9 products
Bacalalo's prepared cod dishes are deli-made products ready to heat and serve: brandada, croquettes, esqueixada, stewed cod, and other traditional recipes made with the same cod and derivatives that we sell by weight. The idea is simple: for you to enjoy a quality fishmonger's dish —one that takes hours of desalting, emulsifying, or béchamel preparation— without having to cook it yourself. Here we explain exactly what these dishes are, how they differ from supermarket ultra-processed foods, how to finish them at home so they taste freshly made, and how to store them safely.
What are prepared cod dishes?
They are already prepared recipes that only need heating or plating before eating. They are not ingredients or semi-finished products; they are the finished dish. In this collection, you will basically find four families:
- Cod Brandada: The creamy emulsion of shredded cod, oil, and, in its Catalan version, potato. Spreadable or gratinéed.
- Cod Croquettes: Béchamel with shredded cod, breaded and ready to fry or bake/air fry.
- Esqueixada: The Catalan salad of raw desalted cod, tomato, onion, and olives. Cold, ready to serve.
- Stewed and Hot Preparations: Stewed cod with potatoes, cod in sauce, and other traditional recipes for heating.
All of them are based on the same product we work with in the store: cod whose salt content, cut, and origin we control. That's what distinguishes them from any industrial prepared dish.
The real advantage: deli quality without cooking
Making these dishes well at home takes time and technique. A well-emulsified brandada requires desalting the cod for 24-48 hours and preparing the emulsion without it breaking. Creamy croquettes depend on a perfect béchamel and a crispy coating. The esqueixada needs properly desalted cod to be eaten raw safely. Buying the already prepared dish saves you that work and, above all, guarantees the result: the same recipe you would make yourself, but made by someone who repeats it every day with fishmonger's products. Double advantage —time and consistency— without sacrificing homemade flavor.
How to finish each dish at home
These dishes arrive prepared, but you take the final step. Do it well, and they will taste freshly made:
- Brandada: for spreading, bring to room temperature; for gratinating, bake at 200 ºC for about 8-10 minutes until the surface is golden brown. Learn how to get the most out of it in our guide to cod brandada: technique and 5 ways to use it.
- Croquettes: fry in abundant oil at 180 ºC until golden brown, or use an air fryer. You have the exact times in cod croquettes in air fryer.
- Esqueixada: served cold, directly. Just dress with good extra virgin olive oil before serving.
- Stewed dishes: heat over low heat, without boiling vigorously, so that the cod does not dry out or fall apart.
Cod Brandada ready to serve
The brandada is our star prepared dish: creamy, intense, and versatile. It serves as a spread on toast, as a filling for piquillo peppers, as a base for canapés, or au gratin in the oven. If you want to understand its origin and how to make it well, read cod brandada: classic recipe and emulsion tricks and the most deeply rooted version in our area, the traditional Catalan brandada. Ours starts with well-desalted shredded cod, which is what defines its texture.
Esqueixada: Catalan salad ready for the table
The cod esqueixada is the freshest prepared dish in the collection: raw desalted cod, shredded by hand, with tomato, onion, olives, and good oil. It is ideal for summer and for those looking for something light without sacrificing the flavor of cod. Since it is eaten raw, desalting and cold treatment are critical: we start with desalted cod at its optimal point. If you want to know the complete recipe, you have the Catalan esqueixada guide.
Cod Croquettes: deli béchamel
Cod croquettes depend on two things: a creamy béchamel and well-distributed shredded cod. Ours arrive breaded and ready to fry or finish in an air fryer. If you are interested in the technical details —proportions, béchamel consistency, and breading—, read perfect cod croquettes or the creamy homemade recipe. They start with our shredded cod and derivatives.
Stewed cod and hot preparations
For those looking for a hearty dish, stewed cod with potatoes and vegetables is comforting and complete, ready to heat. Keep the heat gentle so that the cod remains intact and juicy. You have the homemade version explained in stewed cod: comforting recipe with potatoes and vegetables. It's the perfect option for a weekday when you don't have time to cook but crave a real dish.
Ingredients and craftsmanship: what they truly contain
The difference between a fishmonger's prepared dish and a supermarket one lies in the ingredient list. Ours contain real cod as the main ingredient, olive oil, potato, milk or vegetables depending on the recipe, and little else. No added proteins to cut costs, no excess starches or enhancers to mask the lack of product. When a cod dish is made with good desalted cod at its perfect point, it doesn't need tricks: the flavor comes from the raw material.
