Ingredients
Method
- Whisk together 1.5 tsp. (0.25 oz / 7.5g) lemon juice, 3 tbsp. (1.5 oz / 45g) lime juice, 0.25 cup (2 oz / 60g) orange juice, 0.125 tsp. (0.01 oz / 0.3g) cayenne pepper, 2 tbsp. (1 oz / 28g) extra virgin olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves (0.2 oz / 6g), and 0.33 cup (2.7 oz / 79g) water in a medium bowl to create the marinade base.
- Place the 16 oz (454g) cod filets in a shallow dish, pour the marinade over the fish, making sure to reserve exactly 0.25 cup (2 oz / 60g) of the liquid in a separate container for serving, and let the fish marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes.
- Preheat your grill or broiler to medium-high heat, then cook the marinated fish for about 4 minutes per side, basting regularly with the liquid remaining in the marinating dish to keep the fish moist and flavorful.
- Transfer the cooked fish to a serving plate and immediately top with the reserved 0.25 cup (2 oz / 60g) of marinade, 1 tbsp. (0.1 oz / 3g) freshly chopped thyme, and 2 tbsp. (0.2 oz / 6g) freshly chopped chives before serving.
- Pat the Fish Dry: Before adding your cod to the marinade, give the filets a quick pat with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This helps the olive oil and citrus bind better to the flesh.
Mind the Clock on the Citrus: Because the marinade contains a high amount of acid from the lemon, lime, and orange juices, do not marinate the cod for much longer than 30 minutes. If left too long, the acid will begin to "cook" the fish (similar to ceviche), resulting in a mushy texture.
Oil Your Grill Grates Generously: Cod is a delicate, lean white fish that loves to stick to grill grates. Make sure your grill is preheated to medium-high and use a paper towel dipped in high-heat oil (like avocado or canola oil) to thoroughly coat the grates right before placing the fish down.
Look for the Flake: You'll know your cod is perfectly cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 145°F (63°C) and the thickest part of the filet easily flakes apart with a gentle twist of a fork.