Vatapá Brazilian Shrimp Stew with Coconut and Palm Oil

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-19 · Updated 2026-05-19

A rich and aromatic Brazilian stew combining shrimp with a creamy coconut and palm oil base infused with ginger, cilantro, and spices. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, coconut milk, dried shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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 shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp dried shrimp
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 3 tbsp palm oil (dendê oil)
• 2 slices white bread, crust removed and torn
• 2 tbsp peanut butter
• 1 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup water

The Dutch oven we’d braise this in → Best Dutch Ovens for 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Soak 2 tbsp dried shrimp in 1 cup warm water for 15 minutes, then blend with 2 slices torn white bread and 2 tbsp peanut butter into a smooth paste.
2. Step 2: Heat 3 tbsp palm oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add 1 chopped medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp grated ginger, sautéing for 4 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Step 3: Add 1 chopped red bell pepper and cook for another 3 minutes until soft.
4. Step 4: Stir in the shrimp-bread-peanut paste, 1 cup coconut milk, and the 1 cup soaking water. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper, cooking for 5 minutes until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro and 1 tbsp lime juice. Serve hot with rice or farofa.