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Salt cod — also called bacalao (Spanish), baccalà (Italy) and bacalhao (Portuguese) — is beloved all over the world. You will discover it in lots of conventional dishes from the Caribbean to Portugal, the place it’s stated there’s a salt cod recipe for on daily basis of the 12 months.
Though salt cod (salted cod) is well-liked in recipes for Lent and Easter, you possibly can get pleasure from it year-round.
Its recognition dates again to the sixteenth century when contemporary cod was preserved in salt for lengthy ocean voyages. In trendy occasions, the method of drying and salting cod not solely preserves the fish, it intensifies its flavour.
So, for those who’ve seen a slab of dried fish in your grocery store and questioned what you possibly can make with it, you’ll discover plenty of inspiration on this assortment of salt cod recipes from all over the world.
🌟 Professional Tip: As a result of dried salt cod must be rehydrated, it does take some pre-planning. In the event you’ve by no means cooked with salt cod, scroll right down to the tip of the recipes for directions on learn how to put together it for cooking.
This assortment was initially printed in 2019 however was expanded with new salt cod recipes and directions in 2025!
1. Basque Bacalao a la Vizcaína by A Style for Journey
Bacalao a la Vizcaina is a scrumptious Spanish salt cod stew that hails from the Basque area of Spain. It’s additionally well-liked in conventional Guatemalan delicacies and in lots of components of Mexico.
Though it’s most frequently ready for Lent and on Christmas Eve, you possibly can get pleasure from its scrumptious mixture of savoury spices, tomatoes, olives and potatoes any time of 12 months.
2. Brazilian Baked Cod in Cheese Sauce (Bacalhau Quatro Queijos) by Straightforward and Delish
This quick and simple Baked Cod in Cheese Sauce or bacalhau quatro queijos is a 30-minute dish constructed from cod fish fillets smothered in a creamy cheese sauce. It’s topped with a shiny vegetable salsa for a splash of color!
3. Caribbean Saltfish Fried Rice by That Woman Cooks Wholesome
Kiss goodbye to boring fried rice and say whats up to this Caribbean Saltfish Fried Rice. It options salted cod items seasoned and cooked in a medley of brown rice and greens.
4. Italian Salt Cod (Baccalà) and Porcini Tagliatelle by the Pasta Challenge
This traditional tagliatelle with baccalà and porcini recipe hails from Abruzzo, Central Italy, bringing collectively the fragile salt cod and earthy porcini mushrooms in a dish that’s each comforting and refined.
Infused with fragrant cloves, zesty lemon, heat nutmeg, and a splash of white wine, each chunk is layered with depth and richness. ✨
5. Fanesca – Ecuadorian Soup
For a satisfying meal that includes salt cod do that recipe for fanesca soup from Ecuador. It’s historically made throughout Lent to capitalize on an abundance of spring greens and salt cod.
With rice, beans and greens, this Ecuadorian soup is a hearty filling soup that may function a meal by itself!
6. Greek Bakaliaros (Beer Battered Cod) by Kopiaste
Scrumptious bakaliaros – cod in batter – “μπακαλιάρος” in Greek is a conventional meals loved on March twenty fifth throughout Lent.
It’s made with salted cod, fried in a beer batter, and infrequently served with a skordalia dip. You gained’t have the option to withstand consuming a couple of of those tasty bites!
7. Esqueixada de Bacalao (Catalan Salt Cod Salad)
This refreshing appetizer salad Esqueixada de Bacalao is likely one of the most well-liked tapas dishes in Barcelona and all through the Catalonia area of Spain.
Only one chunk of this salad made with delicate salted cod, contemporary tomato, onion, peppers, Spanish olive oil and black olives, and also you’ll be transported to sunny Barcelona.
Excessive in protein and low in saturated fat, it’s the proper instance of what to eat on the Mediterranean Food regimen.
8. Italian Baccalà (Battered Salt Cod) by Christina’s Cucina
Like fish and chips?
Then you definately’ll love baccalà, an Italian-style battered salt cod recipe. It incorporates a very mild batter which makes it very interesting to youngsters and adults alike!
9. Jamaican Saltfish Fritters by That Woman Cooks Wholesome
This Jamaican saltfish fritters recipe will immediately transport you to the Caribbean. So flavoursome, crispy and more-ish.
These tasty bites make the proper snack or appetizer for serving a crowd!
10. Jamaican Cabbage and Saltfish by That Woman Cooks Wholesome
Cabbage and Saltfish is a Caribbean staple that’s tasty but really easy to drag collectively and whip up inside half-hour.
