Brussels-Style Smoked Haddock and Leek Stew
A comforting, creamy stew with flaky haddock, tender leeks, and a subtle smoky depth from smoked paprika. This belgian-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs skin removed smoked haddock fillets, medium, diced 1/2-inch potatoes, vegetable broth 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
- 12 oz, skin removed smoked haddock fillets
- 3 medium, white parts only, thinly sliced leeks
- 2 medium, diced 1/2-inch potatoes
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh dill
Instructions
- Step 1: Melt 1 tbsp butter in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté leeks and potatoes for 5 minutes until softened. Stir in 1 tsp smoked paprika and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 2: Whisk flour into the pot until no lumps remain, then gradually pour in vegetable broth while stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes until potatoes are tender.
- Step 3: Gently add haddock fillets to the pot, breaking them into large chunks with a spoon. Simmer for 5 minutes until fish is opaque and flakes easily.
- Step 4: Stir in heavy cream and remaining 1 tbsp butter until melted. Cook for 2 minutes until slightly thickened, then remove from heat. Stir in fresh dill before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Brussels-Style Smoked Haddock and Leek Stew take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Brussels-Style Smoked Haddock and Leek Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep vegetable broth from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Brussels-Style Smoked Haddock and Leek Stew?
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 Brussels-Style Smoked Haddock and Leek Stew 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 Brussels-Style Smoked Haddock and Leek Stew?
Belgian 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.