Bacalhau

Name: Bacalhau
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Portugal
Ingredients: 400 g of desalted salt cod; 500 g of potatoes; 2 onions; 2 garlic cloves; 2 tomatoes; 1 red bell peppers; 100 ml of olive oil; 100 ml of white wine; 1 bunch of parsley (fresh); black pepper; black olives

4,01 review

This dish uses salt cod, which needs 24 hours of soaking to remove the salt. 🇵🇹 There are several Portuguese variations. The flesh is firm and salty.

Total time: 1 h 10
Prep: 30 min
Cook: 40 min
Difficulty: Easy
Per person: €1.50

By the CookinBreak team

Goes well with

🎅 Christmas: all recipes

As a starter

5.0

Baked Pear with Gorgonzola and Walnuts

30 minEasy

For dessert

Traditional Portuguese Bolo Rainha

1 h 10Medium

To drink

Christmas Cranberry & Spice Punch

25 minEasy

Nutrition facts

per serving · estimate

450kcal

Protein35 g32%
Carbs30 g27%
Fat20 g41%
Fiber5 g

Share of each nutrient in the calories of one serving.

Good to know

Chef's tip

🐟 For perfectly tender cod, be sure to desalt the fish before cooking by soaking it in cold water for at least 24 hours, changing the water several times. ✨

Freezing : Can you freeze this recipe?

Yes

Very well when cooked, up to 2-3 months in individual portions sealed in vacuum bags or suitable freezer bags.

Storage : How long does it keep?

Keeps 3 to 4 days max in an airtight container in the fridge. Separate the cod from the vegetables for better storage.

Making ahead : Can you make it the day before?

Yes

Desalt the cod the day before. Prepare/cut the vegetables (potatoes, onions, garlic, tomatoes, bell peppers) and store them separately in the fridge.

Reheating : How do you reheat it?

Oven: 15-20 minutes at 160-180°C covered, then uncovered. Microwave: by portions, medium power, check the internal temperature. Saucepan: reheat gently over low heat, stirring.

Variations

Add black olives at the end of cooking for more flavor.
Replace the red bell pepper with a yellow one.
Serve straight from the skillet at the table.

Mistakes to avoid

Forgetting to desalt the cod: it must be desalted before cooking, about 24 hours for salt cod.
Overcooking the potatoes at the start: they should stay tender without falling apart, since they cook another 5 minutes with the cod.
Stirring roughly: mix gently to keep the pieces of cod whole.

Frequently asked questions

How do you prepare bacalhau?

Cook the potatoes in thick slices, then sauté the onions and garlic, and add the bell pepper and tomatoes. Add the desalted cod and the white wine, simmer for 10 minutes, then add the potatoes for 5 minutes.

Do you need to desalt the cod?

Yes, salt cod needs to be desalted for about 24 hours before cooking. This recipe uses 400 g of cod that has already been desalted, cut into pieces before being simmered with the vegetables.

Which white wine for bacalhau?

Pour 100 ml of white wine over the cod and vegetables, then let it simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. It flavors the dish and moistens the cooking, along with the olive oil and tomatoes.

How do you serve bacalhau?

Remove from the heat, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and add black olives if you like. Serve hot, straight from the skillet to the table.