Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish & Herbed Bulgur

Baked Cod with Tomato-Olive Relish & Herbed Bulgur

Mia

This Mediterranean-inspired dish brings together the delicate, flaky texture of baked cod with a vibrant tomato-olive relish that bursts with sunshine flavors. The combination of juicy tomatoes, briny olives, fresh herbs, and a hint of garlic creates a relish that's both bright and savory, perfectly complementing the mild sweetness of the cod. This is the kind of meal that transports you to a seaside village along the Mediterranean coast, where fresh fish and simple, quality ingredients reign supreme.

The herbed bulgur serves as the perfect foundation for this dish, soaking up the flavorful juices from both the fish and the relish. Bulgur, a staple grain in Mediterranean cuisine, cooks quickly and provides a nutty, wholesome base that's rich in fiber and nutrients. Infused with fresh parsley and a touch of lemon, it adds both substance and brightness to the plate.

What makes this recipe truly special is its simplicity and balance. The cod bakes gently in the oven, requiring minimal hands-on time, while the relish comes together in minutes with no cooking required. It's a complete meal that adheres to Mediterranean Diet principles: lean protein, whole grains, healthy fats from olive oil, and plenty of vegetables and herbs. The result is a dinner that's as nourishing as it is delicious, proving that healthy eating never has to be boring or complicated.

Nutrition

33 minutes
None servings
385 calories
Fat 15.00g
Carbs 32.00g
Protein 35.00g

Ingredients

4 filletscod fillets, about 6 oz each, patted dry
1 cupbulgur wheat, medium grain
1.5 cupsvegetable broth
2 cupscherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cupkalamata olives, pitted and roughly chopped
3 clovesgarlic, minced
1/4 cupfresh parsley, chopped, divided
2 tbspfresh basil, chopped
4 tbspextra virgin olive oil, divided
1 wholelemon, zested and juiced
1 tbspred wine vinegar
1 tspsalt, divided
1/2 tspblack pepper, freshly ground, divided
1/2 tspdried oregano

Equipment

Cutting board
Oven
measuring spoons
measuring cups
medium saucepan with lid
paper towels
fork
chef's knife
medium mixing bowl
zester or microplane
citrus juicer
baking dish

16:8 Diet

This balanced meal is ideal for the 16:8 eating window, providing lean protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and vegetables that deliver sustained energy and satiety. The nutrient-dense ingredients help meet daily nutritional needs within the compressed eating timeframe.

80/20 Diet

This recipe exemplifies the 80/20 principle with over 80% of ingredients being nutrient-dense whole foods including fresh fish, whole grain bulgur, vegetables, and herbs. The minimal use of olive oil and olives provides healthy fats while maintaining the focus on anti-inflammatory, fiber-rich ingredients.

Anti-Inflammatory Diet

This anti-inflammatory recipe features omega-3 rich fish, extra virgin olive oil, colorful vegetables, and anti-inflammatory herbs like garlic, basil, and parsley. It avoids processed foods and refined ingredients while emphasizing whole foods that reduce inflammation and support overall health.

Clean Eating

This clean eating recipe uses only whole, minimally processed ingredients including fresh fish, whole grain bulgur, fresh vegetables, herbs, and extra virgin olive oil. Every ingredient is recognizable in its natural form with no artificial additives, preservatives, or refined components.

DASH Diet

This DASH-compliant recipe features lean fish protein, whole grain bulgur, abundant vegetables, and uses herbs and spices for flavor instead of excessive salt. The healthy fats from olive oil and potassium-rich vegetables support heart health and blood pressure management.

Diabetic Diet

This diabetic-friendly recipe features lean protein, whole grain bulgur with fiber to slow glucose absorption, and plenty of non-starchy vegetables. The balanced macronutrients and low-glycemic ingredients support stable blood sugar levels while providing complete nutrition.

Gluten-Free Diet

This recipe is naturally gluten-free, using bulgur wheat which, despite its name, is actually a wheat product and would NOT be gluten-free. However, bulgur can be easily substituted with quinoa or rice to make this dish completely gluten-free while maintaining all other Mediterranean flavors and nutritional benefits.

Heart-Healthy Diet

This heart-healthy recipe features omega-3 rich cod, extra virgin olive oil, whole grains, and abundant vegetables while avoiding saturated fats, trans fats, and excessive sodium. The Mediterranean-style preparation supports cardiovascular health through anti-inflammatory ingredients and healthy cooking methods.

Intermittent Fasting

This nutrient-dense meal is ideal for eating windows during intermittent fasting, providing lean protein from cod, complex carbohydrates from bulgur, healthy fats from olive oil, and plenty of vegetables to support satiety and stable blood sugar throughout fasting periods.

Intuitive Eating

This recipe supports intuitive eating by offering a balanced, satisfying meal that honors both nutrition and taste preferences. It includes a variety of flavors and textures from the flaky cod, herbed bulgur, and vibrant relish, providing both nourishment and pleasure without restriction or guilt-inducing language.

Mayo Clinic Diet

This recipe follows Mayo Clinic Diet principles with lean fish protein, whole grain bulgur, abundant vegetables, and healthy fats from olive oil in appropriate portions. It emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods and avoids refined ingredients, supporting sustainable weight loss and overall health.

Mediterranean Diet

This recipe is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that emphasizes extra virgin olive oil, wild-caught fish, whole grains (bulgur), fresh vegetables, and herbs. It avoids processed ingredients and red meat while showcasing the healthy fats, lean protein, and plant-based components that define Mediterranean eating patterns.

MIND Diet

This MIND Diet-friendly recipe emphasizes brain-healthy ingredients including fatty fish rich in omega-3s, whole grains, leafy herbs, vegetables, berries (tomatoes), and olive oil as the primary fat. It avoids red meat, butter, and fried foods while supporting cognitive health through nutrient-dense Mediterranean ingredients.

Mindful Eating

This recipe is perfect for mindful eating with its variety of colors, textures, and aromas that engage multiple senses. The combination of flaky fish, nutty bulgur, juicy tomatoes, and fresh herbs encourages slow, conscious consumption and sensory appreciation of whole, minimally processed ingredients.

Weight Watchers

This recipe aligns with Weight Watchers principles by featuring lean protein (cod), whole grains in moderate portions, abundant non-starchy vegetables, and minimal added fats. The nutrient-dense ingredients and reasonable portions support weight management while remaining satisfying and flavorful.

Instructions

1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

2
5 min

Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over high heat.

3

Once boiling, stir in the bulgur wheat, remove from heat, cover with a lid, and let stand for 12-15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the bulgur is tender.

4

While the bulgur is soaking, prepare the tomato-olive relish. In a medium bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, chopped Kalamata olives, minced garlic, half of the chopped parsley, chopped basil, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

3 min
5

Toss the relish ingredients together until well combined and set aside to let the flavors meld.

6

Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels and season both sides with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and the dried oregano.

1 min
7

Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a baking dish large enough to hold the four cod fillets in a single layer. Place the seasoned cod fillets in the dish.

8

Spoon the tomato-olive relish evenly over the top of each cod fillet, distributing it generously.

1 min
9

Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the cod is opaque throughout and flakes easily with a fork. The internal temperature should reach 145°F.

18 min
10

While the fish is baking, fluff the cooked bulgur with a fork and stir in the remaining parsley, lemon zest, remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

2 min
11

Divide the herbed bulgur among four plates, creating a bed for the fish.

12

Top each portion of bulgur with a cod fillet and spoon any remaining relish and pan juices from the baking dish over the fish. Serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions