Did you just buy Ling Cod? Don’t let it go rancid in the refrigerator. Ling cod might not be the same as Cod; however, it has several recipes.

You’re just a simple ling cod recipe away from mastering this particular fish. Additionally, you can also develop personalized recipes.

This blog features a list of recommended accompaniments for a ling cod recipe.

You don’t have to wonder anymore. Ling cod is easy to prepare, and here are some sauce options to consider.

So, What Is a Ling cod?

Despite its name, Ling Cod is neither a ling nor a cod.Its name comes from the fact that it resembles features of both ling and cod.

Ling cod belongs to the greenling family Hexagrammidae. It is also known as the buffalo cod, cultus cod, or Buckethead. It is the only extant member of the genus Ophiodon.

Ling Cods can grow up to 5 feet and 80 pounds. Their color varies from dark gray to brown, with a greenish hue on the back, and some copper-colored mottling or spotting along the upper back.

Lingcod have firm white flesh and a mild fish flavor. It is quite similar to halibut but is significantly less expensive, making it a more economical choice.

How To Clean Ling Cod?

Cleaning cod properly enhances the taste of your ling cod recipe. Here’s how I do it:

1. Remove fins first – Cut dorsal and bottom fins close to the flesh. Use fish shears if you have them.

2. Take off the head – Lift the gill plate and slice behind the gills. Angle toward the head and cut to the spine on both sides.

3. Remove the collar – This is the flesh behind the gills. Slice behind the bottom fins down to the bone.

4. Make the first cut – Put the fish on its side. Cut behind the front fin down to the spine.

5. Slice along the backbone – Turn your knife flat and slice toward the tail. Let the bones guide you.

6. Remove rib bones – Slice under them carefully. Angle your knife up to save meat.

7. Pull out pin bones – Find the small bones near the center. Use fish tweezers to remove them.

8. Remove the skin – Place the fillet skin-down. Cut through flesh to skin. Hold skin tight and slide the knife forward.

This method yields clean fillets, ready for cooking.

Top Sauces to Level Up Your Ling Cod Recipes

Sauce is the soul of a recipe. It can make or break it. You can find a great deal of information regarding sauces for most fish recipes. Ling cod is no different. 

Here are some handpicked sauces for a yummy Ling Cod Recipe:-

1. Lemon Caper Sauce

• Mix 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper with 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Add 2 tablespoons of butter and juice from 1 lemon
• Stir in 1 tablespoon of capers and serve

2. Creamy Garlic Sauce

• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat
• Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant
• Add flour and cook until golden
• Slowly whisk in half-and-half and chicken stock
• Let the sauce simmer until it thickens
• Stir in parsley, salt, and pepper

3. White Wine Tomato Basil Sauce

• Use non-alcoholic white wine or substitute with low-sodium chicken broth
• Add 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar for extra flavor
• Use fresh garlic and fragrant basil with deep green leaves
• Select juicy cherry tomatoes and add fresh lemon juice as needed

4. Lemon-Garlic Butter Sauce

• Heat 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a pan over low heat
• Add 1 grated garlic clove and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, cook 1 minute
• Remove from the heat and add 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• Add black pepper, parsley, and red pepper flakes if desired

5. Chimichurri Sauce

• Whisk together 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar, and 1 minced garlic clove
• Add 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Mix in 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika and 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Use a mortar and pestle or a food processor as an alternative mixing method

6. Lemon Pepper Aioli and Wilted Chard

• For aioli: mix egg yolk, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and zest
• Add minced garlic, salt, and pepper
• Slowly add equal parts canola and olive oil until thick
• For chard: sauté cut chard with olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice

7. Avocado Sauce

• Use 1 ripe avocado for 2 servings of fish
• Add juice from 1/2 small lemon and 1 tablespoon mustard
• Mix in olive oil and seasoned salt to taste
• Mash avocado and combine all ingredients, then refrigerate

8. Creamy Curry Sauce

• Combine 1/2 cup sake with 1 small diced tomato
• Add a squeeze of lemon or a dash of vinegar
• Mix in 2 tablespoons chopped green onion and 1/2 to 2 tablespoons curry sauce
• Season with salt to taste

9. Romesco Sauce

• Blend roasted red peppers, almonds, and sun-dried tomatoes
• Add 1-2 garlic cloves, sherry or red wine, and smoked paprika
• Include cayenne pepper and extra-virgin olive oil
• Serve with pasta or add to your ling cod recipe

10. Thai Peanut Sauce

• Mix 1/3 cup of peanut butter with 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger
• Add 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of rice wine vinegar
• Include 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds and optional red pepper flakes
• Add 2-4 tablespoons of hot water gradually until the desired thickness

11. Salsa Verde

• Broil 1 1/2 pounds tomatillos and 1-2 jalapeños
• Blend with 1/2 cup chopped white onion and 1/4 cup cilantro
• Add 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup lime juice and salt to taste
• Optional: add 1-2 diced avocados for a creamy version

12. Teriyaki Sauce

• Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, honey, and spices in a saucepan
• Add cornstarch and water, stir constantly over medium heat
• Cook 5-7 minutes until thickened to the desired consistency
• Remove from heat and let cool before serving

Handpicked Recipes for Ling Cod Lovers

Based on different cooking methods for fish, here are three recipes that blend all the flavors from your favorite sauce. Go ahead to experiment with a sauce of your choice and create a unique recipe.

