Pescado a la Veracruzana, or Veracruz-Style Fish, is a yummy and healthy dish with tons of flavor. Not too spicy and absolutely delicious. Serve with rice.
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Once when I lived in Tabasco, Mexico, my friend, Esme, wanted to do a road trip to Veracruz. We jumped in Esme’s old, beat up truck and started on the 5-hour drive.
There was no AC in the truck. Despite the intense heat and humidity of Southern Mexico, we rolled the windows down.
After a few hours, we were drenched in sweat and gulping water by the gallons. Then Esme pulled over and said she couldn’t drive anymore. Heat exhaustion had kicked in and she was about to pass out.
The problem: I didn’t drive stick shift! I got behind the wheel. Clunk… the engine shut off. Clunk… Clunk.. It turned off again.
On the third time, no clunk and somehow it started going. I drove to the nearest village where we recovered.
Whenever I make this dish, I vividly remember the time I learned to drive stick shift.
How to Make Pescado a la Veracruzana
This is the frozen tilapia package I get from Trader Joe’s.
To make Pescado Veracruz, you can make this dish with frozen fish.
The sauce for Pescado Veracruzano is flavor flavorful and will take away that yucky frozen fish flavor.
Fresh fish is fine too.
Other fish you can use:
- White cod
- Red snapper
- Sea bass
Or any white fish. However, red snapper is traditionally used.
I do not recommend using an oily fish like salmon.
I’m using fresh tomatoes because they were on sale. Gotta a save my pesos whenever I can.
You can also use a can of stewed tomatoes to make Pescado a la Veracruzana (or Fish Veracruz).
That brings us to the name:
You will hear different names for this dish.
- Pescado a la Veracruzana is the way that I know it.
- Some people will call it Pescado Veracruz.
- I’ve also heard Fish Veracruz and Pescado Veracruzana.
- Pescado ala Veracruz
- Flounder Veracruz
- Only to confuse you more, there are people who also refer to this dish as Pescado Veracruzano.
You must understand that we have a lot of different names for things in Spanish. Mexicans like nicknames. Everyone has a nickname. lol.
Origins of Pescado a la Veracruzana
This dish is a collaboration of the new and old worlds.
The Old World had capers and olives.
The New World had tomatoes and chiles.
Veracruz is located on the Gulf of Mexico. It played an extremely important part in the Spanish conquest of Mexico by Hernán Cortés.
They founded Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz on May 18, 1519. It was the first Spanish town in what is now Mexico.
Capers are very salty. Be sure to drain them well before adding them to the casserole plate.
The cuisine of Veracruz is unique in that it is a mixture of indigenous foods, Spanish cuisine, and other cultural influences.
Whenever you hear a recipe is “Veracruz-style,” it usually means it has a tomato, olive, and capers mixture.
Mainly to reference that the dish is both European and indigenous in nature.
• Transfer the tomato mixture to a large casserole dish and place the fish on top.
• Add some salt to the fish and bake for 15 minutes or until fish is done.
Notice how I’m not using a lot of salt? That’s because you don’t need add extra salt.
The olives and capers are salty enough.
Make sure you’re using pitted olives. You don’t want to be taking out olive pits at the table.
Although, I really like the pimento stuffed olives, but that’s just personal choice.
On the left is chile güero. It’s a milder chile and not very spicy. Traditionally, Fish Veracruz uses this chile.
I sometimes have a hard time finding it. To substitute chile güero, use pickled jalapeño instead.
The Pescado a la Veracruzana come out just as tasty.
How to Make Pescado a la Veracruzana on the stove
- Follow the recipe instructions below up to step 9.
- Add a splash of water to the skillet and mix to combine.
- Add the fish on top of the tomato mixture.
- Reduce the heat and cover.
- Cook on low-medium heat for 7-10 minutes, or until fish is fully cooked
Pescado a la Veracruzana will blow your tastebuds away.
It is a favorite during Lent with just the right amount of spice.
