Huachinango al Estilo Veracruz (Veracruz Style Baked Fish with Olives)
Fish fillets baked in a rich tomato sauce with olives, capers and pickled jalapenos, the classic dish of Veracruz.
Made with Tortilla soup base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time40 min
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £3.36 a head
- Oven190°C (170°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Heat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan). Pour your ready made tortilla soup base (see the base recipe) into a wide pan with the bay leaves, olives, capers and jalapeno slices. Simmer for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
10 min - 2
Season the fish with salt and lime juice. Heat the oil in an ovenproof dish.
- 3
Lay the fish in the dish and spoon the sauce over the top.
- 4
Bake for 15 minutes, until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
15 min - 5
Serve with the boiled new potatoes.
Tips
- Add the olives and capers to the sauce, not the fish, so the flavour spreads evenly.
- Use thick fillets so they stay moist during baking.
- The salt in olives and capers means you may need little extra salt.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Keep in the fridge for 1 day and reheat gently until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
What fish is traditional?
Red snapper (huachinango) is classic. In the UK use sea bass, cod, hake or haddock.
Can I cook it on the hob?
Yes. Poach the fish in the sauce in a covered pan for 8 to 10 minutes.
Does it contain nuts?
No. It contains no nuts, but check the olive and caper jars if anyone has allergies.
More made with tortilla soup base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.