Do you love cod recipes? Then, you are in the right place.
Spain has a wide variety of dishes whose main ingredient is cod, from comforting stews and soups to croquettes.
We have compiled 20 bacalao recipes that will surprise your palate.
Bacalao Recipes
1. Bacalao a la Vizcaína – Vizcaina-Style Cod (Basque Country)
Bacalao a la Vizcaina is one of the most popular dishes in the Basque Country. Although it is mainly enjoyed during Easter, there is no reason not to prepare it any other time you fancy a cod recipe.
This delicious fish dish is full of flavors and simple to make. You will need cod loin steaks, choricero peppers, white and red onion, fish broth, garlic, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper.
Accompany this Vizcaina-style cod with basmati rice or a portion of homemade chips.
2. Bacalao con tomate – Cod and Tomato
The combination of cod and tomato is incredibly delicious, which is what this traditional Spanish dish is all about. This tasty recipe will become a new addition to your weekly meal plan!
It is simply made with cod fillets, flour, tomatoes, flour, parsley, garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
You can enjoy this Cod and Tomato recipe with rice, vegetables such as green beans, or a rustic baguette to dip in the creamy tomato sauce.
3. Bacalao al Pil Pil – Cod Pil Pil Recipe (Basque Country)
Another typical recipe of the Basque Country is Bacalao al Pil Pil. The unique garlic and olive oil flavors of this recipe make it irresistible.
To make this recipe, you will need only a few ingredients: cod loin, fish broth, cayenne pepper, garlic, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Once it is cooked, it is garnished with fresh parsley.
Enjoy Cod Pil Pil with roasted vegetables or a slice of crusty bread to dip in the flavourful sauce.
4. Bacalao con espinacas – Cod and Spinach
If you are looking for a healthy and nutritious meal, don’t look any further, Bacalao con espinacas is your recipe.
Not only is this a recipe that will take you no time, but you will enjoy its garlic and nutty flavors.
This cod dish has cod fillets, spinach, pine nuts, raisins, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
It is a fantastic meal that you can have at lunch or dinner.
5. Bacalao con patatas – Spanish Cod and Potatoes
Fish and potatoes are two ingredients that complement each other, and this Spanish Cod and Potatoes recipe is proof of it. This simple but delicious recipe will impress your guests.
The main ingredients you need are cod fillets, potatoes, peppers, onions, fish stock, garlic, sweet paprika, and olive oil.
This dish doesn’t need any sides, but you can pair it with a refreshing salad.
6. Bacalao a la gallega – Galician-Style Cod (Galicia)
Bacalao a la gallega is a traditional recipe of northern Spain, specifically Galicia.
It’s a classic dish that is easy to make, but you will need high-quality ingredients to make the best Galician-style Cod.
This dish only contains cod loins, potatoes, sweet paprika, garlic, olive oil, and salt, but it is full of flavors.
7. Esqueixada de bacalao – Cod Salad (Catalonia)
If you are looking for a refreshing recipe containing cod, Esqueixada de bacalao is the answer. This delicious cod salad is a classic dish in Catalonia, perfect for those hot summer days.
It is made with salted cod, tomatoes, spring onions, peppers, black olives, white wine vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Once you have prepared this salad, put it in the fridge for a few hours before eating it.
8. Buñuelos de bacalao – Spanish Cod Fritters
Crispy and flavourful are the two main words that describe this Spanish recipe. Buñuelos de bacalao is an Easter recipe, but many people cook them all year round because they are so delicious.
These Spanish Cod Fritters are made with desalted cod, eggs, flour, spring onions, parsley, garlic, olive oil, and salt.
They are a very popular tapa in the south of Spain and are often served with homemade aioli.
9. Bacalao ajoarriero – Cod with Vegetables (Navarra)
Bacalao ajoarriero is a recipe associated with the region of Navarra, although it is also popular in the Basque Country. It is a simple cod stew with vegetables that offers a variety of flavors and textures.
Cod loins, peppers, choricero pepper, potatoes, chopped tomatoes, and olive oil are the main ingredients to prepare this delicious dish.
Enjoy with a few slices of crusty bread and a glass of red wine.
10. Albóndigas de bacalao – Cod meatballs
Who doesn’t love meatballs? They are loved by adults and children. However, this recipe includes cod instead of your regular beef meatballs.
Albóndigas de bacalao is easy to make and very nutritious. Desalted cod, flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, fresh parsley, garlic, and olive oil are the key ingredients for this dish.
You can serve them with basmati rice or a portion of homemade chips.
11. Bacalao con sanfaina – Easter Cod Recipe
Bacalao con sanfaina is another Spanish Easter recipe in which the key ingredients are cod and vegetables. It is an easy, budget-friendly, and delicious dish to make for your loved ones.
This Easter Cod Recipe contains desalted cod, a wide range of vegetables (peppers, aubergines, tomatoes, courgettes, etc.), white wine, salt, and pepper.
Although this dish doesn’t need any sides, it can be served with boiled potatoes and bread to soak up the flavourful sauce.
12. Croquetas de bacalao – Cod Croquettes
When it comes to croquettes, you have probably heard of ham croquettes but might not have heard of cod croquettes. If you are a fan of croquettes, you need to try them. They melt in your mouth!
These Cod Croquettes are made with cod loin, milk, flour, breadcrumbs, eggs, onions, butter, a pinch of nutmeg, salt, and pepper.
They are perfect as a sharing starter.
13. Verdinas con bacalao – Bean and Cod Stew (Asturias)
Beans and cod? Yes, that is what verdinas con balacao is about. This traditional recipe from Asturias is a classic that is worth trying.
It contains butter beans, desalted cod, carrots, leeks, onions, and olive oil.
This hearty cod stew is perfect for those cold winter days. Enjoy with a few slices of bread.
14. Potaje de vigilia – Cod, Chickpea, and Spinach Stew
Potaje de vigilia is another classic Easter recipe in Spain, but it is also very popular during carnival.
This stew is made with desalted cod, chickpeas, spinach, eggs, bread, and sweet paprika. It will definitely surprise you with its delicious flavors.
It is a fantastic stew to make when you want to spice things up!
15. Zurrukutuna – Bread Soup with Desalted Cod (Basque Country)
If you love soups, you need to try Zurrukutuna, a unique soup that originated in the Basque Country. It consists of a soup whose main ingredients are cod and garlic.
The desalted cod alongside the garlic and other ingredients such as bread, dried chili pepper, choricero pepper, and eggs make it so delicious.
Serve this desalted cod soup with a glass of red wine.
16. Salmorejo de Iznájar – Cod and Orange Salad (Cordoba)
Salmorejo de Iznajar is a traditional cod recipe from Iznajar, a town in the province of Cordoba. It is a simple but great dish to enjoy during the summer.
This 4-ingredient salad includes oranges, hard-boiled eggs, desalted cod, and extra virgin olive oil.
Refreshing and citric, this salad won’t disappoint you.
17. Atascaburras – Cod, Egg and Garlic Mash (Castile La Mancha)
Atascaburras, also known as ajo mortero, is one of the most authentic dishes in Castile La Mancha.
It is made with potatoes, desalted cod, eggs, nuts, garlic, olive oil, and salt. The flavors coming through this mash are delightful.
18. Remojón granadino – Granada-style Cod Salad (Granada)
If you visit Granada, you must add Remojón granadino to your list. This refreshing Granada-style Cod Salad is a classic in the region.
Desalted cod, oranges, eggs, onions, black olives, olive oil, salt, and pepper are the only ingredients needed to make this unique salad.
19. Tortilla de bacalao – Cod omelette
Tortilla de balacao is a twist on the traditional Spanish potato omelet. It is a simple but delicious dish to be enjoyed as a light lunch or dinner.
This cod omelet is made with desalted cod, eggs, green peppers, onions, olive oil, and a pinch of salt.
You can accompany this omelet with a refreshing mixed salad or tomato salad.
20. Borreta alcoyana – Cod, Potato and Spinach Stew (Alicante)
Lesser-known but incredibly delicious, borreta alcoyana is a typical dish that originated in Alicante. It is popular in Alicante during Easter, but you can prepare it anytime you want a nutritious and winter-comforting dish.
The top ingredients to make this stew are cod, spinach, potatoes, eggs, onions, ñora peppers, tomato paste, and sweet paprika.
This recipe doesn’t need any accompaniments but pairs perfectly with a glass of red wine.
