Vatapa Shrimp and Coconut Stew

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-07-31 · Updated 2026-07-31

A creamy, spicy shrimp stew from Brazil’s Northeast coast with coconut milk, peanuts, and bread blended into a velvety sauce. This Brazilian-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs shrimp, peeled and deveined, coconut milk, dried shrimp (optional), ground for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 2 tbsp dried shrimp (optional), ground
• 3 white bread slices, crusts removed and torn
• 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, ground
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, grated
• 2 tbsp dendê (palm) oil
• 1 red chili pepper, chopped (or 1 tsp chili flakes)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp salt
• 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 3 slices white bread (crusts removed) in 1 cup water for 5 minutes, then blend with 1/2 cup ground roasted peanuts until smooth and set aside.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp dendê oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 finely chopped medium onion, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp grated ginger, and 1 chopped red chili pepper, sautéing for 4-5 minutes until fragrant and softened.
3. Step 3: Stir in 2 cups coconut milk and 2 tbsp ground dried shrimp (if using), bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Step 4: Add the peanut and bread paste to the skillet, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens and becomes creamy, about 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp, cooking for 6-7 minutes until the shrimp are opaque and tender.
6. Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp lime juice and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Season with 1 tsp salt to taste. Serve warm with white rice or farofa.