Caldeirada de Raya Recipe: Authentic Galician Fish Stew 2026

Caldeirada de raya is one of the most traditional dishes in Galician cooking, a fish stew that comes together with very little effort but delivers a spectacular depth of flavor. Chunks of skate are gently simmered with potatoes, onion and bay leaf, then finished with a warm garlic and paprika ajada spooned over the top.

What makes this version special is the ajada, a classic Galician sauce of olive oil, garlic and sweet paprika that is used to dress fish. Here it gets a little extra character from unto, the cured pork fat that shows up in so many traditional recipes from the region, though plain olive oil works just as well if you cannot find it.

The whole dish is ready in about half an hour, which makes it a perfect weeknight main course that still feels like something you would be proud to serve to guests.

Ingredients for Caldeirada de Raya

This recipe makes 2 generous servings.

• 550 g skate, cut into pieces and skin removed
• Salt
• 500 g potatoes
• 1 medium onion
• 60 g olive oil
• 10 g unto (or olive oil if you cannot find it)
• 3 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon vinegar
• 1 bay leaf

How to Make Caldeirada de Raya Step by Step

1. Salt the skate

The first thing we are going to do is salt 550 g of skate, cut into pieces and skin removed, on both sides.

2. Cut the potatoes and onion

Cut 500 g of potatoes into slices about half a centimeter thick, and cut 1 medium onion into large pieces.

3. Prepare the ajada

Now we are going to prepare the ajada, since we need to let it rest for a bit. Put a pot over medium heat with 60 g of olive oil, 10 g of unto and 3 garlic cloves cut into thin slices. Cook until the unto melts and the garlic slices turn golden, being careful not to let them burn.

4. Add the paprika and vinegar

Next, take the pot off the heat, add 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika and mix well with a whisk. Put the pot back on the heat, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar, stir, cook for 1 minute and the ajada is ready. Set the ajada aside in a separate container to let it cool slightly.

5. Boil the potatoes with the onion

Put a wide pot with water over high heat and when the water comes to a boil, add salt along with the potatoes, the onion and 1 bay leaf. Let everything cook over medium heat for 5 minutes.

6. Add the skate and finish cooking

After the 5 minutes are up, add the skate and let it cook for 10 more minutes.

7. Plate the caldeirada

At this point we can plate the caldeirada de raya. Take the skate out of the pot along with the potatoes and onion, draining the cooking water well, and arrange everything on a serving dish. Then spoon the ajada over the top.

8. Serve right away

Serve the caldeirada de raya freshly made, while the ajada is still warm and fragrant.

Tips for the Best Caldeirada de Raya

What unto adds and how to replace it

Unto is the fat that covers the pig's intestines, cured in salt and smoked, and it is used in many traditional Galician dishes. It is easy to find in supermarkets and butcher shops in Galicia, but if you cannot get it, simply swap the same amount of unto for the same amount of olive oil.

Getting the ajada right

The ajada is a typical Galician sauce made with olive oil, garlic and paprika that is traditionally used to dress fish. The key is to take the pot off the heat before adding the paprika so it does not burn and turn bitter, then return it to the heat just long enough to cook the vinegar for a minute.

Draining and plating

Drain the cooking water well when you move the skate, potatoes and onion to the serving dish, so the ajada stays rich and glossy instead of turning watery. Let the ajada cool slightly before spooning it over so the garlic stays fragrant.

30 Go-To Recipes I Keep Coming Back to at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a little bit of everything—cozy comfort classics, tried-and-true dishes from around the globe, and sweets that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I'll reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this sophisticated Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And on days when I want something fruity and cozy, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my reliable pick.

Come breakfast time or when I'm after a lighter bite, I'll whip up these airy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. And for a gluten-free staple I can keep on hand, this no-fuss Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe does the trick.

For tapas nights and Mediterranean-inspired spreads, I'll bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cool Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. And when the occasion calls for something a touch fancier, this elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is a favorite of mine to serve.

Hearty midday meals and slow, cozy suppers are where these shine: the warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply savory Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Craving something even more substantial? I'll bake up this hearty Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultimate comfort plate, this French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

When street-food cravings hit or I'm feeding a crowd, out come this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, boldly seasoned Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These fuss-free Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe also make a great little appetizer or snack.

And when I'm mixing drinks and planning a whole spread for company, dinner often gets paired with a cool Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a strong Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To tie the whole meal together, I like setting out this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side, or finishing the table with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Even More Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of cooking, testing, and tweaking in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest dishes are built on three things: simplicity, dependable technique, and serious flavor.

These are the recipes I find myself making over and over—whether it's a fast solo meal or a festive spread for loved ones.

On the sweet side, the rich, velvety Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is a go-to when I want something that feels fancy yet comes together easily. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled after the beloved Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, knowing how to make syrup for better dessert texture really helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

For something light and effortless, I'll typically make the traditional Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. When I want a heartier comfort dish, I'm quick to suggest the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the speedy weeknight winner, this One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also a big fan of sharing dishes rooted in tradition from all over the world, like the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and Spain's classic Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another category I turn to often, since it delivers great texture without eating up time. My regular lineup includes the Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

And for those steering clear of wheat, my cozy Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe shows that a classic baked pasta can still be indulgent, cheesy, and completely satisfying without any gluten.

Gluten free Empanada Dough Recipe 🍕 Fluffy Apple Cake Recipe 🍔 Langos Hungarian Fried Bread Recipe 🌭 Gluten Free French Brioche Recipe 🍟 Madeira British Sponge Cake Recipe 🌮 Chocolate Argentinian Cookies Alfajores Recipe 🌯 Barmbrack Irish Sweet Bread Recipe 🥙 Gluten free Cookies Recipe 🥗 Homemade cream Maruxas Galician Biscuit Recipe 🍝 Japanese Dumplings Gyoza Dough Recipe

American Gluten Free Cookies Recipe 🍜 Gluten Free King Cake Recipe 🍲 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 🍛 Extremadura Style Chard Recipe 🍣 Keto Sliced Sandwich Bread Recipe 🍱 Gluten Free Waffles Recipe 🍤 Low Carb Keto Pizza Recipe 🍗 Gluten Free Bread Rolls Recipe 🍖 Flourless Gluten Free Bread Buns Recipe 🥓 Protein Ice Cream Recipe 🥞 Chia Pudding Dessert with Seeds Recipe

Fluffy Cloud Bread Pan Nube Recipe 🧇 Quinoa Bread Recipe 🍞 Schiacciata Tuscan Focaccia Flat Bread Recipe 🥐 Shokupan Japanese Milk Bread Recipe 🥨 Potato Sandwich Bread Recipe 🧀 Homemade Breadsticks Recipe 🍳 Stollen German Dried Fruits Cake Recipe 🥚 French Gingerbread Spiced Cake Recipe 🍰 Gluten Free Pancakes Recipe

🥔 Potato-omelet-in-Thermomix 🍓 Smores-Sandwich-Dessert 🍰 Womens-Day-Mimosa-cake ☕ Coffee-Sorbet 🍆 Eggplant-pizza 🍋 Ciambella-Italian-Lemon-Cake 🥖 Zapiekanka-Polish-Snack 🌰 Dukkah-Egyptian-Nuts-Mix 🧆 Best-Hummus 🥑 Best-Avocado