Coconut Shrimp Vatapá with Spiced Bread and Peanuts
A creamy, vibrant Brazilian seafood dish blending shrimp with rich coconut milk, ground peanuts, and spices, served with toasted bread cubes to soak up the luscious sauce. This brazilian-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs peeled and deveined medium shrimp, crusts removed and cubed white bread, coconut milk 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
- 4 slices, crusts removed and cubed white bread
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1 medium, diced onion
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp, grated ginger
- 2 tbsp (optional) dried shrimp powder
- 1/2 cup ground peanuts
- 1 small, diced red bell pepper
- 2, thinly sliced scallions
- 3 tbsp dendê oil (palm oil) or substitute olive oil
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Soak 4 slices crustless white bread cubes in 1 cup of the 2 cups coconut milk for 10 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons dendê oil or olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium diced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon grated ginger, sautéing for 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
- Step 3: Add 1 small diced red bell pepper and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes until pink and just cooked through. Remove half the shrimp and set aside for garnish.
- Step 5: Transfer the bread and coconut milk mixture to a blender. Add the sautéed shrimp mixture, 1/2 cup ground peanuts, 2 tablespoons dried shrimp powder if using, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Blend until smooth and creamy.
- Step 6: Pour the blended mixture back into the skillet and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened to a stew-like consistency.
- Step 7: Add the reserved shrimp back into the skillet and gently stir in 2 sliced scallions.
- Step 8: Serve vatapá hot with extra toasted bread cubes or rice on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Coconut Shrimp Vatapá with Spiced Bread and Peanuts 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 Coconut Shrimp Vatapá with Spiced Bread and Peanuts?
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 coconut milk from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Coconut Shrimp Vatapá with Spiced Bread and Peanuts?
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 Coconut Shrimp Vatapá with Spiced Bread and Peanuts 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 Coconut Shrimp Vatapá with Spiced Bread and Peanuts?
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.
