What Is Pacific Cod: A Comprehensive Guide | Wild Alaskan Company (2024)

Pacific cod’s mild, subtle sweetness and flaky texture makes it a delicious protein to use in a variety of meals. These qualities make this species easy to enjoy as your go-to white fish in everyday lunches and dinners. As part of a balanced and healthy routine, it has many potential health benefits. But if it’s a regular feature of your diet, you may wonder, is cod good for you when compared to other wild-caught species?

In terms of health, there are several factors to consider, like mercury level, the nutritional profile, and even the sustainability of harvesting practices. Ultimately, your specific health needs will determine whether or not this fish is healthy to eat on a regular basis.

What is cod?

What Is Pacific Cod: A Comprehensive Guide | Wild Alaskan Company (1)

Pacific cod is a white fish that can be found off the coast of Alaska. It is a true species of cod, like Atlantic cod.Some people refer to this fish as codfish. Both varieties are distinct species of white fish. Black cod, otherwise known as sablefish, is not a true cod — rather, it has this name because it simply resembles cod.

Pacific cod has a higher moisture content than the Atlantic variety, which gives it a slightly bouncier texture when cooked, more like lobster when perfectly prepared. If you’re finding it challenging to get the doneness right for this species, see WAC’s helpful cooking tips.

Nutrition

Like many other species of wild-caught white fish, this species is a lean, low-calorie source of protein. It's an overall good choice for a healthy diet.

Nutrition per 6-ounce serving:

  • Calories: 100 calories

  • Protein: 23 grams

  • Fat: 1 gram

  • Vitamin D: 2 micrograms, or 8% RDI

Is cod high in mercury?

Pacific cod is one of the larger species of fish in the marine food chain in Alaska, growing to several feet in length. Because of its size, it’s positioned higher up in the food chain — so, unlike wild Alaska pollock or wild salmon, its mercury levels are worth keeping in check. So with this in mind, is cod healthy to eat every day?

The answer is that it depends on your health needs, based on the conclusions of several health and environmental organizations that have compiled recommendations drawn from EPA data. Young children and people who are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or nursing may need to limit their consumption of Pacific cod.

According to the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), children 5 years old or younger should limit their consumption of this species from the U.S. to four 4-ounce servings or less per month. This is assuming that no other seafood containing a significant amount of mercury is consumed.

For people who are pregnant, planning to be pregnant, or nursing the recommendations are not fully aligned, but the most conservative guidance comes from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), which lists this fish as a species that contains moderate levels of mercury. The NRDC suggests six 4-ounce servings or less per month for this group.

Other organizations, like the EDF or the EPA, consider Pacific cod one of the best choices and offer guidance suggesting it’s safe for this group to consume 12 ounces of this species or more per week. To reiterate, this is assuming that no other seafood containing a significant amount of mercury is consumed.

Read a bit more about mercury contamination in the marine food chain.

Is cod sustainable?

What Is Pacific Cod: A Comprehensive Guide | Wild Alaskan Company (2)When sourced from domestic fisheries, Pacific cod can be a sustainable choice of seafood. Atlantic cod from U.S. fisheries is currently not a sustainable option.

According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, wild-caught Pacific cod from Alaska is considered a “best choice” fish option for consumers. Fisheries in the Pacific Northwest and Canada are good options too, but there are concerns about how fishing methods there are impacting the ecosystem. In contrast, Alaska’s fishing industry is considered the gold standard for sustainability. Sourcing this fish from other countries is generally not recommended, due to fishery management practices.

Domestic Atlantic cod fisheries are currently overfished, but they’re in a rebuilding phase to restore depleted populations.

How to Cook Pacific Cod

What Is Pacific Cod: A Comprehensive Guide | Wild Alaskan Company (3)

  • Bake Pacific cod

  • Pan-fry Pacific cod

  • Broil Pacific cod

Where to Buy Alaskan Cod

Be sure to stock your kitchen with sustainably-caught fish and shellfish by sourcing your seafood online from Wild Alaskan Company. You’ll get high-quality, wild-caught seafood delivered straight to your doorstep. Choose yourfish subscription boxtoday.

