Upper Peninsula Fisherman's Stew
A hearty seafood stew featuring local whitefish, potatoes, and wild blueberries, inspired by the rustic flavors of the Upper Peninsula. This northern michigan-inspired soups ready in about 70 minutes pairs whitefish fillets, diced potatoes, diced onions for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 260 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 1.5 lbs whitefish fillets
- 1.5 lbs, diced potatoes
- 1, diced onions
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup, fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tsp, fresh thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, sauté onions and garlic over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened.
- Step 2: Add diced potatoes, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, then pour in 4 cups chicken broth. Bring to a boil.
- Step 3: Add whitefish fillets, thyme, and bay leaves. Simmer for 15 minutes until fish is flaky. Stir in blueberries and cook for 5 minutes until warmed through.
- Step 4: Serve hot, garnished with fresh thyme.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Upper Peninsula Fisherman's Stew take to make?
Total time is about 70 minutes (30 min prep + 40 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 Upper Peninsula Fisherman's 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 whitefish fillets from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Upper Peninsula Fisherman's 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 Upper Peninsula Fisherman's Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Upper Peninsula Fisherman's Stew?
Northern Michigan soups 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
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 40-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
