Grilled Brazilian Moqueca with Coconut and Dendê Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-24 · Updated 2026-06-24

A vibrant seafood stew from Brazil’s coastal regions, featuring tender fish simmered in a fragrant broth of coconut milk, dendê oil, and fresh vegetables. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs coconut milk, dendê oil (red palm oil), large tomato 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 (such as cod or snapper)
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 3 tbsp dendê oil (red palm oil)
• 1, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds large tomato
• 1, sliced into thin rings medium onion
• 1, sliced into thin strips green bell pepper
• 3, minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil

The grilling tools we’d reach for here → Best Grilling Tools and BBQ Gadgets for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 1 lb firm white fish fillets and season with 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsp lime juice. Set aside to marinate for 10 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil and 3 tbsp dendê oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
3. Step 3: Layer 1 sliced medium onion, 1 sliced green bell pepper, and 1 sliced large tomato in the skillet, cooking for 5 minutes until softened and aromatic.
4. Step 4: Gently place the marinated fish fillets over the vegetables. Pour 1 cup coconut milk evenly over the fish and vegetables. Cover and simmer over low heat for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro over the stew just before serving to add a bright herbal note.