CaribbeanMedium · Hot
Cod gets fried until the outside is firm and golden, then immediately blanketed with bell pepper and onion that have been quick-pickled in hot white vinegar spiked with cayenne — the acid hits the hot fish and does something magic. The escovitch marinade seeps in as it rests, making the flesh tangy and fiery all the way through. Eat it now or eat it tomorrow; like all good escovitch, it only gets better.
10 min
25 min
35 min
Method
Pat the cod fillets dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and black pepper.
In a shallow dish, coat each fillet in all-purpose flour, shaking off any excess. Set aside on a plate.
In a small saucepan, combine white vinegar, honey, minced garlic, grated ginger, thyme sprigs, black pepper, salt, and cayenne. Whisk to blend.
Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
Slice the yellow onion into thin half-moons. Slice the red and green bell peppers into thin strips.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes until starting to soften.
Add the red and green bell pepper strips. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still retain some crunch. Remove to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and heat until shimmering.
Carefully lay the floured cod fillets in the hot oil. Cook undisturbed for 3-4 minutes until a golden crust forms on the bottom.
Flip each fillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily. The cod should be cooked through but still tender inside. Remove from heat.
Reheat the escovitch sauce gently if needed. Remove the thyme sprigs.
Divide the sautéed peppers and onions among four plates, placing a portion in the center of each plate.
Spoon the warm escovitch sauce generously over each fillet and around the plate. The sauce will meld with the peppers for that classic island finish.
Nutri-Score
Fair balance
A–E · lower is better · score 4
Calories
340
per serving
Protein
25g
Carbs
31g
Fat
13g
Sat. fat
11g
Fiber
3g
Sugar
14g
Sodium
1649mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Kitchen Equipment
Primary Tool
Large SkilletTechniques
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cook cod fillets to an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C). The fish should be opaque and flake easily when tested with a fork.
Cross Contamination
Use separate cutting boards and utensils for raw cod and the vegetables. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw fish before touching other ingredients.
Storage
Refrigerate any leftovers within 2 hours of cooking. Store in an airtight container and consume within 2-3 days for best quality and safety.
High Risk Population
This dish contains fish and gluten. Exercise caution when serving to pregnant women, young children, elderly individuals, or immunocompromised persons. Ensure thorough cooking to reduce foodborne illness risk.
Allergen Warning
This dish contains cod (fish allergen) and wheat flour (gluten allergen). Cross-contact with other allergens is possible if using shared cooking equipment.
Pro Tips
Technique
The key to escovitch is letting that vinegar sauce cool just slightly before it hits the hot fish — you want that sizzle and the sauce to slightly wilt the peppers without turning them mushy. And don't skip the rest after searing; that minute of patience means the crust stays intact under all that beautiful sauce.
Substitution
If cod isn't available, snapper or tilapia work beautifully — you just want a firm white fish that can hold its own against the bold sauce. And if scotch bonnets are hard to find, habaneros give you that same floral heat, just go light until you know the kick level.
From the chef
Escovitch is about the acid hitting the hot fish — that's the move. You fry the cod until the outside is firm and golden, then pour the hot vinegar-spiked marinade straight over while the flesh is still sizzling. Cayenne and garlic are already threaded through the pickling liquid, and as it seeps in the fish turns tangy and fiery all the way through. Bell peppers and onion go on top for crunch and color. Rest it an hour and it deepens. Rest it overnight and it's better still. This is a dish that rewards patience.
Source: generated · May 30, 2026