Cooking time can vary depending on the method or the thickness of the fish.

Pan-Seared 

Step 1. Pat the fillets dry. Dust with flour, and shake off any excess. Sprinkle them on both sides with salt and pepper. If you’re gluten-free, it’s fine to use an all-purpose gluten-free flour. 

Step 2. Add oil and butter to a heavy pan. Wait for the butter to melt, and then add the lingcod to the pan. Cook the fillets for about 4 minutes, or until a thin metal spatula will easily slide under each fillet.

Note: If the fish sticks to the pan and won’t release, wait 30 seconds and try again.

Step 3. Flip the fish, and top each fillet with a knob of butter. Add your desired prepared sauce and stir for an additional 5 minutes. Fish will be golden on both the top and bottom and opaque all the way through when finished cooking.

Tip: In case you don’t have a Ling Cod, you can substitute it with a Halibut. Also, delicate fish will be more difficult to pan-sear than sturdy, dense fish (like lingcod and halibut).

Baked Tahini Ling Cod

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350-400°F. Bake your lingcod fillets with some drizzle over 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of olive oil for 15 minutes. 

Step 2. Sauté your chopped onion and mushrooms until they’re nicely browned, approximately 8 minutes. Add the baked fillet to this pan later.

Step 3. In a food processor, mix tahini, garlic, lemon juice, water, salt & pepper, or prepare another desired sauce of your choice to add to the baked fillet later.

Add the sauce to the pan and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the fish is opaque and the sauce is bubbling.  You can also add a splash of vinegar or hot sauce for an extra burst of flavor.

Poached Ling Cod in Coconut Milk

Step 1. Sauté the garlic, ginger, and onion in a saucepan until they are soft. 

Step 2. Stir in the coconut milk and other sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil, then turn the heat to medium. Place in the pan, cover, and cook for 16-20 minutes.

You can use this recipe for leftover Ling Cod as the milk neutralizes the previous flavour, depending on how strong the spices were.

Grilled Ling Cod

Step 1. To grill lingcod, preheat your grill, oil the grates or use a foil-lined pan to prevent sticking, season the fillets, and grill for about 3-10 minutes per side.

Step 2. Brush the cod on both sides with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper. Use the remaining olive oil on a paper towel to brush your grill grate.

Step 3. Place the fillet over direct heat and let it sear for about 6 minutes, or until the fish can be easily lifted off the grate with a spatula. Flip the fish and cover it with a lid for another 4 to 5 minutes. 

Step 4. Check the thickest part of the fish by pulling back some of the flesh to see inside the meat, and if you get a nice white interior. Then remove and serve with Chimichurri Sauce.

Serving Suggestions

Ling Cod recipe can be treated like any cod or fish recipe. Toppings are very personal to each individual. From rice, boiled broccoli, prosecco risotto, and beans to oven-baked bread crumbs. 

Vegetables that can suit a ling cod recipe are:

• Grilled Romaine Lettuce
• Grilled Broccolini
• Roasted Potatoes
• Grilled Green Beans
• Lime Wedges
• Pickled Red Onions

Other than this, Guacamole and tomatillo salsa can be served with a Ling Cod recipe.

In wines, white wines pair best with fish. Here are some options:

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Pinot Grigio
• Albariño
• Chardonnay
• Burgundy (Chablis or White Burgundy)
• Dry Sparkling Wine
• Dry Rosé

Red Flags of Seafood

When purchasing seafood, shoppers should look out for these warning signs.

Fresh fish should smell like the ocean, not fishy or sour. The eyes must be clear and bright, not cloudy or sunken.

Flesh should feel firm and spring back when pressed. People should avoid fish with a slimy texture or dull skin. Gills should be red or pink, never brown or gray. For shellfish, shells must close when tapped.

If they stay open, buyers shouldn’t purchase them. Customers should trust their nose – bad seafood has a strong, unpleasant smell that’s hard to miss.

These simple checks help ensure quality seafood purchases.

Takeaway

Ling Cod recipe essentially requires some reading and learning. Cooking, mostly, is about experimenting with the flavours and sauces.

Where jalapenos don’t work, try adding a fruit. Mandarin can be added to the recipe, as its citrusy flavor adds a nice twist to the dish.

One must be aware of the red flags when purchasing seafood to prevent health problems.

The wines and vegetables can be a good addition to the recipe. No dish is complete without a good wine or toppings.

The curious cook in you can experiment with these recipes to create your own personal recipe. Cooking is a tricky sport. It requires patience and creativity. Don’t forget to ask your friends and family to provide feedback and make a few tweaks to the recipe.