Tropical Brazilian Fish Stew with Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-10 · Updated 2026-06-10

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 drafted and published.

A vibrant fish stew simmered in creamy coconut milk and enriched with the unique flavor of dendê palm oil and fresh herbs. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs dendê (palm) oil, onion, thinly sliced, garlic cloves, minced 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

1.5 pounds firm white fish fillets (e.g. cod or snapper), cut into 2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons dendê (palm) oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
2 cups coconut milk
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
2 scallions, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup water

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Instructions

Step 1: Heat 3 tablespoons dendê palm oil in a large pot over medium heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add 1 large thinly sliced onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 medium sliced red bell pepper, sautéing for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in 2 diced medium tomatoes and cook for another 4 minutes until they begin to break down.
Step 4: Pour in 2 cups coconut milk and 1 cup water, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
Step 5: Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, then carefully add 1.5 pounds of firm white fish pieces.
Step 6: Cover and simmer gently for 8-10 minutes until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.
Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, and 2 chopped scallions for brightness.
Step 8: Serve immediately with white rice or crusty bread to soak up the flavorful broth.