What Is Salt cod (bacalhau) and How Can I Use It?
If salt cod (bacalhau) has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 18 recipes to try it in.
What is salt cod (bacalhau)?
Salted cod is cod fish that has been preserved in salt. Salt cod, (bacalhau in Portuguese) needs to be soaked in water for at least 24 hours to re-hydrate and reduce the amount of salt.
Where found
Salt cod (bacalhau) is usually found in the fish section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.
| In Chinese: | 鳕鱼 | |
| British (UK) term: | ||
| en français: | la morue salée | |
| en español: | bacalao |
Recipes using salt cod (bacalhau)
There are 18 recipes that contain this ingredient.
Bacalao
Definitely felt skeptical before making this dish, not quite sure about both the flavor and the texture. But the result was actually quite outstanding, not fishy at all, very tasty and the texture was pretty good too. Served it with a hard boiled egg, olives aside, and wine vinegar, extra-virgin olive oil drizzled on top with some fresh parsley. Great!
Bacalhau 'a Bras
A traditional Portuguese recipe. Salt cod (bacalhau) and potatoes fried to perfection. FANTASTIC!
Fresh & Salt Cod Cakes
Salt cod meets fresh fillets in crispy, golden cakes loaded with herbs, cayenne kick, and Old Bay vibes. Pan-fried to crunchy perfection for seafood lovers craving coastal comfort.
Codfish Omelet
A fluffy salt cod omelet made with mashed potatoes, cream, and beaten egg whites folded in for lift. This traditional bacalhau omelet is Portuguese comfort food at its simplest.
Fava Bean & Salt Cod Salad
Here, fava beans are paired with salt cod in a rich and filling salad. To compliment the rustic flavors of this dish, serve with toasted garlic-rubbed baguette slices and a soft goat cheese.
Fish & Brewis
Traditional Newfoundland fish and brewis with salt cod, hardtack bread, and fried salt pork scrunchions. A three-ingredient Maritime classic soaked overnight.
Cod-Potato Casserole
Salt cod and potato casserole (bacalhau) baked in tomato-parsley broth. A traditional Portuguese-style dish with flaked cod, sliced potatoes, and olive oil.
Fried Salt Cod
Greek-style fried salt cod (bakaliaros) in a light flour batter, served with skordalia. Soaked overnight, boiled, battered, and pan-fried until golden.
Spanish Style Codfish
Salt cod (bacalao) simmered Spanish-style with tomatoes, pimentos, garlic, dry sherry, and sliced olives. A classic dish that starts with an overnight soak and ends with rich flavor.
Portugese Salt Cod
Portuguese salt cod (bacalhau) casserole layered with sliced potatoes and golden onions, topped with breadcrumbs, olives, and hard-boiled eggs. Served with vinegar, olive oil, and pepper.
Casserole of Salt Cod & Potatoes
A traditional Portuguese-style bacalhau casserole layering salt cod, golden potatoes, and caramelized onions with parsley and black olives. Soaked, simmered, and baked to golden comfort.
Potato, Leek & Cod Soup
Creamy potato, leek, and salt cod soup finished with sour cream and fresh dill. A milk-based chowder with rich, briny depth that can be made a day ahead.
Gesmoorde Vis
Gesmoorde vis, the Cape Malay braised salt cod: desalted bacalhau simmered with golden onions, tomato, chili and potatoes. A South African classic, served with rice and a squeeze of lemon.
Bacalao a la Viscaina
A rich and delicious dish made with potatoes, succulent ham, pickled jalapeno peppers and pimento-stuffed green olives.
Arroz De Bacalhau
Traditional Portuguese salt cod and rice simmered with onions, tomatoes, and olive oil. A rustic northern Portugal classic with short-grain rice.
Bacalhau
Bacalhau is a traditional Portuguese salt cod casserole layered with sliced potatoes, golden sautéed onions, and bread crumbs, garnished with olives and hard-cooked eggs. Serve with vinegar, olive oil, and pepper.
Bacalao Espanol (Spanish Cod)
Inherited from Spain, this codfish dish is a favorite of the Mexicans.
