If you’ve ever been nervous about grilling fish, foil packets are the cheat code. Grilled cod in foil stays juicy, never sticks, and absorbs every bit of lemon, butter, and seasoning while it cooks. No flipping, no falling apart, no stress. My Southern roots and cooking style ensures the recipes I share always tender and very well seasoned!
This Grilled Cod Fish in foil recipe is ready in 10 minutes! This dish is seasoned with bbq seasoning, lemon pepper, paprika, and more. Pair this with any of your favorite vegetables and sides.
You will also love our Baked Cod in Foil recipe!
What Type of Fish to Use
You can use any white fish such as cod, tilapia, catfish, etc for this recipe with no adjustment to cook time.
How to Grill Cod in Foil
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Preheat grill.
- Place the fish on a piece of foil. Rub both sides of the fish with olive oil and sprinkle the spices onto both sides of the fish.
- Seal the foil around the fish.
- Grill.
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Grilled Cod in Foil
Want to save this recipe for later?
I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later! You will also grab your FREE ebook with my best 30-minute one-pot meals! Dinner stress stops here.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound cod fish
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon BBQ Rub
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat, 375 degrees.
- Place the fish on a piece of foil (large enough to cover and seal the fish). Rub both sides of the fish with olive oil and sprinkle the spices onto both sides of the fish. Rub the spices in to ensure the flavor penetrates.
- Seal the foil around the fish.
- Place the fish on the grill.
- Grill the fish until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. This usually takes 8-12 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Additional Toppings and Ideas
- Roasted Garlic
- Lemon slices
- Lime wedges
- Orange zest
- Garlic butter
- Herb butter
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh dill
- Fresh thyme
- Chives
- Green onions
- Capers
- Cherry tomatoes
- Sliced red onions
- Shallots
- Spinach
- Zucchini slices
- Asparagus tips
- Bell pepper strips
- Olives
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Crumbled feta
- Parmesan cheese
Frequently Asked Questions and Recipe Pro Tips
I like to use a combination of smoked paprika, my Homemade BBQ Seasoning and Lemon Pepper Seasoning. You can use whatever you like. You favorite BBQ rub or fish rub, garlic powder, onion powder, dill, or oregano all work great.
No. I like to use foil because it's easy to clean up and because white fish is very delicate. Using foil makes it simple to place on the grill grates and it's easy to remove the fish once it has finished cooking. Using foil will also look in heat and moisture and allow the fish to cook at an even and consistent temperature. The end result is tender, juicy, and flaky fish.
If you aren't using foil, I recommend greasing your grill grates with oil to prevent sticking.
You will need to heat the grill to medium, I use 375 degrees. Getting to know your grill is important. Most modern and newer grills will display the temperature.
If you don’t have a temperature dial you can do a hand test to see if the grill has reached medium-high. You can read more about How to Check the Temperature of Your Grill here.
You can use either grill for this recipe. I personally use a gas grill most often. They are just so convenient, there’s less clean up, and they preheat very quickly.
It will typically take 8-12 minutes to grill the fish. Cook the fish until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Some like to cook their seafood to around 135 degrees. Do what you prefer.
Here’s how to know it’s done:
It flakes easily: Open the foil and gently press a fork into the thickest part. If it separates into soft flakes with little effort, it’s ready.
It turns opaque: Raw cod looks translucent. Fully cooked cod turns solid white and slightly firm.
It reaches 130–135°F for tender, 145°F for fully done: Cod continues cooking after you pull it from the grill. I usually remove it around 130–135°F for juicy fish. If you prefer the USDA guideline, cook to 145°F.
It feels lightly firm, not rubbery: Perfect cod is tender and moist. If it feels stiff or dry, it’s overcooked.
I don’t recommend the microwave for cooked fish. You risk tough texture when using the microwave. I recommend the air fryer or oven at 350 degrees until warm.
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge tightly covered and sealed for 3-4 days.
Pair With these Grilled Recipes
How to Grill the Best Burgers
How to Grill Chicken Wings
Grilled Asparagus in Foil
Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
More Fish Recipes
Lemon Pepper Fish
Nobu Miso Black Cod Recipe
Poke Bowls with Spicy Mayo Sauce
Pan Seared Cod with Lemon Butter
Shadi says
Easy and delicious, this one is a keeper. I know I’m going to make it over and over again!
staysnatched says
So glad to hear it!
Micki says
10 out of 10! Yum! The BBQ seasoning, lemon pepper, paprika are the perfect flavors to compliment the cod. I'll definitely make this again! It'd be perfect for when my in-laws are over this weekend.
staysnatched says
Yay! So glad to hear it.
Erica K says
Listen! Staysnatched recipes have me feeling like the people’s champ with my child during dinner time! My son said Mom, I give this fish a 10 out of 10, and he has good taste! The cod came out just right and the flavor pairing was on point! I’ll be making this again and again! Thanks for the quick and easy recipe for a Busy Mom!
staysnatched says
Yay! Perfect for busy moms!