Coconut Braised Ecuadorian Fish with Cilantro

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-10 · Updated 2026-07-10

Tender white fish braised in a fragrant coconut milk sauce with fresh herbs and mild spices, inspired by Ecuadorian Pescado Encocado. This Latin American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs coconut milk, onion, garlic cloves 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 white fish fillets (e.g. cod or tilapia)
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 medium, finely chopped onion
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 small, diced green bell pepper
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup water

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Add 1 small diced green bell pepper and continue cooking for 2 minutes until slightly tender.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1 1/2 cups of coconut milk and 1/2 cup water, stirring gently. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
4. Step 4: Season the sauce with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then add 1 pound of white fish fillets, nestling them into the coconut sauce.
5. Step 5: Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving, spooning the sauce over the fish for a fragrant, creamy finish.