The buttery cod, sweet-tart grapefruit, and a gingery sesame oil dressing make the most amazing seafood salad!
Remember back when I made those amazing Chicken, Rice, and Mango Wraps? One of the things I said was that it made more dressing than you needed. That dressing was too good to let it just live the rest of its days shoved back in the corner of my fridge.
I wasn't going to let this wonderful dressing with its earthy hints from the sesame oil and sweet heat from the ginger go to waste! I thought that it would pair beautifully with seafood and citrus, and with that thought this Cod Salad with Grapefruit was created!
Ingredients.
For the gingery dressing you will need:
- Rice vinegar - you can use white wine vinegar, but rice has a more delicate flavor.
- Vegetable oil - I've used peanut oil, canola oil, olive oil, and avocado oil. They all worked!
- Mayonnaise - I like to use avocado-based mayo, but you can use your favorite.
- Soy sauce - I used low sodium.
- Ginger and garlic - I finely chopped ginger and garlic, but you could definitely use storebought garlic or ginger paste if you want them to dissolve in the dressing.
- Toasted sesame oil - be sure and get the toasted variety.
For the salad you will need:
- Lettuce - use your favorite type. I like to use butter or bibb lettuce since the fish is so delicate.
- Cod - you could also substitute salmon.
- Grapefruit - fresh, white or pink. Pink makes a pretty contrast with the fish.
- Fresh chives, parsley, or green onions for garnish - optional, but adds flavor and color.
Step-by-step instructions.
This comes together so quickly, perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!
If you don't have leftover dressing prepare the dressing by combining all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and whisk, or do what I do and put them in a mason jar and shake to combine.
Let the flavors of the dressing blend together while you section the grapefruit. Remove the peel and pith and cut the grapefruit sections and then you want to supreme them - follow this How to Supreme Citrus Fruit for guidance. Then cut it into bite-sized pieces.
Tear your lettuce into salad-sized pieces.
The cod cooks quickly so, prepare your plates first. Divide the lettuce and grapefruit segments between two plates. Drizzle with some of the dressing.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil. While that is heating, pat the cod very dry and season both sides with salt and pepper. When the oil is just smoking, add the cod and cook for 2-3 minutes on the first side and carefully flip the fish over. A fish spatula comes in handy!
Cook for about 2 minutes on the other side. You could add some butter and baste the cod if you'd like.
Serve the salad with the cod on top, garnish with the green onions, and drizzle a bit more dressing.
Such a light and refreshing salad. This is prefect for those dog days of summer. It's also great in the winter when you want something a little lighter.
More main dish seafood salads.
Recipe.
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Cod Salad with Grapefruit
Ingredients
Dressing.
- ยผ cup rice vinegar
- ยผ cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- โ cup soy sauce
- โ cup fresh ginger finely chopped
- 1 cloves garlic finely minced
- ยผ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Salad.
- 16 ounces cod filets 2 8-ounce filets
- 6 cups bib lettuce torn into bite sized pieces
- 1 grapefruit peeled and supremed
- 1 green onion for garnish
Instructions
- Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or place them in a mason jar and shake briskly to combine.
- Divide lettuce between two plates and top with the grapefruit segments. Drizzle a little of the dressing over each plate.
- Pat the cod dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a drizzle of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cod and cook for about 2-3 minutes per side or until fish is flaking easily. You can push down on it a bit with your spatula to ensure even contact.
- Place the cod on top of the salads, drizzle with a little more dressing and garnish with green onions.
Notes
Nutrition
This was originally published in 2014 and has been updated for 2023.
Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says
What a pretty salad! The combination of flavors sound delicious!
Ali @ Home & Plate says
I'm a huge fan of grapefruit and it has to be absolutely delicious with fresh cod. Perfect summer salad.
Deb in Hawaii says
O love how fresh and yummy this looks. The cod with that dressing sounds amazing--especially with that grapefruit. A perfect dinner for a warm night. ๐ Thanks for sharing it with Souper Sundays this week.
Michelle says
Pam, this is a perfect, light, refreshing dish for summer. I don't use grapefruit nearly enough. Have actually had it with fish before and very much enjoyed it that way. Thank you for stopping in and linking!
Oh, and no, you aren't the only one. I have several containers of dressings and sauces just sitting. waiting...
sippitysup says
I've had every seafood salad imaginable, but never cod. Very creative. GREG
grace says
i haven't tried cod that wasn't breaded and fried, so this seems like a fresh and delightful way to eat fish!
Kevin @ Closet Cooking says
What a nice, light, healthy and tasty meal!
Patricia Scarpin says
I love fish and should eat it more often - that dish is making me hungry, Pam!
Love the new look of your blog, so beautiful!
xx
Barbara says
I adore anything with grapefruit. Your reserved dressing put the final perfect touch on this salad, Pam.
Joanne says
Good call on saving that dressing! It does sound pretty perfect for this salad!