This dish is also perfect for summer or when you are trying to get ready for summer. Wink. Wink.
Serve with a side of rice, veggies, and lime wedges. Enjoy!
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Pescado a la Veracruzana will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Reheat on the stove or microwave, and enjoy!
How to Freeze Pescado a la Veracruzana?
- Place everything in a plastic bag.
- Remove as much air as possible.
- It will last for 2-3 months in the freezer.
- Thaw in the fridge and reheat on the stove, or microwave for 5-6 minutes.
Table of Contents
Pescado a la Veracruzana (Veracruz-Style Fish)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ onion finely diced
- 2 garlic clove finely diced
- 4 Roma tomatoes diced (or 1 can stewed tomatoes)
- 4 pickled jalapeño finely diced
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ cup olives sliced
- 2 tablespoons capers drained
- 4 tilapia fillets
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pan.
- Add the onion and garlic.
- Stir for one minute.
- Add the tomatoes.
- Mash the tomatoes using a potato masher. If using canned tomatoes, skip this step.
- Add pickled jalapeños, oregano, bay leaf, olives, and capers.
- Let everything simmer for 2 minutes.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, add a splash of water to thin it out.
- Season the fish with salt and pepper.
- Lay the fish on top of the tomato sauce.
- Spoon some of the sauce over the fish.
- Cover and cook on medium-low until the fish is fully cooked.
- About 5 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Simple easy and very delicious.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for your comment.
OH goodness you didn’t use that awful farmed tilapia junk…oh you did. Do yourself a favor, buy some mahi mahi and do it again.
I think it depends on budget. If you can’t afford mahi mahi or an expensive cut of fish, try it with tilapia. It will taste just fine.
This recipe sounds amazingly delicious and healthy. Cannot wait to try it out
It really is. Hope you try it!
Oh my yum! What a flavor bomb of light flaky fish with that spicy special sauce!
This recipe is do yummy. Hope you try it!
You never failed to make my tummy growl, Maggie! This Pescado a la Veracruzana is delicious!
Thank you very much hope you try this recipe!
Wonderful combination of flavors!
Really flavorful! Hope you try this recipe.
This looks so good! Yummy. Can’t wait to try 🤤
Thank you very much hope you try this recipe
A beautiful dish full of wonderful flavour – my mother and I enjoyed this so much – thank you!
I think so too delicious glad you liked it
I haven’t had this flavorful fish dish in a long time. Thank you for reminding me how good it is.
Got this recipe from a lucky friend who lives in Guayabitos during the winter months. I love fish, and olives & capers…etc.
I wonder if I can replace the pickled jalapeños with fresh?
This recipe will warm up my winter dinners. Muchas gracias!
From Montreal – warming up to -15° from a few days of -25/30°.
Yes! You can add fresh jalapeños instead of the pickled ones. Just use less because the fresh stuff is more potent. Hope this Pescado a la Veracruzana, or Veracruz Style Fish, warms you up!
I had this fish dish in huatulco and it was so good I am going to try this recipe at home. Our tilapia comes from filthy polluted rivers. I would use cod.
Bringing vacation home! Hope you love it.
This looks so good! it’s been a while since the last time I ate fish cooked this way.
This is one of my favorite dishes for La Cuaresma fish covered in yummy tomato sauce is the best.
I think so too. Thank you! 🙂
I always have this during Lent. It’s the perfect recipe for Fridays!
Gracias amiga. Para la Cuaresma, esta receta es una de mis favoritas.
This looks so good! I’ve had a Veracruz style shrimp and loved it, I’m sure I would love this fish too!
Veracruz-Style Shrimp sounds delicious. You must try the fish. It’s just as good.
I don’t know why, but I always loved anything “a la veracruzana” and this fish is not exception!
I’m with you on the “a la Veracruzana.” You know you’re going to get something good.
I am always looking for a new fish recipe to try out. Trying to get the family to eat healthier. This looks so delicious and easy to prepare.
You’re going to love it, Candy. It’s delicious!