauce, sugar, garlic powder, and ground ginger in a large bowl and whisk until everything is dissolved.

Step 2: Marinating the Cod

Add the cod to the marinade and place it in the fridge for 1 hour. You might need to weigh the fish down with a plate.

Step 3: Lightly Preparing the Cod before Smoking

Remove the fish from the marinade and pat dry.

Step 4: Smoking the Cod

Smoke the cod for 2 to 3 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.

What Temperature to Smoke Smoked Cod at

The smoker should be set at 180°F. Always pat down your fish before putting it in the smoker. The cod will need to be smoked for at least 2 to 3 hours. Smoke it longer at a lower temperature; that is the key to smoking white fish. 

What Internal Temperature You Need to Reach For Smoked Cod

The smoked cod should read at least 140°F as its internal temperature. That’s how you know it’s ready. The outside should be light brown, and the inside should be white. 

How To Fillet Cod

Filleting cod is easy. Grab a sharp knife and slice it from one end down to the next. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You can also smoke the cod whole because it’s a light meat and the marinade will take to it liberally.

You can buy already filleted cod. It’s a good idea (like with any meat) to cut the meat evenly so it smokes evenly in the smoker. With fish, it’s not all that necessary because it’s so thin.

It’s essential to remove the bones from your fish. This can be done easily with tweezers or a knife. Store-bought cod might have some smaller bones in there, but store-bought fish should usually come de-boned anyway!

How To Store Leftover Smoked Cod

Allow smoked cod to cool completely before storing in airtight containers or wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. For longer storage, wrap portions in freezer paper or vacuum-sealed bags and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, gently warm in a 300°F oven for 5-8 minutes, or flake cold smoked cod directly into salads, pasta dishes, or fish cakes. Avoid microwaving as it can make the texture rubbery and dry out the delicate fish.

My Favorite Wood Chips for Cod

You want to use light and fruity wood chips for this dish. You can use maple, pecan, apple, or cherry. Hickory or mesquite works well for cod, too.

What Marinade Can I Use?

I’ve put together an easy marinade to make at home that is a ginger soy base, but you can try a dry dill rub or other fish rubs — it just depends on your preference.

There are plenty of seasonings you can add to cod to enhance its taste: dill; lemon; parsley; and salt.

📌 Did you try this recipe?

Have you made this delicious recipe and loved it?

I would love it if you took a minute to leave a star rating and review. It is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that; thank you!

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What to Serve With Smoked Cod 🐟

• 🌽 Grilled Cornbread
• 🥦 Grilled Broccoli
• 🥕 Grilled Carrots with Brown Butter
• 🧄 Smoked Garlic Bread on a Traeger
• 🥔 Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole
• 🥗 Classic Texas BBQ Side Dishes
• 🥒 Smoked Pickles
• 🧅 Smoked Onion Bomb
• 🧀 Pit Boss Smoked Mac and Cheese

Smoke On!

Charlie

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