Moqueca-Style Coconut Seafood Stew with Cilantro and Lime

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-02 · Updated 2026-05-02

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A fragrant Brazilian seafood stew simmered in coconut milk with fresh cilantro, lime, and bell peppers, delivering bright tropical flavors. This Brazilian recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs shrimp, coconut milk, red bell pepper 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Brazilian cuisine 350 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb, cut into 2-inch pieces white fish fillets (e.g., cod or snapper)
8 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
1 medium, thinly sliced red bell pepper
1 medium, thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
1 medium, sliced yellow onion
3, minced garlic cloves
1/2 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp dendê oil (or substitute olive oil)
to taste salt
to taste black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp dendê oil (or olive oil) in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium sliced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
Step 2: Stir in 1 medium thinly sliced red bell pepper and 1 medium thinly sliced yellow bell pepper, cooking for 3 more minutes until slightly softened.
Step 3: Pour in 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk, bring to a gentle simmer, then add 1 lb white fish pieces and 8 oz shrimp. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until seafood is cooked through and opaque.
Step 4: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 2 tbsp lime juice. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve immediately with rice or crusty bread.