How to Prepare Salt Cod

Discover the timeless culinary art of preparing salt cod—a staple in traditional cuisines around the world. This essential guide walks you through the process of properly desalting and cooking salt cod to perfection. With just two ingredients—salt cod and cold water—this slow but rewarding technique ensures the fish retains its tender, flaky texture while achieving the perfect balance of flavor. By soaking the cod for 24-48 hours and changing the water regularly, you’ll transform this pantry-friendly ingredient into a versatile centerpiece for salt cod fritters, hearty stews, or comforting casseroles. Ideal for seafood enthusiasts, this recipe guarantees a deliciously authentic result that’s well worth the time. Perfect your salt cod preparation and elevate your next homemade dish!

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:1440 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:1465 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams salt cod (boneless or bone-in)
• 2000 milliliters cold water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the salt cod pieces thoroughly under cold running water to remove excess surface salt.

Step 2

Place the salt cod in a large container or bowl and cover it completely with cold water, ensuring it is submerged.

Step 3

Refrigerate the bowl for 24-48 hours, depending on the thickness of the cod, changing the water every 6-8 hours to remove the excess salt.

Step 4

After soaking, taste a small piece of the cod to check the salt level. If it’s still too salty, soak it for an additional 12-24 hours, continuing to change the water periodically.

Step 5

Once the cod has been properly desalted, drain the water and pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel.

Step 6

If using the salt cod immediately, poach it in a saucepan filled with simmering water for 10-15 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Step 7

Drain the poached salt cod and use it in your desired recipe, such as salt cod fritters, stews, or casseroles.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2503.5 grams (2503.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	525

Total Fat 2.50g	3%
Saturated Fat 0.50g	3%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 250mg	83%
Sodium 35075mg	1525%
Total Carbohydrate 0.00g	0%
Dietary Fiber 0.00g	0%
Total Sugars 0.00g
Protein 115.00g	230%

Vitamin D 200IU	1000%
Calcium 284mg	22%
Iron 6mg	33%
Potassium 1500mg	32%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 4.7%

Protein: 95.3%

Carbs: 0.0%