This versatile Jamaican dish options flaked cod fish steamed with onion, garlic, tomatoes and steamed cabbage
11. Norwegian Salt Cod Stew – Bacalao by The Forked Spoon
For a scrumptious northern recipe, this Norwegian Salt Cod Stew, or Bacalao from the Spanish phrase for cod, is made with salt cod, olive oil, stewed tomatoes, garlic, shallots, and potatoes.
It’s a hearty dish good for warming up on a cold night time or as a weekend dinner with family and friends.
12. Nova Scotia Fish Desserts by Bacon is Magic
This conventional Nova Scotia recipe for salt cod desserts from Canada is sort of easy, simple to make and simple on the finances. It’s additionally very versatile.
Though it historically options salt cod with mashed potatoes, egg, onion and celery (elective), it can be made with leftover salmon, cod or tilapia.
13. Saltfish Souse from Grenada
A preferred strategy to put together saltfish in Trinidad and Grenada is in saltfish souse, a flavourful mixture of salt cod, shredded greens akin to carrot, peppers, onions and scallions, typically loved for breakfast.
Saltfish souse is the proper complement to conventional Grenadian meals akin to bakes and provisions.
Get a recipe for saltfish souse from Saveur.
14. Spanish Salt Cod Stuffed Piquillo Peppers by Caroline’s Cooking
These salt cod stuffed piquillo peppers are Spanish consolation meals in tapas kind – the potato and salt cod filling is clean and full of flavour.
They make an ideal appetizer or function a part of a tapas meal.
15. Baccala Mantecato (Italian Whipped Salt Cod Unfold) by Mangia with Michele
Baccalà Mantecato is a creamy, whipped salt cod unfold from Venice, made by emulsifying poached cod with olive oil till irresistibly clean.
Historically served on crispy polenta or crostini, this elegant dish is ideal for gatherings and vacation feasts.
Bonus Recipe: Mexican Veracruz-Model Cod (Bacalao a la Veracruzana) by Muy Bueno
Bacalao a la Veracruzana is a Mexican dish that includes salted cod simmered in tomato sauce with inexperienced olives, capers, garlic, potatoes, bell peppers and pickled banana peppers.
This traditional Veracruz-style recipe blends Spanish and Gulf of Mexico flavours, making a savoury, tangy, and barely spicy dish good for particular events akin to Lent. But it surely’s simple sufficient to make for Fish Fridays.
The way to Use Salt Cod – Buying, Step by Step Preparation and Ideas
There are a number of keys to success when making salted cod recipes. I’ve made some errors alongside the best way that I’m sharing with you so that you get it proper the primary time.
For some recipes it’s potential to make use of salt cod that’s been conveniently pre-soaked and able to use. This salted cod (bacalao) comes fastidiously desalted and vacuum-sealed to protect its delicate texture and gentle flavour. It saves hours of soaking and rinsing—simply open the bag and use it within the recipe.
Nevertheless, in case your recipe requires items of salted cod, or you possibly can’t discover pre-soaked salt cod, comply with these step-by-step directions to preapre it from dried:
Shopping for Salted Cod
- Soak the salt cod upfront. It’s greatest to start the method 4 days upfront.
- Begin your salt cod buying early. The bottom line is selecting salt cod is to buy a bit of fish that isn’t too skinny. You don’t wish to purchase solely the tail. As an alternative, search for a center piece of the filet. Store early as the best sizes disappear rapidly and you could be left with filets of salt cod as massive as yoga mats.
- Storage. Dried salted cod might be saved for as much as 2 months.
Soaking Salted Cod
In an effort to put together salt cod for cooking in a recipe, it must be rehydrated and nearly all of the salt eliminated.. Whenever you’re able to get began with the method of soaking:
- Place the salt cod in an oblong glass Pyrex dish and canopy it with cool water. Use one gallon of water for two kilos (900 grams) of fish.
- Place salted cod within the fridge and permit it to soak within the water for twenty-four hours.
- Drain off the salty water, add extra contemporary cool water and return to the fridge.
- Repeat this course of on daily basis for two to 4 days however not longer. You shouldn’t plan to take away all of the salt, some salt ought to stay in an effort to protect the scrumptious distinctive bacalao flavour. Style the cod at Day 3 for saltiness. Change the water 4 occasions in the course of the soaking interval.
Making ready for Cooking
- Most salt cod has been deboned and had the pores and skin eliminated.
- Nevertheless, even with salt cod that’s been deboned, it is advisable to test it fastidiously earlier than getting ready as some bones could stay. The bones are simple to take away as soon as the salt cod has softened in water.
- When you’ve completed soaking the salt cod, drain it and dry it throughly.
- Use entire or shred it into smaller items in accordance with the recipe.
Storage
- With regards to storage, soaked bacalao salt fish is like contemporary fish. It may be refrigerated for as much as two days.
Extra Worldwide Fish and Seafood Recipes to Strive
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