Codfish Salad Recipe: Quick Spanish Salt Cod Starter, Zesty 2026

This codfish salad is one of those quick, light and deeply flavorful dishes that end up on repeat in our kitchen. It is made with desalted salt cod, roasted red pepper, garlic and a gentle olive oil dressing, so there is nothing to cook and almost nothing to clean up.

We keep roasted peppers in the freezer in portions, which makes this starter come together in about ten minutes. If you prefer, a good-quality jarred roasted pepper works beautifully too. The salad is even better when made a couple of hours ahead, so the flavors marry and deepen.

Serve it as a fresh entrante before a larger meal, or as part of a spread of tapas. A little rest in the fridge is all it needs, and a final shower of fresh oregano right before serving brings it to life.

Ingredients for Codfish Salad

For 2 servings

• 100 g desalted salt cod
• 60 g roasted red pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves

How to Make Codfish Salad Step by Step

1. Flake the cod and cut the peppers

Flake 100 g of desalted salt cod and cut 60 g of roasted red pepper into strips. Press 1 garlic clove and set everything aside.

2. Arrange the peppers on a plate

Spread the roasted pepper strips over the base of a serving plate. This becomes the bed for the cod and the dressing.

3. Add the garlic and oil

Season with salt and pepper to taste, but go easy since the cod is already salty. Scatter the pressed garlic over the peppers and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

4. Add the cod

Distribute the flaked cod over the peppers and gently mix it in with the peppers so everything is evenly combined.

5. Chill and finish with oregano

Cover with plastic wrap and let the salad rest in the fridge overnight, or for at least 2 hours. Serve with 1 teaspoon of fresh oregano leaves scattered on top.

Tips for the Best Codfish Salad

Make it ahead

This salad is at its best when prepared a couple of hours in advance, so the flavors come together and it gains depth. You can even leave it in the fridge overnight. Take it out about half an hour before serving so it is at a pleasant temperature.

Use good roasted peppers

We always keep roasted peppers in the freezer, roasted in large batches and frozen in portions. A good-quality jarred roasted pepper also gives excellent results and saves time.

Switch up the herbs and extras

Fresh oregano is our choice here, but parsley, basil or thyme also give it lovely flavor. If you like, add hard-boiled egg, black olives, parsley, red onion or canned tuna, as the possibilities for customizing are many.

30 Top Recipes I Keep Coming Back To at Home

If you're anything like me, your kitchen rotation probably includes a blend of cozy comfort classics, well-loved dishes from around the globe, and desserts that make everyone happy.

When a rich, indulgent treat is calling my name, I typically reach for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this refined Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a luscious Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And whenever something fruity and soothing sounds right, this timeless French Tarte Tatin recipe is my go-to.

For mornings that need an easy start or lighter fare, these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a hearty Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these bright Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe are frequent picks. And for a gluten-free staple I can count on, this straightforward Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe is one I enjoy putting together.

Whenever tapas and Mediterranean cooking are on my mind, I bounce between this punchy Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, golden Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, velvety Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and a cooling Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. This elegant Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe is another one I love to serve when the occasion calls for something a bit more upscale.

Come lunch or a comforting supper, I'm always quick to suggest this warming Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, time-honored Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, deeply flavored Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and silky Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. Should I be after something more substantial, I'll bake up this Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, a homey Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the deeply satisfying French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Some nights I'm after street-food vibes or party-ready plates, and that's when I'll whip up this succulent Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crunchy Salchipapas recipe, punchy Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crisp Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. These effortless Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe are another favorite of mine to set out as a snack or starter.

And when I'm building drinks and a whole spread for company, I'll regularly match dinner with this cooling Original Cuban Mojito recipe, a potent Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To fill out the table, I like to add this zesty French Remoulade Sauce recipe alongside, or finish things off with this eye-catching Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

Additional Tasty Recipes the Whole Family Will Enjoy

After years of testing and fine-tuning dishes in my own kitchen, I've come to believe the finest recipes are built on straightforward steps, dependable methods, and serious flavor.

What follows are the dishes I genuinely cook over and over—whether it's a fast meal just for me or something memorable for friends and family.

On the sweet side, the rich, silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I turn to when I want something impressive yet simple. Another dessert I adore is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, modeled on the well-known Central European chimney cake. If baking is your thing, understanding how to make syrup for better dessert texture helps, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe walks through exactly how I do it at home.

When something light and uncomplicated is what I'm after, I'll usually go with the timeless Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a flawlessly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For richer comfort cooking, I'm quick to point people to the filling Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the smooth Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the fast weeknight go-to One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I'm also fond of sharing dishes with global roots, such as the genuine Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crisp Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the traditional Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer cooking is another area I return to often, since it cuts down on time while still delivering excellent results. The ones I make most include 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 classic baked pasta can still be decadent, cheesy, and deeply satisfying without any gluten.

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