Mediterranean Cod en Papillote (Fish in Parchment Paper)
This Mediterranean cod en papillote is the most genius way to quickly achieve a simple, healthy, and super delicious dinner. Just steam fish with veggies in a simple parchment paper packet – dinner is done!
What is En Papillote?
Let’s just say I’m convinced that “en papillote” (or “in paper”) has become one of my favorite ways to do weeknights. It’s a French cooking technique where a combination of fish (or poultry) and veggies are folded into a parchment paper pouch, then perfectly steamed in the oven.
So if you’re looking to up the ante of my garlic herb baked cod, this Mediterranean cod en papillote recipe is a no-brainer. It hits the spot with simple and fresh coastal flavors while ensuring you have four all-in-one meals done at the same time.
Mediterranean Cod en Papillote Ingredients
Similar to my Greek sheet pan chicken, the cod is infused with bright Mediterranean flavors and surrounded by fresh vegetables. Here’s what you’ll need!
- Fish: I typically buy fresh cod filets from my local seafood store. But frozen filets will work just fine as long as you thaw them in the fridge the night before. Just try to make sure they’re all about the same size.
- Seasoning & Aromatics: To infuse the cod with flavor, I’m using a simple combo of salt, pepper, fresh thyme, and lemon slices.
- Vegetable: This recipe starts with a layer of zucchini slices, then it’s topped with grape tomatoes and olives. For the olives, feel free to use Kalamata olives, green olives (I’m using Castlevetrano), or a combination of both!
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How To Make Cod en Papillote
Before we get started, I suggest grabbing a box of these parchment paper sheets. They’re 12×16 inches — perfect for folding the fish into a pouch!
Assemble the packets. Fold the parchment paper in half, then open it. Add several slices of zucchini in the center of one half, then top with a piece of cod. Season it with salt and pepper.
Add toppings. Top the cod with 2 to 3 lemon slices, a few slices of shallot, a handful of tomatoes and olives, and a spring of thyme. Then drizzle a little olive oil on top of everything.
Helpful tip: If you’re using larger cherry tomatoes rather than grape tomatoes, feel free to cut them into quarters. You can also slice the olives in half or in quarters, it’s up to you!
Fold and seal the pouches. Fold the top half of the parchment paper over the bottom half, then tightly roll up the edges around the cod. Repeat this process with the other 3 pieces of cod.
Bake the cod. Place the 4 parchment paper packets on a baking sheet, place in the oven, and bake for 14 to 18 minutes at 400°F (200°C). The cook time will depend on the thickness of your fish, so keep an eye on it as cod can easily overcook.
Serve it up! Use a knife to pierce the center of each parchment packet, and open it up before serving.
Storage Tips
- Storing for the week: This recipe is great for meal prepping individual meals. Just store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
- Freezing for later: You can freeze this in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Just make sure to let it thaw in the fridge overnight when you’re ready to eat.
- How to reheat cod: For the fastest method, just pop a portion in the microwave for a minute or two, until warmed through
Serving idea: Not only is this cod en papillote recipe super easy and healthy, but it also presents beautifully making it perfect for dinner parties! You can pre-slice all of the veggies, then just assemble and cook when guests arrive. I love to serve them up with a side of black lentils.
Mediterranean Cod en Papillote Recipe Video
If you’re having trouble visualizing this recipe (especially the folded pouches), take a peek at the video below!
More Mediterranean Recipes
There’s a reason why I always gravitate toward these Mediterranean recipes. They’re light, fresh, healthy, and will make you feel good from the inside out.
- Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
- Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
- Greek Avgolemono Soup
- Very Best Lentil Soup
- Roasted Branzino with Citrus Pesto
I guarantee this Mediterranean cod en papillote will become a dinner staple. Once you make it, let me know your thoughts about this recipe in the comment box below!
Mediterranean Cod en Papillote (Fish in Parchment Paper)
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 medium zucchini
- 4 (6-ounce) cod filets
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 lemons, thinly sliced
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 20 olives, halved or quartered
- 20 grape tomatoes, halved
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Assemble the packets. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Fold a 12×16-inch sheet of parchment paper in half, then open it. Add several slices of zucchini in the center of one half, then top with a piece of cod. Season with salt and pepper.
- Add toppings. Top the cod with 2 to 3 lemon slices, a few slices of shallot, a sprig of thyme, 5 olives, and 5 tomatoes (it's okay if these fall to the side). Drizzle a little olive oil on top.
- Fold and seal. Fold the top half of the parchment paper over the bottom half, then tightly roll up the edges around the cod. Repeat this process with the other 3 pieces of cod.
- Bake. Place the 4 parchment paper packets on a baking sheet, place in the oven, and bake for 14 to 18 minutes (depending on thickness), or until the cod is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
- To serve. Use a knife to pierce the center of each parchment packet, and open it up before serving.
Lisa’s Tips
- Here are the parchment papers I’m using for this recipe!
So good!!! Super super easy to make. The fish melts in your mouth & it’s healthy to boot. I would add more grape tomatoes for my taste / they were a great acidic balance to the dish. Love this!!
Yes, you can definitely add more tomatoes if you’d like. Happy you love the recipe!
I have made this twice with hake and salmon. It’s an easy way to get more veggies in the diet and my picky eater partner loves it. It’s now a regular dinner for us and it’s so easy to put together!
Glad you’re both loving this recipe!
This is so delicious. I have been making it every week!! I added black garlic this last time which was also delicious!! Thank you so much for this light, healthy and flavor packed recipe. It’s hard to find good fish recipes and this comes out perfect every time!
Happy to hear this has become a dinner staple!
This was absolutely fantastic! Easy and quick to make and tasted amazing! I used haddock instead of cod, but still, it worked just great!
Glad this worked out great with haddock!
So good!!!!!!
Thank you, Lisa for this delightful recipe! My husband already asked when I am making it again! This light and fun to prepare recipe is definitely in our weeknight dinner rotation. 💗
Glad this cod recipe has made it into your weekly rotation Lori!
Wow. This was phenomenal! My local grocer finally had some fresh cod that looked phenomenal, so my family and I picked some up for this recipe. And WOW, this recipe knocked it out of the park!! So fresh, so succulent, so filling. Absolutely phenomenal. Cannot wait to add this to my meal rotation!
Thrilled to hear you’re loving this Mediterranean cod! I’m sure the fresh cod tasted wonderful in this recipe.
Another WINNER! Thanks Lisa, my husband and I really loved this cod, and mine came out just as beautiful as yours – very easy!! Great flavors, and perfectly done. Thanks for sharing!!
Isn’t it so easy to make? Glad you loved it Michelle!
That’s a beautiful meal!! How do you get form the bag to the plate without destroying the look?
Hold it from the bottom and move fairly quickly!
Thank you so much for the inspiration Lisa! As a working single parent, I meal plan and use a handful of sites like yours as inspiration to reduce decision fatigue in my life 🙂. I added this to my rotation this week and made it last night (cold snowy night here on the east coast). It was perfect. I added red bell peppers because my 11 is not a fan of zucchini (she did eat it as well as the peppers after all). This is a fantastic, easy and healthy dish. We will be making it again. It’s also a great easy dish to get the kid to help with. Halibut was on sale so that’s what we had. Thanks again! Mom and kid approved!
Glad you and the kiddos enjoyed this Mediterranean cod Annelise!
Delicious! And so easy to make!
Glad you enjoyed this cod recipe Jachelle!
This was amazingly easy and delicious. Weekly meal for us! Yum. Thank you for the wonderful recipe. LisaG
Glad you enjoyed this recipe Lisa!
This dish looks extremely easy, well balanced and full of flavor Lisa! We can’t wait to make it.
Hope you enjoy it Karin!
Love the flavour and look in the parcels, I added some precooked sliced garlic potatoes under the zucchini to bulk it up a bit so I didn’t need to take it out of the paper and spoil the look.
Those garlic potatoes sound like a great addition!
Striking photos, Lisa — so pretty!
Thanks so much Rachel!
This looks so simple and tasty! What modifications do you suggest if the cod is frozen?
Just make sure to thaw your frozen cod in the fridge the day before. Then, you can continue with the recipe as written.
Looks fantastic! Will definitely make soon!
Yay, hope you love the recipe, Linda!
This was AWESOME. I love the fact that you stressed the point of NOT overcooking the fish! Most people do not realize that fish cooks rather quickly. Having been a commercial fisherman for over 45 years I have cooked many species of seafood and so award your recipe 5 stars!!! Carry on!
Thanks so much Allan! And yes, not overcooking fish is key. :)
I tried this as soon as I saw the video as I was planning on having cod anyway. It’s absolutely delicious and so simple. The only change I made was I pre-cooked the courgette a little by frying it off in some olive oil. I had it will green beans and a couple of new potatoes I had left over from yesterday. A winner for me.
Wonderful! I’m so happy you loved the recipe, Ellie!