Seafood and Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A light, bright broth featuring fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables, finished with fresh citrus. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 ready in about 25 minutes pairs shrimp, halibut, bulb fennel for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 290 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: 10 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 290 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 12 oz shrimp and 12 oz halibut dry with paper towels. Dice 1 bulb fennel and 2 celery stalks into 1/4-inch pieces. Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a pot over medium heat. Sauté fennel and celery for 4 minutes until softened.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 cups seafood stock and 2 thinly sliced lemon halves (peel removed). Bring to a gentle simmer. Add shrimp and halibut, cooking for 6 minutes until seafood is opaque and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp fresh dill and 1 tbsp grated lemon zest. Remove from heat. Discard lemon halves and serve hot with extra dill for garnish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Seafood and Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (15 min prep + 10 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 Seafood and Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest?

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 shrimp from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Seafood and Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest?

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 Seafood and Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest 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 Seafood and Vegetable Broth with Lemon Zest?

Mediterranean whole30 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.

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