San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew
A rich Italian-American seafood stew simmered with tomatoes, herbs, and San Francisco Bay catch for a coastal classic. This italian-american-inspired seafood ready in about 55 minutes pairs tablespoons olive oil, medium, finely chopped onion, minced garlic 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
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium, finely chopped onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic
- 1, diced red bell pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 cups fish stock
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2, chopped plum tomatoes
- 2 cups, scrubbed and rinsed clams
- 2 cups, scrubbed and debearded mussels
- 8 oz, cut into 1-inch pieces salmon fillet
- 8 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons, chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 medium finely chopped onion and sauté for 5 minutes until golden and translucent.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 diced red bell pepper, and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant and vegetables are softened.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tablespoons tomato paste and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Step 4: Add 14 oz can diced tomatoes, 2 cups fish stock, 1/2 cup white wine, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 bay leaf, and 2 chopped plum tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to blend flavors.
- Step 5: Add 2 cups scrubbed clams, 2 cups scrubbed mussels, 8 oz cut salmon pieces, and 8 oz peeled shrimp. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes until clams and mussels open and shrimp turn pink.
- Step 6: Discard any unopened clams or mussels. Remove bay leaf and stir in 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Adjust seasoning if needed.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew?
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 San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew 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 San Francisco Cioppino Seafood Stew?
Italian-American 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★☆☆☆
Didn't come together the way I expected. Flavors were flat.