Moqueca Baiana-Style Fish Stew with Coconut and Palm Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-05 · Updated 2026-06-05

A fragrant and colorful Brazilian seafood stew simmered in rich coconut milk and palm oil, layered with fresh peppers, tomatoes, and herbs. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs lime juice, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 2-inch pieces firm white fish fillets (such as cod or snapper)
• 3 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp dende (palm) oil
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large thinly sliced onion
• 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 3 medium chopped fresh tomatoes
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions

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Instructions

1. Step 1: In a bowl, toss 1.5 lbs firm white fish pieces with 3 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp dende (palm) oil and 2 tbsp olive oil together in a large pot over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced onion, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, and 1 thinly sliced yellow bell pepper. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Stir in 3 chopped medium fresh tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until they break down and create a sauce.
5. Step 5: Pour in 2 cups coconut milk, bring to a gentle simmer, and cook for 5 minutes to meld flavors.
6. Step 6: Gently add marinated fish pieces to the pot, cover, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until fish is opaque and cooked through.
7. Step 7: Stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1/4 cup chopped green onions just before serving. Adjust seasoning with salt if needed.