Difference from industrial ultra-processed foods
An industrial prepared dish and a deli-made one may seem the same on the shelf, but they are not. Notice these differences:
- Proportion of cod: in industrial products, cod is usually a minority; in deli-made ones, it is the protagonist.
- Additives: fewer stabilizers, flavors, and enhancers in artisan products.
- Salt level: controlled from real desalting, not corrected with added salt.
- Traceability: we know which cod and which cut each dish comes from.
It's not marketing: these are verifiable factors by reading the label and tasting the dish. That is the promise of a fishmonger's since 1990.
Storage: refrigerated, frozen, and shelf life
Prepared cod dishes are fresh or frozen products, not ambient temperature preserves. That's why the cold chain is paramount:
- Refrigerated: keep between 0 and 4 ºC and consume within the indicated date. Esqueixada and fresh brandada are for quick consumption.
- Frozen: croquettes and stews withstand freezing well. Thaw in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.
- Once opened or heated: consume on the same day and do not refreeze.
Respecting the cold is not a detail: it is what guarantees that the dish arrives and is preserved in the same conditions as when it left the deli.
Occasions: from appetizer to everyday dish
These dishes solve very different situations. Brandada and croquettes are perfect for appetizers, snacks, or starters when you have guests and little time. Esqueixada works as a fresh summer starter or light meal. Stewed cod is a complete everyday dish. For parties and gatherings, brandada offers many possibilities for canapés: you have 15 ideas in cod brandada for appetizers. The same product, many tables.
Refrigerated shipping: how it reaches your home
As these are fresh and frozen dishes, we send them with refrigerated transport and isothermal packaging to maintain the temperature throughout the journey. The goal is for the dish to arrive in the same condition as it left the deli, ready to store cold or finish at home. If you have questions about delivery times or areas, consult us before purchasing: we prefer the product to arrive perfectly rather than quickly.
Why buy your prepared dishes at Bacalalo
Because we start with the same cod that we sell by weight, controlled at origin, cut, and salt level since 1990 in the Mercat del Ninot. We don't improvise recipes to fill a catalog: we prepare the ones we master with fishmonger's products, not with filler cod. You buy time and peace of mind without sacrificing the flavor of a dish made with care.
Guides and recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
We offer the most emblematic traditional recipes: Bacalao al Pil-Pil, Bacalao a la Vizcaína, Bacalao al Horno con Patatas, Brandada de Bacalao, Esqueixada, Kokotxas en Salsa Verde, Callos de Bacalao Guisados, and Arroz Caldoso con Bacalao .
All are made with premium Gadus morhua Extra cod, following traditional artisanal recipes without artificial preservatives. Availability varies by season - see our updated catalog on our website.
Dishes in sauce (pil-pil, Vizcaína) are heated in a bain-marie (5-7 min) or microwave (3-4 min at medium power) . Dishes in trays (baked cod) are baked at 180°C for 12-15 minutes.
Each dish includes specific instructions on the packaging . Cold dishes (esqueixada, brandada) can be consumed directly from the refrigerator or at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
Vacuum-packed dishes last 7-15 days refrigerated at 2-4°C , depending on the specific product (check the best before date on the packaging). Once opened, consume within 24-48 hours stored in an airtight container.
They can also be frozen for up to 3 months without loss of quality. Defrost slowly in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours before heating.
Prices range from €8-18 per individual serving depending on the dish and its complexity. A single serving of Bacalao al Pil-Pil costs approximately €12-14. Bacalao a la Vizcaína costs €13-15. Brandada or Esqueixada costs €8-10.
Considering that they are made with premium Gadus morhua cod and artisanal recipes, the price is very competitive compared to restaurants (where a pil-pil costs €18-25) and superior in quality to industrial ready-made meals.
These dishes are handcrafted in small batches following traditional recipes , using the same premium cod we sell at the counter and without artificial preservatives. They are not mass-produced, industrially prepared meals.
The preparation is overseen by chefs experienced in traditional Basque and Catalan cuisine , using authentic techniques (hand-combined pil-pil sauce, real choricero peppers in the Biscayan sauce). The result is restaurant quality.
Each dish specifies its ingredients on the packaging . Pil-pil contains: desalted cod, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, and chili pepper. Vizcaína contains: cod, dried red peppers, onion, tomato, and olive oil. Baked cod contains: cod, potatoes, onion, oil, and parsley.
All ingredients are of the highest quality : Spanish extra virgin olive oil, fresh vegetables, no artificial colors or flavorings. Full list of ingredients and allergens available on each product.
