Moqueca Bahiana Seafood Stew with Coconut Milk

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-22 · Updated 2026-06-22

A fragrant Brazilian seafood stew featuring fish and shrimp simmered in coconut milk, tomatoes, and dendê oil. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs large shrimp, lime juice, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 360 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, cut into chunks firm white fish fillets (e.g. cod or snapper)
• 1/2 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp dendê oil (red palm oil)
• 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow onion
• 1, thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 3 medium, chopped tomatoes
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1/2 cup water
• for serving cooked white rice

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Marinate 1 lb fish chunks and 1/2 lb peeled shrimp in 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper for 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp dendê oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 3 chopped medium tomatoes and cook for 5 more minutes until the mixture breaks down and forms a sauce.
4. Step 4: Pour in 1 1/2 cups coconut milk and 1/2 cup water, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
5. Step 5: Add the marinated fish and shrimp to the skillet, cover, and simmer gently for 10 minutes until seafood is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
6. Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot over cooked white rice.