Cocido Madrileño

c
@cocinero44

Let me share with you one of the most iconic recipes from Spain: Cocido Madrileño. Its main ingredient is chickpeas, accompanied by a variety of vegetables, meats, pork fat, and some sausages. This humble dish, like many great recipes, was originally consumed by the lower classes of Spain before making...

Cocido Madrileño recipe
Prep Time
30min
Cook Time
3hr 0min
Total Time
3hr 30min

Ingredients

4 Servings
(1 serving = A portion of soup and a plate of vegetables, chickpeas, meatballs, and meats)

Main Ingredients

  • beef shank
    beef shank
    700g
  • chicken
    chicken
    1/2lb
  • chickpeas
    chickpeas
    1000g
  • ham tip
    ham tip
    1can
  • ham bone
    ham bone
    1can
  • streaky pork fat
    streaky pork fat
    150g
  • cabbage
    cabbage
    1/2lb
  • carrots
    carrots
    6
  • medium potatoes
    medium potatoes
    5
  • onions
    onions
    2
  • cloves
    cloves
    2clove
  • Salt
    Salt
    1dash
  • chorizos
    chorizos
    3
  • blood sausages (morcillas de cebolla)
    blood sausages (morcillas de cebolla)
    2
  • beef bones with marrow
    beef bones with marrow
    2
  • beef knee bone
    beef knee bone
    1
  • Olive oil
    Olive oil
    1tbsp

For the Meatballs (Pelota)

  • ladle olive oil
    ladle olive oil
    1
  • eggs
    eggs
    2
  • slice bread
    slice bread
    4
  • parsley
    parsley
    1sprig
  • garlic cloves
    garlic cloves
    2clove
  • ladle flour
    ladle flour
    1

How to make Cocido Madrileño

Soaking the Chickpeas

  1. Step 1

    Soak the chickpeas in water the night before preparing the dish.

Preparing the Ingredients

  1. Step 1

    Clean the vegetables and set them aside. Peel the potatoes and leave them whole. Clean the beef, bones, blood sausages, and chorizos.

Cooking the Base

  1. Step 1

    In a large pot, place the beef, bones, ham, and ham bone. Add water and salt, and bring to a boil over high heat.

  2. Step 2

    After 30 minutes, skim off any foam that forms on the surface.

Adding Ingredients

  1. Step 1

    Add the chicken, chickpeas, and one onion with the cloves inserted into it. Cook for 1 hour.

Adding Vegetables and Sausages

  1. Step 1

    Lower the heat and add the vegetables, potatoes, and sausages (chorizo and blood sausage).

Preparing the Meatballs (Pelota)

  1. Step 1

    If the bread is fresh, remove the crust and crumble the interior with your fingers. If the bread is from the previous day, soak it in water or a bit of broth for 15 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Combine the bread crumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, eggs, salt, and pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated.

  3. Step 3

    Form small balls with the mixture. If using fresh bread crumbs, add a bit of broth to bind the mixture if necessary.

  4. Step 4

    Roll the balls in flour and fry them in olive oil until golden.

Final Cooking

  1. Step 1

    Add the meatballs to the pot during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they can simmer with the rest of the ingredients.

Serving

  1. Step 1

    Once the cooking is complete, strain the broth. Use it to prepare a soup with pasta as the first course.

  2. Step 2

    For the second course, serve the vegetables, chickpeas, meatballs, and meats.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories

1140.0kcal (57%)

Protein

92.5g (100%)

Carbs

62.5g (22.73%)

Sugars

7.5g (15%)

Healthy Fat

35.5g

Unhealthy Fat

17.5g

% Daily Value based on a 2000 calorie diet

Tips & Tricks

  1. Soak the chickpeas overnight to ensure they cook evenly and soften properly.

  2. Skim off the foam that forms during boiling to keep the broth clear and flavorful.

  3. Use fresh bread crumbs for the meatballs to achieve a better texture.

  4. Serve the broth as a soup with pasta for a complete meal experience.

  5. Add the meatballs during the last 30 minutes of cooking to avoid overcooking them.

FAQS

  1. Can I use canned chickpeas instead of dried ones?

    While dried chickpeas are traditional, you can use canned chickpeas to save time. However, the flavor and texture may differ slightly.

  2. What type of chorizo should I use?

    Use Spanish chorizo for authenticity, preferably a mild or slightly spicy variety.

  3. Can I make this recipe without blood sausage?

    Yes, you can omit the blood sausage if you prefer, but it adds a unique flavor to the dish.

  4. How do I store leftovers?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently to preserve the flavors.

  5. Can I freeze Cocido Madrileño?

    Yes, you can freeze the broth and solid ingredients separately for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.

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