October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsPC HealthRecommendedCrashes, freezes, slowdowns? Check your PC nowSpot repairable issues before they interrupt work.Check PCOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
Breeding

Is Hake Similar to Cod? Flavor, Texture, Substitution, and Nutrition

Hake can replace cod in many dishes, but its flesh is usually softer and more delicate. Here is how flavor, texture, species, substitution, and nutrition compare.

By Animalso Team 4 min read
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Yes—hake is broadly similar to cod in flavor and everyday use. Both are mild white fish, and hake can replace cod in many recipes. The important difference is texture: hake is usually softer and more delicate, while Pacific cod cooks into a leaner, flakier piece that holds together better. Because “hake” covers several species, the exact fish you buy matters.

How hake and cod compare

Hake and cod are both mild-tasting white fish rather than strongly flavored, oily species. NOAA describes white hake as mild and almost sweet, while red hake and silver hake are mild and slightly sweet. Pacific cod is described as mild-tasting. You can therefore expect similar flavor profiles, but not identical taste in every species or fillet.

Characteristic Hake Cod What it means in practice
Flavor Mild; white hake is described as almost sweet, while red and silver hake are slightly sweet. Pacific cod is mild-tasting. Either works when you want a neutral fish flavor, but species and freshness can change the result.
Texture Soft and delicate; generally less flaky than cod. Pacific cod is lean and flaky when cooked, although less firm than Atlantic cod. Cod usually gives a more intact flake. Hake can separate or break more easily.
Recipe substitution Can replace cod in many dishes. Often the reference fish in substitution comparisons. Use hake with gentler handling and expect a softer bite.
Price and availability Vary by species and market. Vary by species and market. There is no general price winner; compare current local listings.

Flavor: mild, with possible sweetness

For a dish built around herbs, spices, sauces, or breading, hake and cod are usually interchangeable from a flavor standpoint. NOAA’s descriptions place both fish in the mild category, with a slight sweetness noted for several hake species. That does not mean every hake fillet will taste the same: species, handling, storage, and freshness all affect the finished flavor.

Texture: the difference you are most likely to notice

Hake is typically softer and more delicate than cod. Its flesh may break apart when moved roughly or turned repeatedly. Pacific cod is lean and flaky after cooking, giving you a more defined piece, though it is less firm than Atlantic cod. If your recipe depends on a fillet remaining intact—for example, when plating a whole portion—cod is generally the safer expectation.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Minerva - Gourmet Canned Hake Fillet in brine - 4.23oz / 120gr (Pack of 5 cans)
  • Minerva, a brand from: Fábrica de Conservas A Poveira S.A. - Portugal, since 1938
  • Gourmet Canned Hake Fillet in brine
  • 4.23oz / 120gr (Pack of 5 cans)
  • Produced in Portugal
  • Dolphin Safe certification - World Association for Sustainability Standards (ISEAL) / Marine Steward Council - ISSF International Seafood Sustainability Foundation - Kosher Certification - Halal Certification - FDA

Handling hake

  • Support the fillet fully when lifting it.
  • Turn it with a broad spatula rather than grabbing or squeezing it.
  • Avoid unnecessary movement while it cooks.
  • Expect flakes to be softer and less uniform than those from cod.

Can you substitute hake for cod?

Yes. NOAA specifically notes that hake can substitute in many dishes calling for cod. Make the swap when the recipe benefits from a mild white fish and a softer texture will not be a problem. Keep the following expectations in mind:

  • The flavor should remain in the same general mild range.
  • The cooked flesh may be less flaky and more fragile.
  • Hake needs gentler handling to avoid breakage.
  • Species names on the package matter; “hake” is not one uniform fish.

If a recipe requires firm chunks that must survive stirring, grilling, or repeated turning, cod may match the intended texture more closely. If the fish will be folded into a sauce, soup, pie, or other preparation where a delicate texture is acceptable, hake is a practical alternative.

Rank #2
OCEANZEN Atlantic Salmon Fillets, Sashimi Grade, 2 × 6 oz, 6 Pack, 4.5 lbs
  • HEARTY FISH FILLETS: Each pack contains 2 x 6 oz pre-cut portions, packaged in skin-tight wrapping to ensure freshness and flavor.
  • FRESH AND HEALTHY: Carefully handled, chilled, and frozen within hours of harvest to ensure the maximum preservation of flavor, texture, color, and nutritional content. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and packed with protein, OCEANZEN Salmon provides the greatest nutritional benefits to help you look and feel your best.
  • CAUTION WHEN THAWING SALMON: When your salmon order arrives, make sure to label the package to ensure that the salmon you plan to freeze maintains its best quality. Avoid leaving the fish on the counter: Bringing it from the freezer to room temperature not only alters the texture of the salmon but also promotes bacterial growth on the fish.
  • SUSHI GRADE: All OCEANZEN Salmon is sushi and sashimi-grade fish. OCEANZEN Salmon doesn't include any additives to preserve the original richness and freshness of the salmon. It can be used for sushi or salmon sashimi. This means it's perfect for sushi nights.
  • NEWEST PACKAGING: Compared with other products, our packaging preservation effect is better with a four-layer design. They arrive with the appropriate amount of dry ice or gel packs in our eco-friendly, sustainable cooler. Your products will be riding in high style and arrive in pristine condition. We are sure you will love this product; however, if for any reason you are not fully satisfied, we will refund you or send you a new order, no questions asked.(Melting of ice during shipping is common and won't impact the taste or safety of your product)

Why the species name matters

Hake is a group name covering multiple species and market forms. NOAA’s descriptions of white hake, red hake, and silver hake are similar in broad flavor and texture, but they are not interchangeable scientific descriptions of every hake sold worldwide. White hake is often compared with Atlantic cod and haddock in appearance and taste; red hake guidance specifically addresses substitution for cod. Treat those as species-specific descriptions rather than a guarantee about every package labeled “hake.”

Nutrition: useful figures, but not a universal comparison

NOAA lists the following values for named species. These numbers should not be treated as a controlled, like-for-like hake-versus-cod result because the entries are species-specific and their preparation bases are not identical in the available descriptions.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Fish and source basis Calories per 100 g Protein Total fat
White hake, raw serving (NOAA entry accessed 2026) 90 18.31 g 1.31 g
Pacific cod, NOAA entry per 100 g (preparation state not specified in the available listing) 82 17.9 g 0.63 g

Use the package label or the exact species entry when nutrition precision matters. A different hake species, cod species, serving size, or cooking method can produce different values.

Which should you choose?

Choose hake when:

  • You want a mild white fish with a potentially subtle sweetness.
  • You are comfortable with a softer, more delicate texture.
  • You are adapting a cod recipe where the fillet does not need to remain rigid.
  • Your local market offers a clearly identified, fresh hake species.

Choose cod when:

  • You want a more recognizable cooked flake.
  • The fish must hold together during handling or presentation.
  • You prefer the texture associated with Pacific cod or are comparing with firmer Atlantic cod.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Bottom line

Hake is similar to cod in the way most cooks care about first: both are mild white fish suitable for many of the same recipes. Hake’s softer, more delicate flesh is the main distinction, so handle it gently and expect less structural flaking. Check the species on the label before assuming that every hake—or every cod—will have exactly the same flavor, texture, or nutrition.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More from Field Notes

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?Free driver scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.