What Is Pacific Cod: A Comprehensive Guide | Wild Alaskan Company (2024)

FAQs

What Is Pacific Cod: A Comprehensive Guide | Wild Alaskan Company? ›

Pacific cod is a white fish that can be found off the coast of Alaska. It is a true species of cod, like Atlantic cod. Some people refer to this fish as codfish. Both varieties are distinct species of white fish.

Is wild Alaska cod good for you? ›

Low in calories, Alaska Cod is an excellent source of high-quality protein and essential nutrients. Harvested in the icy, pristine waters of Alaska's Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska, this appealing and versatile seafood with its snow white color and firm texture is the highest quality cod fillet available.

Is Alaskan cod the same as Pacific cod? ›

Alaskan Cod, also called Pacific Cod, is a beautiful white-fleshed fish that is commonly found in the waters of the North Pacific. It offers a mild, versatile flavor as well as a firm, flaky texture. It's famously used for Fish & Chips and is also tasty as a savory bake or roast.

Is Wild Alaskan cod Wild caught? ›

Wild-caught Alaskan Cod is a white fish that provides a mild flavor – perfect for fish and chips! Alaskan Cod offers a light, flaky texture. The average serving size of Alaskan Cod is one 7 oz fillet.

Is wild Alaskan cod high in mercury? ›

In fact, all species of wild salmon, young halibut (like the kind caught by our fishermen), lingcod, Alaska pacific cod, and rockfish are so low in mercury content that there are no dietary restrictions on the amounts one should eat of these species!

Is Pacific cod a healthy fish to eat? ›

Pacific cod stands out as a healthy seafood option. With its lean protein and low-calorie profile, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain a balanced, delicious diet.

Can you eat Pacific cod raw? ›

Both Pacific cod and Alaskan pollock freeze very well, and since both are from far-off waters, it is best to always buy frozen unless you can be assured that the fresh fish has never been frozen before. Please remember—do not eat either fish raw!

Does wild cod have worms? ›

Are worms really common in cod? A.: Yes, parasite worms are, unfortunately, quite common in cod and other types of white fish.

What is the best cod fish to buy? ›

Alaskan Black Cod

Rated 5.00 out of 5. Our Alaskan Black Cod, also known as Sablefish or Butterfish, is considered a delicacy in countries around the world. Also mild in flavor, Alaskan Black Cod's white fatty meat has a velvety texture that boasts a rich buttery flavor.

Which is better Atlantic or Pacific cod? ›

In flavour terms, it's widely agreed that Atlantic cod has a slightly sweet taste, with large flakes that fall apart easily when cooked. Pacific cod has a milder, more savoury flavour profile accompanied by firmer, chunkier flakes. Preference is very much down to consumers' personal tastes.

Is Pacific cod a bottom feeder? ›

Examples of bottom feeding fish species groups are flatfish (halibut, flounder, plaice, sole), eels, cod, haddock, bass, grouper, carp, bream (snapper) and some species of catfish, sharks.

How deep is the Pacific cod? ›

Pacific cod range from Japan to the Bering Sea and to Santa Monica, California, but are rare south of northern California. They are widely distributed in the cooler regions of the Pacific and adjacent seas. Pacific cod are usually found near the bottom at water depths of 12 to 549 meters (40 to 1,800 feet).

What is the healthiest cod to eat? ›

Other organizations, like the EDF or the EPA, consider Pacific cod one of the best choices and offer guidance suggesting it's safe for this group to consume 12 ounces of this species or more per week.

How often can you eat Alaskan cod? ›

Eating fish like cod at least once a week also reduces the risk and severity of heart disease and stroke. Eating fish like cod on a regular basis can help keep your brain in good condition as you age.

Is Wild Alaskan fish oil better for you? ›

Overall, mercury levels and other toxins in Alaska waters are very low and almost undetectable in salmon oil. The levels of omega-3 fatty acids are significantly higher than farm raised. For these reasons, wild salmon is often preferred over farm-raised.

Is cod healthier than salmon? ›

So, we can conclude that cod may be better for your health than salmon, considering certain factors such as calories and saturated-fat content. However, if you are more focused on increasing folate and good fats, then perhaps salmon is a better choice. It depends on your health condition and priorities.

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