Moqueca Baiana Shrimp Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil
A vibrant Brazilian seafood stew from Bahia, simmered with shrimp, coconut milk, tomatoes, and the distinctive flavor of dendê (palm) oil. This brazilian-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp, tablespoons lime juice, teaspoon salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 pound, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons dendê oil (red palm oil)
- 1 medium, sliced into rings yellow onion
- 1 medium, sliced into strips red bell pepper
- 1 medium, sliced into strips green bell pepper
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 3 medium, chopped ripe tomatoes
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 2, chopped scallions
- for serving cooked white rice
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 pound large shrimp and toss with 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and 3 tablespoons dendê oil in a large skillet or clay pot over medium heat. Add 1 medium sliced yellow onion, 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, and 1 medium sliced green bell pepper. Sauté for 5 minutes until vegetables soften.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 3 chopped ripe tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for another 5 minutes until tomatoes break down and the mixture is fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour in 1 cup coconut milk, stir to combine, and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Step 5: Add the marinated shrimp to the pot, cover, and cook for 5-6 minutes until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Step 6: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 chopped scallions. Adjust seasoning with more salt if needed.
- Step 7: Serve the moqueca hot over cooked white rice, spooning the rich sauce over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Moqueca Baiana Shrimp Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (20 min prep + 20 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 Moqueca Baiana Shrimp Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil?
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 tablespoons lime juice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Moqueca Baiana Shrimp Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil?
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 Moqueca Baiana Shrimp Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil 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 Moqueca Baiana Shrimp Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil?
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.
