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Encebollado
Put the thinly sliced red onion in a bowl with half the lime juice and a pinch of salt. Rub it in with your fingers and leave it to soften and turn pink while you cook.
Questions about this dish
Answers taken from this dish's times, amounts, swaps and tips.
How long does Encebollado take?
1 hr all in — 20 min prep, 40 min cook. Cook and rest follow the method. Leftover storage and optional extra waits are not included.
How many does it serve?
The recipe is written for 4 bowls. Scale the ingredient list on the page if you are cooking for a different number.
How hard is it?
Easy.
How spicy is it?
Mild.
What allergens should I watch?
This recipe is labelled for Fish. Labels are informational — check the packets in your kitchen. This is not medical advice.
Does it fit a diet?
The published recipe is labelled Pescatarian, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Nut-free.
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What does it cost to cook?
A bit special — about $16–28 USD, as a grocery budget for this recipe, not a restaurant price.
What equipment do I need?
Stockpot, Chef's knife, Mixing bowl.
How much salt do I put in?
The recipe lists Salt at 2 tsp.
What can I use instead?
Fresh tuna → Firm white fish such as mahi-mahi or cod. Common on the coast when albacore is scarce. Poach it a minute or two less.
What should I watch for?
Boiling the tuna hard makes it dry and woolly. Keep the broth at a shiver.
Any tips from this recipe?
Buy the tuna the day you cook it, from a counter, not a tin. Tinned tuna makes a different and much sadder soup. Chifles are green plantain sliced paper-thin and fried in oil at 180°C until pale gold, then salted. They take ten minutes and are worth it.
Can I use an air fryer?
This method is not written for an air fryer. The core technique on the page still applies.