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Fish, European

Bacalhau à Brás

Bacalhau à Brás is a Portuguese dish made with shredded salt cod, matchstick potatoes and scrambled eggs. It serves 4, takes 45 minutes, is easy to make, and costs about €3.60 per serving. The trick is pulling it off the heat while the eggs are still creamy, so they stay silky instead of turning dry.

Tonight it's the Lisbon favorite everyone loves, bacalhau à Brás, shredded salt cod with matchstick fries, onions and scrambled eggs.

Bacalhau à Brás
Total time
45 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.60
Calories per person
700 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
The kids
They generally like it

Bacalhau à Brás brings together textures that sound unlikely on paper but work beautifully on the plate. The shredded cod stays tender, the matchstick fries add crunch, and the eggs bind everything in a softness that should never slide into dry scrambled territory. Black olives and fresh parsley wake up each bite with a salty, green edge.

This is the kind of dish you make on a weeknight when you want something comforting without spending hours in the kitchen, but it also works well for a Sunday with guests curious about a Portuguese classic. Kids tend to like it thanks to the potatoes and eggs, just leave the olives off their plate if they're picky. At Mon Chou, we bring this one back often because it's a change from the usual fish dinner while staying genuinely simple.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Desalted salt cod 500 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Potatoes 600 g
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Parsley 1 bunch

Dairy

  • Eggs 8

Pantry

  • Black olives 60 g
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 20 cl
  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 4 tbsp
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Fish, Eggs

The step by step recipe

  1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into thin matchsticks, then fry them in hot oil until golden. 12 min

    Dry them well before frying, they'll turn out nice and crisp.

  2. Flake the desalted cod, removing any bones and skin.

    Run your fingers under cold water, you'll feel any remaining bones easily.

  3. Sauté the sliced onions and garlic in olive oil, add the cod and cook for a few minutes. 10 min

    The onions should turn soft, not browned.

  4. Add the matchstick potatoes, then pour in the beaten eggs and stir gently until just set. 4 min

    Skip the salt, the cod already brings plenty.

  5. Serve right away with the black olives, parsley and pepper.

    Bring the pan straight to the table, the dish tastes best piping hot.

Our tips to get it right

  • Desalt the cod well ahead of time, changing the water several times, otherwise the dish turns too salty once the eggs go in.
  • Cut the potatoes as thin as you can, true fine matchsticks, so they stay crisp even once they're folded into the eggs.
  • Stir the eggs with a wooden spoon over low heat, too high a flame sets them too fast and leaves a grainy texture instead of a creamy one.

The variations

  • Swap the salt cod for fresh cod, poached then flaked, if you don't have time to desalt salted fish.
  • For a fish free version, replace the cod with sliced mushrooms sautéed in the pan, the eggs and potatoes still make it satisfying.
  • For kids, serve a portion without olives and with less pepper, they usually enjoy the rest as is.

What to serve it with

  • A green salad with lemon
  • A glass of Portuguese white wine
  • Bread for soaking up the juices

Storage

Bacalhau à Brás keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It doesn't freeze well since the eggs and potatoes lose their texture. Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat rather than in the microwave, so the eggs don't turn rubbery.

Questions about this dish

Can you make bacalhau à Brás ahead of time?

You can desalt the cod and flake it a day ahead, and cut the potatoes too. But cook the eggs at the last minute, they lose their softness if they sit.

What kind of cod should you use?

Look for salt cod sold already desalted, or plan at least 24 hours of soaking in cold water, changed several times. The quality of the cod really shapes the final flavor.

Can you use boiled potatoes instead of fried matchsticks?

Yes, but you'll lose the dish's signature crunch. For a lighter version, sauté diced potatoes in a pan instead of frying them.

Is bacalhau à Brás good for kids?

Yes, the eggs and potatoes soften the cod's flavor nicely. Just leave the olives off their plate if they're not a fan.

How long does it take to make a bacalhau à Brás?

Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a bacalhau à Brás?

About 700 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a bacalhau à Brás cost?

About €3.60 per serving, or €14.40 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, eggs. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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