Pescado a la Ranchera (Baked Fish in Ranchera Sauce)
White fish fillets baked in a chunky ranchera sauce and finished with lime crema, ready in 30 minutes.
Made with Salsa ranchera and Lime crema (Mexican soured cream sauce). Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time30 min
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £1.76 a head
- Oven200°C (180°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 200°C (180°C fan). Brush a baking dish with the oil.
- 2
Season the cod with salt and the lime juice. Lay the fillets in the dish in a single layer.
- 3
Spoon your ready made salsa ranchera (see the base recipe) over and around the fish. Scatter over the sliced jalapeño.
- 4
Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until the fish flakes easily and is opaque all the way through.
16 min 40 s - 5
Drizzle with your ready made lime crema (see the base recipe), scatter over the coriander, and serve with rice or warm tortillas.
Tips
- Thicker fillets need the longer cooking time. Check with a knife that the centre flakes.
- Haddock, pollock or sea bass all work in place of cod.
- Warm the sauce first for more even cooking.
Storing and freezing
Best eaten fresh. Cool leftovers within 1 to 2 hours and keep in the fridge for 1 day. Reheat until steaming hot.
Questions
Can I use frozen fish?
Yes. Defrost it fully in the fridge overnight and pat it dry before baking.
Can I make it dairy free?
Yes. Leave off the lime crema and drizzle with olive oil and extra lime juice.
More made with salsa ranchera
Chiles Rellenos de Pastor (Baked Poblanos Stuffed with Pastor Pork)
GFEFNFCalabacitas con Puerco y Frijoles Refritos (Pork and Courgette Stew with Beans)
DFEFNFChuletas de Cerdo Rancheras (Ranch Style Pork Chops)
DFEFNFEnchiladas Rancheras de Queso (Cheese Enchiladas with Ranchera Sauce)
GFEFNFDouble 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.