Moqueca-Style Brazilian Fish Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-01 · Updated 2026-05-01

A fragrant and colorful Brazilian fish stew simmered in creamy coconut milk and infused with palm oil, tomatoes, and fresh herbs for a vibrant coastal flavor. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 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 (e.g., cod or snapper)
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 3 tbsp dendê oil (red palm oil)
• 1 large, thinly sliced onion
• 1 medium, thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 medium, thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
• 4, minced garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup, chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 2, sliced green onions
• for serving cooked white rice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Marinate 1.5 lbs firm white fish pieces in 2 tbsp lime juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper for 15 minutes while prepping vegetables.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp dendê oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 large thinly sliced onion, 1 thinly sliced red bell pepper, 1 thinly sliced yellow bell pepper, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 1/2 cups coconut milk, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, and 1/4 cup chopped parsley. Bring to gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Nestle marinated fish pieces into the sauce, cover, and cook for 10-12 minutes until fish flakes easily with a fork.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle 2 sliced green onions over the stew before serving. Serve hot with steamed white rice to soak up the rich, aromatic sauce.