Can you eat raw cod?

Sushi aficionados will know that this popular meal incorporates many different types of raw fish. If you are used to eating your fish cooked, this may sound like a strange concept!

But, can you eat raw cod?

If you are wondering if you can eat raw cod, the answer is no. This is because cod may contain a parasite that is killed during the cooking process, making it safe to eat. Raw cod has a thick, watery texture that many people don’t find appetizing, and this fish is greatly improved by cooking.

Let’s find out everything you need to know about cod and how to make it safe to eat.

What is cod?

Cod is a large type of fish that lives in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is a popular fish in culinary terms, as it has firm, white meat that holds up well when cooked.

Its large size means it produces substantial-sized fillets that are easy to cook, ideal for those who hate finding bones in their fish.

Taste-wise, cod is on the milder end of the fish spectrum and has a subtle flavor with milky undertones. Cod is quite lean and not oily at all, making it a healthy option.

Can you eat raw cod?

Although we are all used to eating cooked fish, some types of fish can be eaten raw!

It is a totally different sensation in terms of flavor and texture, and is the basis of popular cuisines such as sashimi and sushi. But can cod be eaten raw?

In theory, cod can be eaten raw, but it is very dangerous for humans to eat cod that has not been cooked. Unless it has been prepared for you by a trusted chef or supplier, it is not advisable to eat raw cod.

And no, this does not mean that you can eat the cod from your fishmonger without cooking it. Certain precautions must be taken before eating raw cod.

So, in general, stay away from raw cod, unless it was prepared in a restaurant for you!

Why is it unsafe to eat raw cod?

The reason why it is not safe to eat raw cod is that it may contain a parasite that is harmful to human health.

Not all cod carry this parasite, a type of roundworm, but it is enough of a risk for food safety authorities to advise that cod be cooked before consumption.

If consumed, these parasites cause digestive problems, such as nausea and stomach pain. The symptoms are very similar to those of food poisoning, and just as unpleasant!

Okay, you’re probably feeling a little dizzy right now. Worms in the fish? Gross!

It is important to remember that cod suppliers do everything possible to ensure that our cod is worm free.

This includes fishing in areas where cod are less likely to have worms and using processes to ensure cod with a high worm load does not enter the food chain.

However, despite their efforts, it is virtually impossible to guarantee that all cod sold for human consumption is free of worms. So if we want to eat cod, we have to keep cooking it!

What does raw cod taste like?

The other reason why raw cod is not usually included in sushi dishes is that it is not particularly tasty. The meat of raw cod is dense and watery, with a mild fishy flavor.

Cod, along with other types of fish such as haddock and haddock, develop a much more appealing flavor and texture when cooked.

So not only is raw cod likely to give you a nasty stomach upset, it also doesn’t taste particularly nice.

When it comes to cod, unless it’s being prepared for you by an expert chef, play it safe and make sure it’s well-cooked.

How to make raw cod safe to eat

You may come across raw cod in specialty restaurants, but how do you make sure it’s safe to eat?

Sushi chefs undergo many years of training to learn the techniques of preparing raw fish. They will know how to store and handle fish correctly to avoid bacterial contamination.

They will also know how to identify parasite contamination in a fish, which will help them to almost completely eliminate the risks of eating raw fish.

If you prepare cod at home, it’s unlikely that you have the level of experience necessary to make it safe to eat without cooking.

It is a skill that requires time and patience to learn, under the tutelage of an expert. So how can we make raw cod safe to eat?

cooking raw cod

The most obvious way to ensure raw cod is safe to eat is to cook it. This ensures that the parasites lurking inside are killed before the fish is consumed.

Many different methods can be used to cook cod fillets, including shallow frying, pan-frying, baking, and grilling.

Cod’s firm texture makes it ideal for inclusion in casseroles and casseroles, and it also holds up well in batter and breading when fried.

Freeze raw cod

Remember those horrible parasites we used to worry about? Well, freezing cod will kill the parasites lurking inside, making it safe to eat.

However, this does not mean that you can put it in the freezer at home for a few hours. Home freezers do not reach temperatures low enough to be sure that the parasites have been killed.

To be on the safe side, buy commercially frozen fish that has been frozen for at least 7 days.

However, when thawed, the meat of raw cod is even more watery and unpalatable, so it’s unlikely you’ll find this form of cod on the menu at your local sushi bar anytime soon.

smoked cod

For smoked fish aficionados, smoked mackerel and haddock are probably more familiar than smoked cod. But can cod be smoked and is it safe to eat?

It all depends on the type of smoking process that is used, since the temperature must be hot enough to kill the parasites that lurk in the fish. Two types of smoking can be used: hot smoking and cold smoking.

When foods are cold smoked, the temperatures reached are typically around 80°F . This is not enough to kill the parasites present in the cod, and cold-smoking fish is not a suitable way to prepare raw cod.

However, if the raw cod is hot smoked, it will reach temperatures of about 185 degrees Fahrenheit. This will ensure that it is safe to eat, as well as give the fish a delicate smoky flavor.

Related questions

Now that we have talked about the dangers of eating raw cod, let’s look at some questions related to the subject!

What fish can be eaten raw?

If you want to try eating raw fish, the best place to start is with salmon and tuna. They are the two safest types of fish to eat raw, with little to no risk of parasite infestation.

However, there are other precautions you should take when eating raw fish. Bacterial contamination is a major risk in raw fish, and steps must be taken to keep bacterial contamination to a minimum.

Make sure the fish is as fresh as possible, ideally within 1-2 days of catching it. It should be kept refrigerated at all times until you are ready to eat it.

Can frozen cod be cooked?

One of the nice things about cod is that it can be cooked from frozen, and in fact, it is often considered the best way to cook cod! It’s easy for cod to overcook, and cooking it from frozen makes it less likely to happen.

Cod can be cooked in the oven from freezing, alone or with a marinade or sauce. It can also be cooked from frozen in the air fryer, deep fryer, or even on the grill.

For best results, only cook frozen cod if it is cut into thin, even fillets. Jerky or thicker fillets will not cook at the same rate, and the thinner sections may be overdone or the thicker section still undercooked.

How do I know if my cod is cooked?

The best way to tell if the cod is cooked is a quick visual inspection.

Press the meat of the cod fillet with a fork; if the cod is cooked, the firm flakes of the meat should peel off easily. It should also have changed color, from translucent to a milky white shade.

If you have a kitchen thermometer, check the internal temperature of the fish. A temperature of 145°F or higher means the cod is fully cooked.