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Serenata de Bacalao

A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Serenata de Bacalao is a rustic salad of salt cod, boiled yuca, potatoes and green bananas, dressed in olive oil and vinegar and crowned with avocado, hard-boiled eggs and olives.

⏱ 30 minPrep time
🔥 40 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Serenata de Bacalao - Portoricain recipe

A traditional Puerto Rican dish — Serenata de Bacalao is a rustic salad of salt cod, boiled yuca, potatoes and green bananas, dressed in olive oil and vinegar and crowned with avocado, hard-boiled eggs and olives. Its name means ‘codfish serenade’, a nod to the dish’s humble, romantic roots. Served warm or at room temperature, it is a beloved lenten and beach-day meal.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Desalt the cod by soaking in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water several times; then simmer it in fresh water for 15 minutes. Drain, cool, and flake into large pieces.
  2. Boil the yuca, potatoes and green bananas separately in salted water until tender, 15 to 25 minutes each; drain.
  3. In a skillet, warm half the olive oil and sauté the onion, bell pepper and garlic until soft, then add the flaked cod and tomatoes and cook 5 minutes more.
  4. On a large serving platter, layer the root vegetables with the cod mixture, then dress with the remaining olive oil and the vinegar.
  5. Garnish with the eggs, olives, avocado and cilantro, and serve warm or at room temperature.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Taste the cod before adding salt; even well-desalted bacalao can be salty. Serve with tostones or crusty bread to complete the meal.

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Recipe details

Prep30 min
Cook40 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

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Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →