Golden Cod with Shrimp and Mushrooms in Garlic Sauce

Golden cod with shrimp and mushrooms in garlic sauce combines gently handled fish, quick-cooking shrimp, and browned mushrooms in one skillet. Olive oil, sliced garlic, lemon juice, and fish broth create a light pan sauce rather than a cream-based coating. Parsley finishes the seafood just before serving.

This recipe takes about 35 minutes, with each component cooked separately before a brief final warming. Prepare the mushrooms and garlic first so you can move between stages without leaving the seafood waiting over heat. Jump to the recipe card for the ingredients and complete method.

Why Cook the Cod and Shrimp Separately?

Cod fillets and shrimp cook at different rates and need different handling. Searing the cod first gives it a chance to brown without being moved around other ingredients. The shrimp then cook quickly, and the mushrooms can soften and color before any liquid is added.

The final sauce draws flavor from the skillet. Broth or water loosens the browned bits, while lemon juice adds brightness. The fish returns only after the sauce is ready, which helps keep the fillets intact and avoids simmering them throughout the mushroom-cooking stage.

Cod, Shrimp, and Garlic Sauce Ingredients

• 4 cod fillets, desalted and well dried
• 250 g raw shrimp, peeled
• 200 g fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 5 to 6 garlic cloves, finely sliced
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp sweet paprika
• ¼ tsp dried chili flakes, optional
• ½ cup fish broth or water
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

A Note About Desalted Cod

The ingredient list specifies desalted cod. If starting with a salted product, complete its recommended desalting process before beginning this recipe; the stated cooking time does not include that preparation. Follow the product instructions rather than assuming all salted cod requires the same treatment.

Dry the prepared fillets well before searing and add salt cautiously. Desalted fish can retain some salt, and the broth may add more. Use similarly sized fillets when possible and check their thickest portions during cooking rather than applying one timing to every piece.

How to Make Golden Cod with Shrimp and Mushrooms

1. Prepare and Season the Seafood

Pat the cod and peeled shrimp dry. Season the cod with black pepper and a little salt only if needed. Slice the mushrooms and garlic, and measure the oil so the separate additions use the listed total of 4 tablespoons.

2. Sear the Cod

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cod and cook for about 3–4 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until golden and cooked through. Turn carefully with a suitable spatula, then lift the fillets out and set them aside.

3. Cook the Shrimp

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Season the shrimp with sweet paprika, black pepper, and salt to taste. Cook for about 1–2 minutes per side, checking that they are opaque and cooked through. Remove them from the pan while preparing the mushrooms.

4. Brown the Mushrooms and Build the Sauce

Add the remaining tablespoon of oil and the sliced mushrooms. Cook for 4–5 minutes, until softened and golden. Lower the heat, add the garlic and optional chili flakes, and cook for about 30 seconds. Pour in the broth or water and lemon juice, scrape up the browned bits, and simmer for 2–3 minutes.

5. Warm Together and Serve

Return the cod and shrimp to the skillet. Spoon the garlic sauce and mushrooms over them rather than stirring forcefully. Warm gently for 1–2 minutes, just until everything is hot. Scatter with parsley and serve with the remaining sauce spooned over each portion.

Tips for Intact Fish and Flavorful Mushrooms

Drying the fish and shrimp before cooking reduces the surface moisture entering the skillet. Let the cod brown before trying to turn it, and support the fillet as you lift it. Once the fish is cooked, handle it as little as possible during the final assembly.

Give the mushrooms their own cooking stage before adding broth. They release moisture as they heat, then develop color as that liquid reduces. Adding the garlic after this stage keeps it from spending the full mushroom-cooking time against the hot pan.

The timing is a guide because the fillets’ weights and thicknesses are not specified. Check actual doneness rather than extending every stage automatically. The FDA recommends 145°F for most seafood; a thermometer can help check the thickest fish portion without repeatedly breaking it apart.

Serving Suggestions and Related Recipes

Rice, mashed potatoes, or crusty bread can catch the lemon garlic sauce. A simple green salad adds a fresh contrast, while steamed vegetables keep the side dishes straightforward. Plate the cod first, add shrimp and mushrooms around it, then spoon over the sauce.

For another mixed seafood meal, try Cazuela de Mariscos, which uses a coconut and tomato broth. If you want a seafood bake instead of a skillet dish, see the garlic butter shrimp and scallop bake. Both provide different flavors while keeping the seafood central.

Frequently Asked Questions

Golden Cod with Shrimp Recipe Card