EcuadorianMedium · Hot
This is the soup Manuel grew up walking toward on Saturday mornings — cod poached in a cumin-warmed broth of tomato and onion, finished with lime juice and cilantro that brighten the whole bowl right before it reaches the table. The onion softens until it is almost sweet, and the broth carries all of it without being heavy. A good broth forgives a hard week.
20 min
30 min
50 min
Method
Place the sliced onion in a small bowl with the red wine vinegar and salt. Toss well and let sit at room temperature while you prepare the broth, stirring occasionally.
Add water to cover the ingredients by about 2 inches. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer.
Add the cubed potatoes and cook for 10 minutes until tender but still holding their shape.
Add the cod chunks and cook for 5 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Do not overcook.
Remove from heat. Squeeze the juice of both limes into the broth. Stir in the chopped cilantro.
Taste and adjust salt and black pepper as needed.
Serve the encebollado in deep bowls over steamed white rice, topped with a generous portion of the pickled onions. Serve with extra lime wedges on the side.
Nutri-Score
Excellent balance
A–E · lower is better · score -1
Calories
599
per serving
Protein
36g
Carbs
86g
Fat
12g
Sat. fat
2g
Fiber
6g
Sugar
8g
Sodium
1844mg
Nutri-Score is a general nutritional-balance guide, not medical or dietary advice.
Environmental impact
Estimated footprint
Grade pending · 72% ingredient coverage
kg CO2e
≥0.7
per serving
White Rice drives 48% of this recipe’s estimated footprint.
Carbon from Poore & Nemecek 2018; water, land & runoff from Agribalyse — modelled averages for comparing recipes, not a measurement of your groceries.
Flavor Profile
Umami
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Spicy
Textures
Aromas
Safety & Storage
Cooking Temperature
Cod must reach an internal temperature of at least 145°F (63°C) to ensure food safety. The recipe specifies cooking until fish flakes easily with a fork, which indicates proper doneness.
Cross Contamination
Raw cod should not contact other ingredients, utensils, or surfaces. Use separate cutting boards and sanitize surfaces after handling raw fish to prevent bacterial transfer.
High Risk Population
This dish contains fish with small bones that may not be fully removed. Exercise caution when serving to children, elderly individuals, or persons with swallowing difficulties.
Storage
If storing leftover encebollado, cool to room temperature within 2 hours, refrigerate at or below 40°F (4°C), and consume within 2-3 days. The broth base supports bacterial growth if left in the temperature danger zone.
Handling
Ensure fresh cod is of high quality, smells clean (not fishy or ammonia-like), and has firm flesh. Avoid cross-contact with any fish sauce or seafood products if preparing modifications.
Pro Tips
Technique
The secret is in the onion — cook it low and slow for at least 10 minutes until it turns golden and sweet. Rushing this step gives you a sharp, raw onion taste instead of that mellow foundation that makes the broth taste like it has been cooking all day.
Flavor Boost
Don't skip the final squeeze of lime — it is the bright finish that lifts the whole stew. Taste before serving and add more if needed; a good encebollado should have that citrus zing that makes you want to keep eating.
Substitution
If you cannot find fresh cod, thick white fish fillets like halibut or sea bass work beautifully. Just be careful not to overcook — the fish is done the moment it flakes easily with a fork.
From the chef
Encebollado lives or dies by its broth. The onion needs real time in the pot — ten minutes, not a quick soften — until it turns golden and almost sweet, and the tomato has to be coaxed into a sauce before you pour in the water. Cod goes in near the end and just poaches through, staying tender in the cumin-warm broth. The pickled onions on top cut right through the richness with their vinegar bite. A squeeze of lime and cilantro stirred in at the very end are not optional — they are the moment the whole bowl comes alive.
Source: generated · May 30, 2026