Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) is an easy, light, colorful and super-flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight or date night!
Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) is the way to add tons of flavor to your next meal!
What does Veracruz style mean?
Pescado A La Veracruzana means fish prepared in the Veracruz style which is simply with a tomato sauce and olives and capers. Veracruz was one of the first places the Spanish settled in Mexico so this classic dish also has a healthy, Mediterranean flair! Most of the recipes for this classic dish also include golden raisins and pickled or fresh jalapenos for even more flavor.
Veracruz-style fish is typically made with crushed tomatoes so it tends to be a very “saucy” dish. I changed it up here for something lighter and to allow the taste of the fish to shine through.
Which fish can be used for Baked Veracruz-Style Fish?
Almost any white fish can be used in this dish. I used barramundi but you can use:
- Tilapia
- Red snapper
- Halibut
- Cod
- Flounder
- Catfish
How to make Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana):
You’ll love the simplicity of Baked Veracruz-Style Fish! Because it’s so easy, I didn’t photograph every step. Simply:
- Cook the onion in a small amount of oil.
- Add the tomatoes and toss around until they blister and begin to soften.
- Add the other ingredients: Garlic, pickled jalapenos, olives, capers, golden raisins, some Mexican oregano…..
- Place the fish in a baking dish then pour every last drop of the tomato sauce over the fish and bake!
Super simple and so flavorful!
Now, you could be resisting the raisins. Am I right? I am with you because I’m so not a raisin person.
However, when I finished cooking the sauce and with all the other acidic elements here like the olives, capers and tomatoes, I craved another dimension of flavor. The little pop of sweet that the golden raisins deliver balanced all the flavors perfectly! Trust me on the raisins!
,
Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana)! Perfect for a weeknight or date night dinner!
For more wonderful fish recipes, be sure to try my:
Baked Fish with Cherry Tomato Olive Sauce + Lemon Chive Asiago Orzo
Baked Fish with Cherry Tomato-Olive Sauce and Lemon Chive Asiago Orzo makes an easy springtime dinner for two that rocks with flavor!
Baked Catfish Pecan Meuniere with Spicy Sauteed Greens
Baked Catfish Pecan Meuniere is my healthy interpretation of the Palace Cafe classic. Spicy Sauteed Greens make the perfect side dish!
Mediterranean Fish en Papillote
Mediterranean Fish en Papillote has all the classic flavors of that sunny region with tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, olive oil, wine and lemon–all wrapped up in parchment paper parcels!
Pistachio Crusted Fish with Lemon Dill Aioli
Pistachio Crusted Fish with Lemon Dill Aioli is an easy restaurant-quality meal that's perfect for date night and it's ready in 30 minutes!
Curried Chickpea Encrusted Fish with Jalapeno Lime Tartar Sauce
Curried Chickpea Encrusted Fish with Jalapeno Lime Tartar Sauce is the perfect crunchy nut-free topping! Roasted chickpeas make a great crispy, crunchy topping everyone can enjoy!
Asian Vegetable and Noodle Broth Bowls with Pan Seared Fish
Asian Vegetable Noodle Broth Bowls with Pan Seared Fish are satisfying, healthful, light and versatile and a delicious dinner for two!
Thai Salmon Cakes with Basil Lime Mayonnaise
Thai Salmon Cakes with Basil Lime Mayonnaise is a combination of two of summer's best--healthful salmon and fresh basil! They're easy to make and freeze great!
Halibut Ceviche with Mango and Avocado
Halibut Ceviche with Mango and Avocado is light, tangy and refreshing! It's the perfect summer appetizer or light entree that's sophisticated yet so easy to make!
Seared Salmon with Baby Kale Quinotto and Warm Roasted Cherry Tomato Salad
Seared Salmon with Baby Kale Quinotto and Warm Roasted Cherry Tomato Salad is a beautiful restaurant-style dish that's "better-for-you" all the way around. Perfect for a casual dinner for two yet elegant enough for guests!
Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils
Indian Spiced Sea Bass with Braised Red Lentils is a healthful way to spice up a winter night!
Helpful tools and equipment to make Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) (Affiliate Links):
Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana)
Baked Veracruz-Style Fish (Pescado A La Veracruzana) is an easy, light, colorful and super-flavorful dish perfect for a weeknight or date night!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for baking dish
- 1/4 medium onion, finely chopped (approximately 1/2 cup)
- 2 heaping cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup green olives, halved or sliced if large
- 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapenos plus 1 tablespoon liquid from the jar
- 1 heaping tablespoon golden raisins
- 1 tablespoon drained capers
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano, preferably Mexican
- salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 white fish fillets (tilapia, barramundi, cod, red snapper)
- Cilantro sprigs, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly oil a baking dish large enough to hold your fish and evenly distributed sauce. Set aside.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in a skillet or saute pan. Add the onion.
- Reduce heat to medium and cook the onion for 4-5 minutes or until beginning to soften.
- Add the cherry tomatoes. Cook 4-5 minutes or until the tomatoes are beginning to blister and soften.
- Add the garlic, green olives, pickled jalapenos plus liquid from the jar, raisins, capers, oregano and salt and black pepper, to taste. Cook 1 minute to heat through. Let cool 5-10 minutes.
- Season fish fillets with salt and black pepper on both sides, then place in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the sauce over the fish fillets.
- Bake 15-20 minutes or until fish easily flakes with a fork.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 468 Total Fat 20g Saturated Fat 3g Trans Fat 0g Unsaturated Fat 16g Cholesterol 149mg Sodium 999mg Carbohydrates 36g Net Carbohydrates 0g Fiber 6g Sugar 23g Sugar Alcohols 0g Protein 41g
Pam Greer says
This is my kind of dinner! I absolutely love all the flavors in it and you’re right the raisins do add just that extra something to it!
Carol says
Thanks, Pam! It was surprising what a difference the raisins made. I thought they might be a detriment but they were just the pop this recipe needed. Thanks again!