Baked Moqueca-Style Fish with Coconut and Dendê Oil

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant baked fish dish inspired by the Brazilian moqueca, featuring flaky white fish simmered in a sauce of coconut milk, tomatoes, peppers, and rich palm oil. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, pairs white fish fillets, coconut milk, dendê (palm) oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 400 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 1 cup coconut milk and 2 tbsp dendê (palm) oil until well combined.
  2. Step 2: In a baking dish, layer 1 sliced medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 diced medium tomato, 1 sliced medium red bell pepper, and 1 sliced medium yellow bell pepper evenly.
  3. Step 3: Place 4 white fish fillets (6 oz each) on top of the vegetables. Pour the coconut milk and palm oil mixture evenly over the fish and vegetables.
  4. Step 4: Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then drizzle 2 tbsp lime juice over everything.
  5. Step 5: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork and sauce is bubbling.
  6. Step 6: Remove from oven, sprinkle 1/2 cup chopped cilantro over the top, and serve hot with white rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Moqueca-Style Fish with Coconut and Dendê Oil take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Moqueca-Style Fish with Coconut and Dendê Oil?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Moqueca-Style Fish with Coconut and Dendê Oil?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Moqueca-Style Fish with Coconut and Dendê Oil for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Moqueca-Style Fish with Coconut and Dendê Oil?

Brazilian seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes