Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2025 in
Seafood Recipes
Bacalhau à Narcisa: Portuguese Cod with Onions Recipe
Portuguese cod with onions, known as Bacalhau à Narcisa, is a classic dish of flaky salted cod gently cooked with sweet onions and olive oil, often shared at the table with potatoes and bread. Ready in about 55 min and easy to make, it’s perfect for weekends or relaxed weeknights—give it a try tonight.
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Portuguese cod with onions, Bacalhau à Narcisa style—tender flakes, sweet onions, and olive oil deliver true comfort. Discover the classic recipe.
Recipe Info
| Preparation time | 15 min |
| Cooking Time | 40 min |
| Ready In | 55 min |
| Level of Difficulty | Easy |
| Servings | 3 Servings |
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Calories | 662 kcal |
| Fat | 50 g |
| Carbs | 80 g |
| Protein | 16 g |
Ingredients
4 cod fillets (desalted or thawed, as you prefer)3 medium potatoes (about 600–700 g / 1.3–1.5 lb)2 large onions (about 400–450 g / ~1 lb total)2 garlic cloves2 bay leavesSweet paprika, to tasteFlour (optional, if you prefer the cod lightly fried)Extra-virgin olive oilSalt (for the potatoes; adjust cod saltiness as needed)
Preparation
- The star of this dish is the cod, whether you’re using pre-desalted fillets or thawed frozen ones.
- Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large pot or deep pan.
- You can choose to lightly coat the cod in flour and fry it, or—my preferred method—gently cook it over low heat until it’s done.
- Once cooked, remove the cod and keep it covered.
- The olive oil now holds all the cod’s flavor — we’re going to use it again.
- Peel, wash, and slice the potatoes into medium-thick rounds. Season with salt.
- Using the same oil, fry the potatoes:
- Start with the oil very hot, then lower the heat and let them cook slowly. Stir gently so they don’t stick.
- When soft and tender, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels and set aside.
- If there’s too much oil, remove a little.
- In the same olive oil, sauté the sliced onions with a pinch of salt and the thinly sliced garlic.
- When tender, add the bay leaves and sweet paprika.
- Stir well and let it cook for a few more minutes.
- Now on a serving dish, add the base of potatoes.
- Next add the cod.
- Then the onions on top of the cod and a drizzle of the flavored olive oil
- Serve warm and enjoy that rich, comforting Portuguese flavor.
Recipe & Photo Credit: amimaneracocinando.com
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