Bacalao in English: Cod, Codfish, and Other Terms
If you've ever tried to find a cod recipe in English, or wanted to explain what bacalao is to a foreign friend, you've probably realized that the translation isn't as simple as it seems. At Bacalalo, we've been serving customers from all over the world at Mercat del Ninot in Barcelona for over 30 years, and this question comes up more often than you'd imagine: "How do you say bacalao in English?" The short answer is cod or codfish. The complete answer requires a bit more context.
The vocabulary for bacalao in English is rich and specific because Anglo-Saxon countries, especially the UK, Portugal (where English has influence), and Scandinavian countries, have a deep historical relationship with this fish. Understanding the correct terms will help you buy better, cook with international recipes, and understand the global gastronomy of cod.
The Basic Translation: Cod and Codfish
Cod is the most common term in English for fresh bacalao. It is the shortened form of codfish, which is used interchangeably although codfish sounds more formal or archaic. In most everyday contexts, English speakers simply say cod.
The scientific species is Gadus morhua, known in English as Atlantic cod. This distinction matters because in Anglophone markets, other cheaper species, such as Pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus), which is similar but of lower culinary quality, are sometimes sold as "cod."
Examples of use:
- "I'd like some fresh cod, please." (Quiero bacalao fresco, por favor.)
- "Fish and chips is traditionally made with cod." (El fish and chips se hace tradicionalmente con bacalao.)
- "This codfish stew is a Portuguese classic." (Este guiso de bacalao es un clásico portugués.)
Salt Cod: The Salted Cod
This is where the translation gets complicated and where the specific vocabulary of bacalao in English becomes more relevant for lovers of Spanish and Portuguese gastronomy.
Salt cod (literally "salted cod") is the term for cod cured in salt, which is exactly what we call bacalao in Spain. In Mediterranean countries, when we say "bacalao," we almost always mean salt cod, desalted before cooking. In English, this distinction must be made explicit by saying salt cod.
Terms related to salt cod in English:
- Salt cod: Cod cured in salt. Most common in Anglophone recipes of Mediterranean or Caribbean tradition.
- Dried salt cod: Dried and salted cod. Equivalent to the Spanish "bacalao seco," which is sold in rigid planks.
- Desalted cod: Desalted cod, ready to cook after soaking.
- Bacalao: Interestingly, in American English and in a gastronomic context, the Spanish word "bacalao" is used directly to refer to the dish or product, especially in Caribbean recipes and in Iberian cuisine restaurants.
Stockfish: Dried Cod Without Salt
Stockfish is another important term in the vocabulary of bacalao in English, although it is less known in Spain. Stockfish is cod air-dried without salt, a traditional Norwegian preservation technique. It is dried on wooden racks in the cold, dry Arctic air for several months, until the fish is so rigid it resembles wood (hence the name: stock in Old Norse means trunk or stick).
The difference from salt cod:
- Salt cod: Cured in salt, needs desalting before cooking (24-48 hours in cold water).
- Stockfish: Air-dried without salt, needs prolonged rehydration (5-8 days in cold water, changing the water daily).
Stockfish is the base of Italian baccalà alla vicentina and Norwegian klippfisk. In Spain, it is mainly imported for Basque Country and Catalonia cuisine, where some traditional recipes expressly specify it.
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Cod Cuts in English: Complete Vocabulary
If you're looking for recipes in English or shopping in international stores, knowing the names of the cuts in English is very useful:
- Cod loin: Lomo de bacalao. The thickest and most prized cut from the upper back.
- Cod fillet: Filete de bacalao. Boneless portion of the loin, can be with or without skin.
- Cod steak: Rodaja de bacalao, cut crosswise with a central bone.
- Cod cheeks: Cocochas or carrilleras de bacalao. A very specific and prized cut in Basque cuisine (what Spaniards call "kokotxas").
- Cod belly: Ventresca or vientre de bacalao. The fattiest and most gelatinous part.
- Cod maw / cod tripe: Callos de bacalao or tripas. Not very common in English-speaking countries, but it exists.
- Cod roe: Hueva de bacalao. Very popular in the UK (smoked cod roe is one of the bases of Greek taramasalata).
- Cod liver: Hígado de bacalao. Famous for cod liver oil, widely used as a supplement.
