Spanish Picada Fish Fillets
Everyone has something that they can’t live without. When it comes to kitchen tools, I have a couple: my garlic press and stand mixer. Food, on the other hand, is my herb garden. Each spring, we plant 👩🌾👨🌾 our herbs, and a couple months later, I can enjoy their freshness.
Basil and parsley are on that list. These herbs enhance so many recipes. I use them a lot when cooking 👩🍳. I make my Basil Lemon Butter, Tabbouleh, Mango Pork Loin with Coconut Basil Sauce, Garlic Shrimp, Creamy Tomato Basil & Parmesan Soup, Chimichurri Sauce, Basil Mayo, Falafel Burgers, Caprese Skewers, and so on.
Another annual recipe I make is pesto. Of course, we all know how to make the traditional pesto with garlic 🧄, pine nuts, and cheese, but did you know that there are also other pesto recipes? On the website, I have 8 of them altogether.
One in particular is quite bold in flavor. Originating in the Catalonia region, this Spanish-style pesto is called Picada! It’s made without cheese 🧀, and parsley is used in lieu of basil. Years ago, I started using it a lot and came up with this beautiful recipe… Spanish Picada Fish Fillets!
This quick and easy recipe takes only 15 minutes ⏳ as long as your picada is already made ahead. It’s so tasty and very colorful! It’s another delicious way to not only enjoy this Spanish-style pesto but also to enhance your fish.
In the video 🎥, I used red snapper, but any other white fish will do. Making the sauce couldn’t be simpler than that. The picada and heavy cream are combined, warmed up, and then spooned right on the fillets… easy peasy!
Picada differs from regular pesto. It’s a dense paste made with fried bread 🍞, olive oil, garlic, parsley, and Vinagre de Jerez, which is a sherry vinegar from Spain that wraps it up so beautifully! There are also blanched almonds that go into the mixture. I season it with salt and pepper, but paprika can also be added.
These Spanish Picada Fish Fillets are one way to enjoy this paste. Picada can be added to stews, seafood hot pot 🦞, toppings for vegetable soups, lamb, pizza, and so on. Of course, spreading some on crostini is absolutely marvelous!
Do yourself a “flavor favor” and make these amazing Spanish Picada Fish Fillets. It’s a perfect recipe for any busy schedule, especially when time ⏰ is in short supply. After using this Spanish-style pesto, you might switch your basic pesto for it.
Bon Appétit! 🍽
Here are more delicious condiment recipes for you to try… 😀
– Greek Eggplant Dip • Melitzanosalata
– Homemade Horseradish
– Cherry Port Sauce
– Homemade Dijonnaise
– Thai Yellow Curry Paste
– Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
– Classic Guacamole
– Tartar Sauce
– Russian Dressing
and for even more condiment recipes 🥫, click on this link… Recipe Category • Condiments
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Spanish Picada Fish Fillets
Hover to scale
Ingredients
FISH
- 4 large fish fillets such as red snapper, cod, halibut, patted dry
- ground Himalayan pink salt, to taste
- freshly ground mixed peppercorns, to taste
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1/2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice tips & tricks
- 1/2 tsp. lemon zest
SAUCE
- 1/4 cup picada see Recipe
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp. diced pimento, for garnish
- 1 tbsp. fresh chopped parsley, for garnish tips & tricks
Directions
- Generously season fillets with salt and freshly ground mixed peppercorns; set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add butter and when it starts sizzling, place fillets, seasoned side down; season the top with salt and pepper.
- Grill them for 2 to 2 ½ minutes per side.
- Pour in lemon juice and add lemon zest. Gently stir and then remove from the heat.
- To make the sauce...In a saucepan over medium heat, add picada and heavy cream; stir until nicely blended.
- Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer or until just warm enough – don’t overheat it otherwise, it will separate.
- Remove from the heat and spoon the sauce over the fish fillets.
- Add diced pimento and sprinkle on chopped parsley. Serve immediately with rice and a couple lemon wedges.
Don't forget to rate and comment on this recipe!

It was a quick, easy and excellent dinner, keeping in mind that the picada was already made.
I made it with regular pesto (basil, pine nuts, oil, garlic, cheese) and I wish I’d taken some time to make the Spanish version. It was good but after reading many comments, I think I missed out on flavor. This coming fall, I’m making the other pestos.
Happily shocked with the results! It was a great recipe using Spanish pesto. Thank you Francine
You’re welcome, Jill 😉. It has nice flavor to it.
Love this recipe.
awesome recipe!!!
I started following you about three years ago and have probably tried over 50 of your recipes. You’ve never disappointed me. I was intrigued by your take on pesto and made not only this fish recipe but also your panini. Oh boy, they were a game changer. Now, I have no problem adding pesto to sauces, scrambled eggs, and even soups. You made me open my mind to cooking and adding more flavor to my food. The next step I have to take is to build confidence and make some of your desserts – I’m thinking cheesecake or pavlova for Thanksgiving. Zillion thank yous for all these incredible recipes you’ve been posting for years. xoxoxo
Aww, you’re so kind, I really appreciate it 🙏. David and I like the Italian Pesto Panini Sandwich. It’s messy but sooo tasty! Absolutely! It’s a great versatile condiment. When it comes to desserts, I’m sure you’ll be fine. The secret of both Pavlova and Cheesecake is to leave the oven door closed and allow them to cool off slowly until they reach room temperature. If you need any help, don’t hesitate to contact me via the form located at the bottom of the homepage. Enjoy the rest of your day, Nadia 🌞.
yummy!!!
Succulent! Thank you for sharing
It’s my pleasure, Quincy 😀. Have a fantastic day.
Back in July, I made California Panini Pesto; super delish! Last week, I made picasa to make this fish recipe. Another winner! What recipes do you have with the other pestos?
Hi Felicia 👋. Besides this Spanish Picada and the Italian Pesto Panini Sandwich, I have the Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Salad (Italian pesto), Artichoke Chicken Pizza (Greek pesto), Turkey Pasta Casserole (basic pesto), my Green Spaghetti (Moroccan pesto) coming up next year for St. Patrick’s Day, and Chilled Potato and Thai Pesto Soup scheduled for 2027. Enjoy your evening.
Tilapia has a bland and very mild flavor. By serving this sauce alongside, my family loved it!
What a beautiful recipe 💗
Thank you 😀. Just be careful with the sauce… keep it on medium-low otherwise it will separate. Have a nice evening, Suzanne 🌞
didn’t care for it!
Sorry to heat that you didn’t enjoy the recipe. Have a great day Dolly 🌞
My husband and daughter don’t really like fish. The sauce turned something they don’t like into “nom, nom, nom”. This is an excellent recipe for Good Friday. Thanks!
That’s fantastic! I’m happy they enjoyed it! Happy Easter 🐰 to you and yours.
I made it and it was delicious!
Thank you, Margo 😊! It’s a gorgeous sauce… so flavorful! Enjoy the rest of your day.
Mine didn’t come up like yours. My sauce separated. What did I do wrong?
Yes, the sauce is a little finicky! The heat can’t be too high otherwise the sauce separates. Medium-low is ideal. I hope it helps. Have a nice evening, Jeff 🌛.
Why are there only 5 stars? Your blog should have 10 !! It was incredibly tasty! Who knew pesto could taste so good! Merci miss Frankie.
You’re very welcome, Tony, and thank you for your kind comments 🙏. Have a wonderful day 🌞.
I made this today, and it was delicious! It was a nice way to elevated fish fillets!
I always make pesto every fall. I started making your pesto recipes. They’re fun because they bring another facet to regular pesto. So far, I made Moroccan, Asian, Mexican, and Picada, the Spanish one. This recipe was tasty but I think any of the other pestos could be used. Thank you Frankie.
Absolutely 😀! They’re interchangeable. Have a gorgeous day, Elenore.
light, flavorful, and quick & easy
Hi Frankie. My kids have never been crazy about pesto until I started making other recipes that you posted. They really liked this one in particular. I used it in salads, roasted vegetables and sandwiches. I never thought to make a creamy sauce with it. It was a success with the kiddos! Great job 🙂
Thank you, Cindy 😀. I’m happy your kids enjoyed the recipe! Have a nice afternoon.
Made for dinner last night and we LOVED it! We subscribed to your YouTube.
That’s fabulous… welcome to the Club, BobS 😀! This Spanish-style pesto is so tasty! Have a nice afternoon.
I made pesto every year and never heard of that one. It sounds tasty. Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome, Liza 😉! It’s simply amazing and a great sauce to use with other proteins. Enjoy the rest of your day 🌞.
it sounds very healthy and different. I might try it
You should! It has tons of flavor in it. Have a nice evening, EM 🌜.
looks good, have to start eating more fish
Thanks Robin 😊! I love fish 🐟 and try to eat it at least 3 times a month. Enjoy your week 🌞
😍 This is another amazing way to use up pesto. Thanks chef for sharing.
It’s my pleasure, Bee. I love 💖 pesto but don’t like the “same old stuff”. With different variations of this condiment, there are endless possibilities for using it. Have a lovely day 🌞.