Seafood Moqueca with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-03 · Updated 2026-07-03

A fragrant Brazilian fish stew featuring fresh seafood simmered in coconut milk and vibrant dendê oil, infused with tomatoes, peppers, and cilantro. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, dendê oil (red palm oil), coconut milk 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), cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 3 tbsp dendê oil (red palm oil)
• 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
• 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp dendê oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add 1 medium thinly sliced yellow onion and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
2. Step 2: Stir in 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, 1 medium sliced green bell pepper, and 2 chopped ripe tomatoes. Cook for 6-7 minutes until vegetables soften and liquids release.
3. Step 3: Pour in 1 1/2 cups coconut milk, then add 1 tsp black pepper and 1 1/2 tsp salt. Bring to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Add 1 lb firm white fish pieces and 1/2 lb peeled shrimp to the skillet. Cover and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until seafood is opaque and cooked through.
5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp fresh lime juice and 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro to brighten the flavors before serving.