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Salt cod — also called bacalao (Spanish), baccalà (Italy) and bacalhao (Portuguese) — is beloved all over the world. You could find it in lots of conventional dishes from the Caribbean to Portugal, the place it’s stated there’s a salt cod recipe for daily of the 12 months.
Though salt cod (salted cod) is well-liked in recipes for Lent and Easter, you possibly can take pleasure in it year-round.
Its recognition dates again to the sixteenth century when recent cod was preserved in salt for lengthy ocean voyages. In fashionable instances, the method of drying and salting cod not solely preserves the fish, it intensifies its flavour.
So, when you’ve seen a slab of dried fish in your grocery store and puzzled what you could possibly make with it, you’ll discover a number 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. For those who’ve by no means cooked with salt cod, scroll right down to the top of the recipes for directions on how one can 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 take pleasure in 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 straightforward Baked Cod in Cheese Sauce or bacalhau quatro queijos is a 30-minute dish made out of cod fish fillets smothered in a creamy cheese sauce. It’s topped with a vivid 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 good day 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 Undertaking
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 chew 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 standard meals loved on March twenty fifth throughout Lent.
It’s made with salted cod, fried in a beer batter, and sometimes served with a skordalia dip. You gained’t give you the chance 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 chew of this salad made with delicate salted cod, recent 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 Eating regimen.
8. Italian Baccalà (Battered Salt Cod) by Christina’s Cucina
Like fish and chips?
Then you definitely’ll love baccalà, an Italian-style battered salt cod recipe. It incorporates a very gentle 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 excellent for warming up on a cold evening or as a weekend dinner with family and friends.
12. Nova Scotia Fish Muffins by Bacon is Magic
This conventional Nova Scotia recipe for salt cod truffles from Canada is sort of easy, straightforward to make and straightforward 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 well-liked solution to put together saltfish in Trinidad and Grenada is in saltfish souse, a flavourful mixture of salt cod, shredded greens corresponding to carrot, peppers, onions and scallions, typically loved for breakfast.
Saltfish souse is the proper complement to conventional Grenadian meals corresponding 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 filled with flavour.
They make a fantastic 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 excellent for particular events corresponding to Lent. However it’s straightforward sufficient to make for Fish Fridays.
The best 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 rigorously 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.
Nonetheless, 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 prematurely. It’s finest to start the method 4 days prematurely.
- Begin your salt cod purchasing early. The hot button is selecting salt cod is to buy a chunk 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 giant as yoga mats.
- Storage. Dried salted cod will be saved for as much as 2 months.
Soaking Salted Cod
As a way to put together salt cod for cooking in a recipe, it must be rehydrated and the vast majority of the salt eliminated.. While 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 recent cool water and return to the fridge.
- Repeat this course of daily for two to 4 days however not longer. You shouldn’t plan to take away all of the salt, some salt ought to stay with a purpose to protect the scrumptious distinctive bacalao flavour. Style the cod at Day 3 for saltiness. Change the water 4 instances in the course of the soaking interval.
Getting ready for Cooking
- Most salt cod has been deboned and had the pores and skin eliminated.
- Nonetheless, even with salt cod that’s been deboned, it’s worthwhile to verify it rigorously earlier than making ready as some bones might stay. The bones are straightforward 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 complete or shred it into smaller items in response to the recipe.
Storage
- In terms of storage, soaked bacalao salt fish is like recent fish. It may be refrigerated for as much as two days.
Extra Worldwide Fish and Seafood Recipes to Strive
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