Mexican Style Salted Cod

Salted cod with olives and tomato sauce in a platter.

Salted cod is a traditional dish that’s very popular at Christmas time. My family always praises the exquisite combination of flavors. So, make it ahead of time; this dish tastes better the next day.

Course Seafood, Soups

Cuisine Mexican

Keyword Bacalao A La Mexicana, Bacalao Mexicano recipe, mexican style salted cod

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Soaking Time 6

Total Time 1

Servings Servings

Calories 362kcal

Author Mely Martínez

Ingredients

1-½ Lbs Salted Cod
2 Lbs. Plum Tomatoes
¼ cup olive oil
1 large onion thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves minced
⅓ cup raisins
¾ cup pitted olives
2 Tablespoons capers rinsed
1-½ teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1 Lb new potatoes cooked and peeled*
4 Red peppers roasted and cut into strips
1 cup parsley chopped
6 Pickled Guero peppers banana, pepperoncini or jalapeños peppers will work fine**
Salt and pepper to taste

CHECK THE VIDEO RECIPE

Instructions

Soak and Rinse the Salted Cod

Rinse Salted Cod in water at least 3 times until the water comes out clean. After the 3rd rinse, the water is clear, leave the fish to soak in this water for about 6-8 hours. It will be tender after the soaking time.
Rinse and drain the fish again and place them in a large stock pot with clean cold water. Gently simmer over medium-high heat for about 7 minutes until it is tender. Drain fish and set aside, reserving some cooking liquid in case your sauce gets dry and you need more liquid.

Make the tomato sauce

While the fish is cooling, place tomatoes on a hot griddle to roast.
Roasting the tomatoes will take about 10 minutes. If the fish is already cool enough to handle, shred it finely.
Place roasted tomatoes in a blender and process until you have a smooth sauce. Strain using a sieve and set aside.

Make the Mexican Style Bacalao

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until transparent, about 4 minutes, then stir in the garlic and cook for a couple more minutes. Add the roasted tomato puree and cook for about 5-7 minutes.
As soon as the tomato sauce starts simmering, add the shredded Salted Cod. Stir and cook until the tomato sauce starts simmering again, and, one by one, start slowly adding the raisins, olives, and cappers. Allow the sauce to simmer and the flavors to blend. Now, add the potatoes and keep simmering and stirring.
Finally, add the roasted red pepper strips, freshly crumbled Mexican oregano, parsley, and pickled “Guero” peppers. Season with pepper and salt to taste. Remember that the fish was already salted, so be careful not to add salt before tasting the sauce. Keep simmering for about 10-15 more minutes or the tomato sauce has reduced.

Video

Notes

*Living outside Mexico, it is not easy to find the “Guero Peppers”, but you can substitute them with a different pepper. These peppers are not too spicy, and if you use pickled jalapenos, make sure to add them according to your personal taste.

**If you can’t find new potatoes, just cut large potatoes into large cubes. You’ll have to start the day before since the Salted Cod needs to be rinsed and soaked in water for at least 6-8 hours. Some variations to the sauce include adding one or two Ancho peppers. Other variations include chopped almonds.

Nutrition