- Bacalao flakes / shredded cod: Bacalao desmigado or in migas.
International Cod Recipes and Their English Names
Bacalao in English appears in many classic recipes from different cuisines, with names worth knowing:
Fish and chips: The British national dish. Originally made with cod, although overfishing has led many establishments today to use haddock. Battered and fried cod, served with french fries and mushy peas.
Bacalao a la vizcaina (Basque-style cod): In English, it is simply described as "Basque cod stew" or "cod in red pepper sauce." The Basque designation "bacalao" is maintained even in English cookbooks.
Brandade de morue: The Provençal and Languedoc dish of cod with emulsified oil and garlic. In English, it is called salt cod brandade or brandade of salt cod.
Bacalhau com natas (Portuguese cod with cream): The most international Portuguese dish is described in English as "creamed salt cod gratin" or the Portuguese name is kept. Portugal brings bacalao in English to the global world.
Accras de morue (Caribbean salt cod fritters): Caribbean cod fritters are called salt cod fritters or accras (from the Creole term) in English. Very popular in Martinique, Guadeloupe, and the Antilles.
Ackee and saltfish: The national dish of Jamaica. Jamaican "saltfish" is desalted and shredded salt cod, cooked with ackee (a tropical fruit). A fascinating example of how Cantabrian cod reached the Caribbean through colonial trade.
Pronunciation and Use in Everyday Contexts
To complete the vocabulary of bacalao in English, here is the basic pronunciation of the most commonly used terms:
- Cod: /kɒd/ (British English) or /kɑːd/ (American English). Rhymes with "rod" or "god."
- Codfish: /ˈkɒdfɪʃ/. Two syllables, stress on the first.
- Salt cod: /sɔːlt kɒd/. Two separate words, no special stress on either.
- Stockfish: /ˈstɒkfɪʃ/. Also two syllables, stress on the first.
- Bacalao: In English, it is generally pronounced /ˌbækəˈlaʊ/, although it varies depending on the speaker. English speakers with Mediterranean culinary experience say it more closely to Spanish.
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Natural Cod Liver Foie Gras - 120g
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CHATKA Wild King Crab 250g
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Refrigerated shipping 24-48h throughout the Peninsula
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Frequently asked questions about bacalao in English
Is "bacalao" always "cod" in English?
The direct translation of bacalao is cod or codfish. But depending on the context, it may be more accurate to use salt cod, dried cod, or fresh cod. In American English, especially in Latin American or Caribbean gastronomic contexts, the word "bacalao" is used directly without translation.
What is the difference between cod and haddock?
Haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is a close relative of cod, from the same family (Gadidae). It is smaller, with a distinctive black lateral line and a dark spot behind the gills. The taste is similar to cod but somewhat milder and less firm. In the north of England and Scotland, haddock surpasses cod in popularity for fish and chips. In Spain, it is practically unknown as a consumer product.
How do you say desalar bacalao in English?
"To desalt cod" or "to soak salt cod" are the most common expressions. The process in English is described as "soaking the salt cod in cold water, changing the water every 8-12 hours, for 24-48 hours". "To rehydrate dried salt cod" is also used for the process of soaking drier cod.
Is Spanish cod known in English-speaking countries?
In the United Kingdom, cod is a very popular fish for fish and chips, but the Spanish format of salted cod is much less known. However, Portuguese and Caribbean communities in the UK and the United States do consume it regularly. In the United States, New York City has specialized stores selling salt cod for the Latino, Portuguese, and Caribbean communities.
What are the most famous cod dishes called in English?
Fish and chips (battered cod with french fries) is the most internationally known. Brandade de morue is known in Anglophone gastronomy. Portuguese bacalhau com natas is frequently mentioned in travel guides. In the world of haute cuisine, Basque kokotxas al pil-pil appear in English as "cod cheeks in pil-pil sauce."
Are cod liver oil and cod as food the same thing?
Cod liver oil is extracted from the liver of cod and is primarily used as a nutritional supplement. It has no direct relation to cod as food in cooking, although it shares a common origin. Cod liver oil is very rich in vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA. Cod liver as food (cod foie) is different: it is consumed as a preserve, with a texture similar to foie gras and an intense marine flavor.
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