Coconut-Spiced Kenyan Fish Stew with Tomatoes and Coconut Milk

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-25 · Updated 2026-06-25

A comforting stew featuring fresh fish simmered in a fragrant sauce of tomatoes, coconut milk, and warm Kenyan spices. This African-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs white fish fillets (tilapia or snapper), coconut oil, onion 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

• 1.5 lbs, cut into chunks white fish fillets (tilapia or snapper)
• 3 tbsp coconut oil
• 1 large, finely chopped onion
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp, grated fresh ginger
• 3 large, diced fresh tomatoes
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp lime juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp coconut oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 large finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until soft and translucent.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 3 large diced fresh tomatoes, 1 tsp turmeric powder, 1 tsp coriander powder, 1 tsp cumin powder, 1/2 tsp red chili flakes, and 1.5 tsp salt. Cook the mixture for 8-10 minutes until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk and bring the stew to a gentle simmer.
5. Step 5: Add 1.5 lbs chunks of white fish fillets to the sauce, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1 tbsp lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro just before serving. Serve hot with steamed rice or ugali.