Traditional Cocido Madrileño Classic

Featured in: One-Bowl Home Cooking

This traditional Spanish stew brings together tender beef, pork, chicken, and cured sausages with soaked chickpeas and hearty vegetables. Cooked slowly over hours, the dish is served in three stages: a flavorful broth with delicate noodles, followed by a plate of chickpeas and vegetables, and finally the sliced meats. Embrace the warmth of Madrid’s iconic cocido featuring layers of taste and texture, perfect for sharing and savoring slowly.

Updated on Thu, 27 Nov 2025 18:17:57 GMT
A steaming bowl of comforting Cocido Madrileño, a rich Spanish stew, ready to serve with bread. Save to Pinterest
A steaming bowl of comforting Cocido Madrileño, a rich Spanish stew, ready to serve with bread. | nibbro.com

A hearty Spanish stew served in three courses, featuring chickpeas, meats, vegetables, and noodles — a comforting and iconic dish from Madrid.

This traditional cocido madrileño recipe brings back memories of family gatherings where everyone enjoyed each course with delight.

Ingredients

  • Meats: 400 g beef shank, 300 g pork belly, 1 bone-in ham hock (approx. 300 g), 1 chorizo sausage (about 150 g) sliced, 1 morcilla (Spanish blood sausage, about 150 g) sliced, 1 chicken thigh (bone-in, skin-on)
  • Legumes: 400 g dried chickpeas soaked overnight
  • Vegetables: 2 large carrots peeled and cut into chunks, 1 large potato peeled and cut into chunks, 1 leek cleaned and cut into 2 pieces, 1 onion peeled and halved, 1/2 small cabbage cut into wedges
  • Soup & Noodles: 150 g fideos (short vermicelli noodles), 3 liters cold water, Salt to taste
  • Optional Seasonings: 2 cloves garlic peeled, Black peppercorns (6-8), 1 bay leaf

Instructions

Step 1:
Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas.
Step 2:
In a large stockpot, add beef shank, pork belly, ham hock, chicken, chickpeas, onion, leek, garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Cover with 3 liters cold water.
Step 3:
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim off any foam. Reduce to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 1 hour.
Step 4:
Add carrots, potato, and cabbage. Continue simmering for another 45 minutes.
Step 5:
Add chorizo and morcilla. Simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
Step 6:
Remove all meats, sausages, and vegetables with a slotted spoon. Set aside on a large platter in separate groups (meats, vegetables, chickpeas).
Step 7:
Strain the broth through a fine sieve. Return the broth to the pot.
Step 8:
Bring the broth to a boil and add the fideos. Cook for about 5-6 minutes, or until noodles are just tender.
Step 9:
Serve as follows First course Broth with noodles Second course Chickpeas and vegetables Third course Meats and sausages sliced and arranged
Savory Cocido Madrileño, a traditional Spanish stew, filled with meats and vegetables, simmered low and slow. Save to Pinterest
Savory Cocido Madrileño, a traditional Spanish stew, filled with meats and vegetables, simmered low and slow. | nibbro.com

Cocido is even better the next day as flavors meld into a richer taste, making family meals extra special.

Required Tools

Large stockpot, slotted spoon, fine mesh sieve, sharp knife, cutting board, ladle

Allergen Information

Contains Gluten (noodles), Eggs (if noodles contain eggs), Sulfites (in chorizo/morcilla), Pork. May contain Soy (in sausage), traces of nuts (cross-contamination). Always check sausage and noodle ingredients for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories 650 Total Fat 30 g Carbohydrates 50 g Protein 45 g per serving

Enjoy a hearty portion of Cocido Madrileño, featuring tender meats, chickpeas, and vermicelli noodles, perfect for dinner. Save to Pinterest
Enjoy a hearty portion of Cocido Madrileño, featuring tender meats, chickpeas, and vermicelli noodles, perfect for dinner. | nibbro.com

Enjoy this traditional Spanish stew that warms the heart and brings families together with every spoonful.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best way to soak the chickpeas?

Soak dried chickpeas overnight in plenty of water to ensure they soften evenly and reduce cooking time.

How can I tell when the meats are tender?

The meats are tender when they easily pull apart with a fork after simmering for the recommended time.

Can I substitute any ingredients to accommodate preferences?

Yes, for example, smoked paprika can replace chorizo for a different smoky flavor, and vegetables can be adjusted based on availability.

What type of noodles are traditionally used?

Short vermicelli fideos noodles are used, added to the clear broth and cooked until just tender.

How should the dish be served?

Serve in three courses: broth with noodles first, followed by chickpeas and vegetables, and finish with the assortment of meats and sausages.

Are there tips to enhance the flavor?

A drizzle of good olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt on the chickpeas before serving elevate the richness and depth of flavors.

Traditional Cocido Madrileño Classic

A comforting Spanish dish featuring chickpeas, assorted meats, vegetables, and noodles served in rich broth.

Prep Time
30 minutes
Cook Time
150 minutes
Total Duration
180 minutes
Created by Evan Brooks


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Spanish

Makes 6 Portions

Diet Preferences No Dairy

What You'll Need

Meats

01 14 oz beef shank
02 10.5 oz pork belly
03 10.5 oz bone-in ham hock
04 5.3 oz chorizo sausage, sliced
05 5.3 oz morcilla (blood sausage), sliced
06 1 bone-in chicken thigh with skin

Legumes

01 14 oz dried chickpeas, soaked overnight

Vegetables

01 2 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
02 1 large potato, peeled and cut into chunks
03 1 leek, cleaned and divided into 2 pieces
04 1 onion, peeled and halved
05 1/2 small cabbage, cut into wedges

Soup & Noodles

01 5.3 oz fideos (short vermicelli noodles)
02 12.7 cups cold water
03 Salt, to taste

Optional Seasonings

01 2 cloves garlic, peeled
02 6-8 black peppercorns
03 1 bay leaf

How-To Steps

Step 01

Prepare Chickpeas: Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas thoroughly.

Step 02

Combine Ingredients in Stockpot: In a large stockpot, add beef shank, pork belly, ham hock, chicken thigh, chickpeas, onion, leek, garlic cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Pour in 12.7 cups of cold water.

Step 03

Initial Simmering: Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Skim off any foam that appears. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 1 hour.

Step 04

Add Root Vegetables and Cabbage: Incorporate carrots, potato, and cabbage into the pot. Continue simmering, covered, for an additional 45 minutes.

Step 05

Add Sausages and Continue Cooking: Add sliced chorizo and morcilla to the stockpot. Simmer uncovered for 30 more minutes.

Step 06

Separate Components: Using a slotted spoon, remove all meats, sausages, and vegetables from the pot. Arrange each group separately on a large serving platter.

Step 07

Strain Broth: Strain the cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve to clarify the broth. Return the broth to the stockpot.

Step 08

Cook Noodles in Broth: Bring the clear broth to a boil again. Add fideos noodles and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, until just tender.

Step 09

Serve in Three Courses: Serve sequentially: first, broth with noodles; second, chickpeas and vegetables; third, sliced meats and sausages arranged on a platter.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large stockpot
  • Slotted spoon
  • Fine mesh sieve
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Ladle

Allergy Info

For allergen concerns, review each food item and check with your healthcare provider.
  • Contains gluten and pork; possible traces of soy, eggs, sulfites, and nuts.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutritional values are for reference and aren't a substitute for professional health guidance.
  • Kcal: 650
  • Fats: 30 g
  • Carbohydrates: 50 g
  • Proteins: 45 g