Bacalao Guisado (Puerto Rican Salt Cod Stew)
Flaked salt cod stewed with potatoes, sofrito, tomato sauce, peppers and olives until thick and savoury. Served with white rice, boiled viandas or fried plantains.
Servings
Ingredients
Nutrition
Per serving
Steps
Prepare the salt cod
Drain the soaked salt cod, cover with about 1 litre of fresh water in a pot, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Drain, let cool, then flake the fish, removing any skin and bones.
- 400 g salt cod
- 1 litre water
✅ Done when: fish flakes easily and no skin or bones remain
Make the sofrito base
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a 4-litre (or similar pot) and cook the onion and for about 5 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir in the and cook for 2 minutes.
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1
- 3 tbsp
✅ Done when: onion and pepper are soft and translucent
Add the sauce and potatoes
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Add the cod
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Serve
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Prepare the salt cod
Drain the soaked salt cod, cover with about 1 litre of fresh water in a pot, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Drain, let cool, then flake the fish, removing any skin and bones.
- 400 g salt cod
- 1 litre water
✅ Done when: fish flakes easily and no skin or bones remain
Make the sofrito base
Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a 4-litre (or similar pot) and cook the onion and for about 5 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir in the and cook for 2 minutes.
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1
- 3 tbsp
✅ Done when: onion and pepper are soft and translucent
Add the sauce and potatoes
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Add the cod
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Serve
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The Story Behind the Dish
Salt cod has been a staple in Puerto Rico for centuries, brought by Atlantic trade from Spain and North America. Stewing it with sofrito and potatoes is one of the most common ways to cook it at home.
It's a classic during Lent and Holy Week, when many families avoid meat.
⭐ Why It's Famous
Savoury, salty and saucy, it's humble ingredients turned into a deeply comforting meal.
💡 Fun Fact
Bacalao guisado leftovers are often used to fill empanadillas and alcapurrias the next day.
All over Puerto Rico
18.47°N, -66.11°W
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