Moqueca-Inspired Seafood Stew with Coconut and Dendê Oil

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-17 · Updated 2026-05-17

A vibrant Brazilian seafood stew inspired by moqueca, featuring fresh fish and shrimp simmered in coconut milk, tomatoes, and fragrant dendê oil. This brazilian-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, medium yellow onion, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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 (e.g. cod or snapper), cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
• 2 medium (about 1.5 cups) tomatoes, chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp dendê oil (palm oil)
• 2 cups coconut milk (full-fat)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil and 3 tbsp dendê oil together in a large deep skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
2. Step 2: Add 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Stir in 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, 1 medium sliced yellow bell pepper, and 2 chopped medium tomatoes. Cook for 7 minutes until vegetables soften and release juices.
4. Step 4: Pour in 2 cups full-fat coconut milk, then add 1.5 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb white fish pieces and 1/2 lb peeled shrimp to the skillet. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until seafood is opaque and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 tbsp lime juice. Adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Step 7: Serve hot with white rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful sauce.