Cazón en Adobo (Marinated Fried Dogfish)

In Andalusian cooking, cazón en adobo is a much-loved fried fish tapa, recognised for its sharp, aromatic marinade and crisp golden coating. Dogfish is traditional, though other firm white fish can be used, cut into bite-sized pieces and soaked briefly with sherry vinegar, garlic, sweet paprika, cumin and oregano. The vinegar gives the fish brightness while the spices add warmth and savoury depth; a light flour coating keeps the outside crisp without masking the fish. Served straight from the pan with lemon wedges, it works well as a starter, snack or informal dinner with salads, potatoes or other tapas-style dishes.
Cuisine style Spanish tapas
Flavor profile Tangy • Savoury • Gently smoky
Techniques Marinating • Frying
Key equipment Large frying pan • Tongs • Mixing bowl
Cooking style Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 1 hour

Why this recipe works

  • Bright, balanced marinade: Sherry vinegar sharpens the flavour of the fish while garlic, paprika, cumin and oregano add savoury depth.
  • Light, crisp coating: A thin flour coating fries quickly, giving the fish a golden exterior without making it heavy.
  • Fast cooking: The fish is cut into small pieces, so it marinates briefly and cooks in just a few minutes per side.

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Authenticity notes

  • Andalusian tapas style: Cazón en adobo is strongly associated with southern Spanish tapas bars, where it is typically served hot, crisp and simply finished with lemon.
  • White fish variation: Dogfish is traditional, but firm skinless white fish fillet works well when dogfish is unavailable.

Timing notes

  • Keep the marinade brief: A short marinade gives the fish flavour without letting the vinegar firm the texture too much.
  • Serve straight away: The coating is at its crispest immediately after frying, so bring the fish to the table as soon as the final batch is cooked.

Common mistakes

  • Do not crowd the pan: Fry in batches so the oil stays hot and the coating crisps rather than turning greasy.
  • Watch the oil heat: Medium-high heat should brown the flour quickly; if the fish darkens too fast, lower the heat slightly between batches.

Ingredient notes

  • Choose firm white fish: Use a skinless white fish that will hold its shape when cut into bite-sized pieces and turned in the pan.
  • Vinegar character: Sherry vinegar gives the most Spanish-style tang, while white wine vinegar offers a similar sharpness if needed.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Cut the white fish into bite-size pieces. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sherry vinegar, garlic, sweet paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, fine sea salt and black pepper. Add the fish and turn to coat well.
  2. Cover and leave to marinate for 20 minutes at cool room temperature, turning once halfway through. Meanwhile, cut the lemon into wedges for serving.
  3. Put the plain flour in a shallow bowl. Lift the fish from the marinade, letting excess drip off, then coat each piece lightly in the flour. Set the coated fish on a plate while you heat the oil.
  4. Heat the sunflower oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry the fish in batches for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until crisp and golden and the fish is opaque throughout. Use tongs to lift out and drain briefly before serving.
  5. Serve the cazón en adobo straight away with lemon wedges for squeezing over. If needed, keep the first batches warm in a low oven while you finish frying.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • Keep the oil at a steady medium-high heat so the coating turns golden quickly without soaking up oil; if it browns too fast, lower the heat slightly between batches.
  • Do not overcrowd the pan: frying in batches keeps the temperature up and helps the fish stay crisp.
  • If serving to pregnant people, young children, older adults, or anyone immunocompromised, make sure the fish is cooked until fully opaque and piping hot throughout.

Substitutions

  • Replace sherry vinegar with white wine vinegar for a similar sharpness.
  • Replace sunflower oil with vegetable oil for frying.
  • Replace dried oregano with dried thyme for a slightly different herbal note.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 2 days
  • Best eaten straight away while crisp. Cool leftovers quickly, refrigerate, and reheat on a baking tray in a 200°C (390°F) oven for 8 to 10 minutes until piping hot and re-crisped.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 3 servings
  • Total time: 50min (25min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: Spanish
  • Allergens:
    Fish Gluten Wheat
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