Description
Bacalhau à Brás is a traditional Portuguese dish made with salted cod (bacalhau), potatoes, onions, and eggs. It’s a hearty, flavorful comfort food that’s simple to prepare, yet packed with rich, savory flavors. Garnished with fresh parsley and black olives, it’s a satisfying dish perfect for family meals and festive occasions.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450g) salted cod (bacalhau), soaked and desalted (about 24 hours of soaking and water changes)
3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks (or use pre-cut frozen fries)
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3–4 cloves garlic, minced
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for frying)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 cup black olives, pitted and sliced (optional, for garnish)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the cod: Soak the salted cod in water for at least 24 hours, changing the water every 6-8 hours. After soaking, drain, remove the skin and bones, and shred the cod into small pieces.
- Fry the potatoes: Heat olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Fry the potatoes until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Sauté the onions and garlic: In the same pan, sauté the onion until golden, about 5-7 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the cod: Add the shredded cod to the pan with onions and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cod is heated through and starts to brown.
- Add the potatoes: Gently fold the fried potatoes into the cod mixture, combining carefully to avoid breaking the potatoes.
- Scramble the eggs: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs with a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour the beaten eggs over the cod and potato mixture, stirring gently for 2-3 minutes, until the eggs are soft and creamy, similar to scrambled eggs.
- Garnish and serve: Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, remove from heat. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and garnish with black olives (if using). Serve hot with extra olives or a side salad if desired.
Notes
- Vegetarian Bacalhau à Brás: Use mushrooms or jackfruit instead of cod for a plant-based version.
- Bacalhau à Brás with Spinach: Add cooked spinach for extra flavor and color.
- Spicy Bacalhau à Brás: Add chopped fresh chili peppers or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Portuguese, Comfort Food
- Method: Sautéing, Scrambling
- Cuisine: Portuguese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 200mg