Brazilian-Style Moqueca with Coconut Milk and Cilantro

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

A vibrant Brazilian seafood stew simmered with coconut milk, fresh tomatoes, and aromatic cilantro, perfect for a comforting meal. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, coconut milk, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.

Ingredients

• 1 lb firm white fish fillets (e.g., cod or snapper)
• 8 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 medium fresh tomatoes, diced
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced onion, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 2 diced medium fresh tomatoes and cook for 4 minutes until they break down and become saucy.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup coconut milk and 1/2 cup water to the skillet, bring to a simmer.
4. Step 4: Season the broth with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, then add 1 lb firm white fish fillets cut into chunks and 8 oz peeled shrimp. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until the seafood is cooked through and opaque.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 tbsp lime juice for brightness. Serve hot with white rice or crusty bread.