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Tender wild cod is cooked in a rich Brazilian broth to create this bright and fragrant 20-minute Easy Brazilian Fish Stew (Moqueca). Pair the complex flavors with rice and bread for a delicious weeknight dinner!
Many people find cooking fish intimidating, especially when it’s featured in a flavorfully complex dish like a stew. It’s why I’ve spent years perfecting my 20-minute Easy Brazilian Fish Stew recipe!
Fresh wild cod is the star of this one-pan Brazilian fish stew (A.K.A. Moqueca). The white fish is simmered in a hearty tomato and coconut broth with fresh bell peppers and sour cream for a welcome tang. With its symphony of textures and flavors, moqueca is sure to please a crowd or work as a delicious go-to on busy weeknights.
Looking for a flavorful lunch option? You’ve come to the right place! Pack up your easy Brazilian fish stew during Sunday meal prep or keep the leftovers in the fridge for later. Serve each batch alongside homemade bread, cilantro lime brown rice, and Brazilian pinto beans for hearty and filling lunches.
What is moqueca?
Moqueca is a flavorful Brazilian seafood stew. The recipe begins with an easy and savory tomato broth, flavored with a handful of aromatics like onion, garlic, lime, and coriander. Afterward, seafood and some vegetables are cooked in the broth, transforming the one-pot recipe into a hearty and rich seafood stew.
I love making my moqueca with white fish, like cod, but halibut, catfish, or tilapia can also be used. I’ve even made a few versions with shrimp (moqueca de camarão) and salmon! If you’re looking to go all out, add fresh crab or even lobster into your stew.
The traditional Brazilian recipe is heavily influenced by Portuguese flavors and usually served with starchy sides like plantain, pirão (a paste made with cassava root), and rice.
Moqueca vs. cioppino
It can be easy to mistake moqueca for cioppino and vice versa. It’s true that these two stews have similar ingredients and textures; however, both have distinct flavor profiles. Moqueca has many traditional South American and Portuguese flavors while Cioppino features Italian flavors.
Like moqueca, cioppino is made with a variety of seafood, like crab, clams, scallops, squid, mussels, or fish. The broth is made from red wine and tomatoes with very few other vegetables or spices included.
How to make easy fish stew
Heat the oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan and saute the onion and garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
To your onion and garlic mixture, add the diced tomatoes, coconut milk, sour cream, and tomato paste. Give everything a good stir and allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes.
Next, add the sliced bell pepper and cod chunks to the stew. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes before covering your pan and leaving the fish to simmer. If your fish hasn’t been fully immersed in the broth, be sure to flip the pieces ¾ of the way through the cooking time.
When done simmering, ladle your stew into shallow bowls, garnish with fresh cilantro, serve, and enjoy!
Tips and substitutions
- Easily substitute the coconut milk by using extra sour cream, cow’s milk, or your favorite dairy-free milk.
- Make your fish stew dairy-free by omitting the sour cream or by using a dairy-free sour cream.
- For a lighter, protein-rich alternative, use plain Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
- The wild cod in this dish can be easily swapped out. Try using shrimp, haddock, catfish, or salmon instead!
Make this dish spicier or milder by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes. For a super-spicy broth, try using a full teaspoon of red pepper flakes. For a milder dish, omit the red pepper flakes.
Tips and substitutions
- Easily substitute the coconut milk by using extra sour cream, cow’s milk, or your favorite dairy-free milk.
- Make your fish stew dairy-free by omitting the sour cream or by using a dairy-free sour cream.
- For a lighter, protein-rich alternative, use plain Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream.
- The wild cod in this dish can be easily swapped out. Try using shrimp, haddock, catfish, or salmon instead!
- Make this dish spicier or milder by adjusting the amount of red pepper flakes. For a super-spicy broth, try using a full teaspoon of red pepper flakes. For a milder dish, omit the red pepper flakes.
What goes well with moqueca?
Showcase the bright and bold Brazilian flavors in this fish stew by serving it with a side of cilantro lime brown rice and Brazilian pinto beans. These traditional sides feature rich, smoky, citrusy, and tangy flavors that will perfectly complement the flavor profile of your stew.
Serve your hearty seafood stew cioppino style by pairing it with some toasted bread. I really like using a slice of my Irish Soda bread or my Instant Pot no knead artisan bread to soak up any remaining broth from the bottom of my bowl.
Looking for more comforting seafood recipes?
- Oven Baked Fish and Chips
- Mediterranean Salmon
- Baked Fish-in-Foil with Vegetables
- Sheet Pan Hawaiian Shrimp
- Instant Pot New England Clam Chowder
Easy 20-Minutes Fish Stew
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small white onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 1/2 lb wild cod
- 15 oz can diced tomato
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream (optional)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 whole red, green and yellow bell pepper, sliced in rounds
- 1 pinch sea salt and ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large skillet or cast iron. Add onion and garlic, cook until fragrant (3 minutes). Add diced tomatoes, stir. Proceed to add in coconut milk, sour cream (if using) and tomato paste. Give sauce a stir and allow it to cook for about 3 minutes.
- Add sliced pepper and cod chunks. Season wtih salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Cover and allow fish to simmer for 10-12 minutes. About 3/4 of the way carefully turn the cod, if the fish hasn't been fully immerse in the broth.
- When done, garnish with fresh cilantro and serve.
Is there a substitute for the coconut milk for those allergic to coconut?
Hi JoJo! I have never tried without coconut milk personally but I do know that two good (similar) substitutes for coconut milk is almond and cashew milk because they both have that similar nutty and creamy consistency. Hope this helps!
This stew is good but it needs a little more I will add potatoes or put it over some white rice next time. Also remember to season your fish liberally.
I used a 28 oz can of tomatoes, 1 cup of sour cream and a can of coconut milk. It came out a paler color than the nice orange in the picture – maybe it needed more tomato.
I added fish sauce because I usually make Thai food with coconut milk
Fish sauce sounds delicous! Not sure why yours didn’t have the orange color, only thing I can think of is the tomato sauce itself, different brand yield different results. Did it taste good?
The canned coconut milk is richer than the carton. The broth comes out more like a vodka sauce than a broth. I’d suggest using a 1:1 with water (or maybe a white wine) if using the canned coconut milk. My preference is for a broth so, while this recipe was very tasty and easy, I’ll be experimenting with it in the future. Thanks for posting
I made this tonight for dinner. I followed the recipe as is. My boyfriend and I loved it! We will be adding it to our rotation. Thank you for sharing this delicious recipe!
Joselyn, you are very welcome love. Thanks for visiting, hope you come back for more recipes!! xoxo
Did you use canned coconut milk, which is thicker and richer? Or do you use the kind in a carton? Thanks
Honestly I love BOTH, the canned coconut milk is definitely richer if you don’t mind the stronger taste but I actually used the carton coconut milk for this recipe. Both will work just fine! Personally, I think the canned option is better but that’s probably because I grew up eating it this way.
I used the canned and, while very good, the broth consistency was more like a creamy vodka sauce. My preference would be for a broth over a sauce. So, if using canned I would suggest mixing 1:1 with water or maybe white wine. The carton of coconut milk would make a less rich “broth” without diluting. All in all, excellent recipe. Thanks for submitting
Hi Rick! yes you can adjust the ingredients to have more broth. I honestly have done it both ways and love it just as much as a thicker sauce.
Hello!
Can I replace catfish for the cod?
Thanks!
Hi Ana! The best substitute for cod is actually haddock but you can try the catfish in this recipe.
Hello, i’m allergic to dairy. Can I substitute the cream cheese for something else?
Hi Natasha! There is no cream cheese required in this recipe. Either you were looking at something else or you mean sour cream? in this case you can try cooking it without the sour cream.
Do you think greek yogurt would work?
I have never tested with greek yogurt but as far as consistency it should work, just not sure about the taste. If you end up trying please let me know the outcome. Thanks!
I substituted sour cream with coconut milk and it was still delicious. I hope that helps you.
Thanks so much for your feedback Trisha. I often substitute for coconut milk too and it’s amazing! 🙂
Would stripe bass work do you think? My husband and I have a ton from our fishing trip
Yes, it will! But you might have to let it cook a bit longer. Check the inside of the fish once in a while to make sure it is cooked through.
Delicious, I doubled the recipe. Cooked as is
Nice!! So soooo happy you liked it! 🙂
The green pepper in the recipe, is that green bell pepper?
Yes! sorry, will add to the description 🙂
So is the total number of peppers in the recipe one? Is it green, red, OR yellow? Or all three?
I actually use 3 whole peppers, one for each color. But honestly it will not make a difference in the recipe if you use a total of 1 pepper, whether that is one color or a mix a colored peppers. If you love peppers (they do taste pretty great in the sauce), I’d recommend that you use more peppers, it also makes the dish look beautiful to serve. Hope this answers your question 🙂
Hi! What size sour cream did you take 1/2 from? I am located in Ga and could not find the Hood brand anywhere.
Hi Chelsea, I used a 1/2 cup of Hood sour cream and I usually buy the big tub 16oz. I did look it up for your and it doesn’t look like Hood is available in Georgia, unfortunately.
Hi this looks really good but I’m confused. People keep referencing sour cream yet I don’t see any sour cream in the ingredients list?
I’ve done both but in the updated recipe I removed the sour cream because I didn’t feel like it added much to the recipe. The tomatoes and coconut milk which are in the traditional recipe are enough along with the peppers and cilantro
Can I substitute salmon for the cod?
Absolutely! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
I don’t know but I’m actually going to try that myself. Why wouldn’t that be good?
Hi. This was delicious. I made this tonight and used evaporated milk instead of coconut milk because my daughter has allergies to coconut and it came out wonderful! This recipe is definitely a hit even with my hubby and my 11 year old. I even forgot to add the sour cream and we still all approved. I didn’t read far enough that is was good over rice so we had this with those Red Lobster rolls you can make at home. ( my daughter helped with those as I was getting the stew ready)! Thanks again a very nice family dinner
Thank you so much Crystal for your feedback, it made my day! I am so happy to hear that this was a hit with your family. It is a good feeling, isn’t it? I have four kids and I know how hard it is to please everyone so when I do, it feels awesome!
This is my go to reciepe for something quick and delicious. I have made it at least 4 times. I’m deciding to go pescatarian, so this will be a great staple meal for me.
That’s amazing Candace, good for you! My daughter who is 13 years old decided to be a pescatarian last year, it’s been about 8mo (I can’t believe how faithful she is to this diet!). I make this recipe often for her, for all of us really and it hits the spot every time. Thanks for trying it out, and also thanks for stopping by to share your feedback with me. Best luck if you decide to go pescatarian, and let me know how I can help you with that! hugs 🙂
Do you drain the tomatoes?
Hi Sue! No, I don’t drain my tomatoes because together with the coconut milk and sour cream, they make a wonderful sauce.
I made this tonight using unsweetened vanilla almond milk instead of coconut milk (because that is what I had in the refrigerator) and it was delicious. This is the first time I have prepared/eaten fish stew and I loved it. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for trying my recipe and string your feedback Crystal! Just so you know I recently published a similar recipe using salmon, so that might be something to try next 🙂
Has anyone tried freezing this? I typically batch cook to freeze in mason jars. I’m just not sure about the coconut milk when defrosted.
I have froze the sauce before but not the fish. There is never any left 🙂 but the sauce is delicious and I usually freeze it and it’s perfect!
Silvia , It is actually easy and very tasty, thank you!
Thanks so much Alyssa, I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Silvia, it looks perfect and tasty! Can’t wait to have this anytime of the day, love it!
That’s great to hear, thanks so much Olga!!
I have whiting fish. Can I use that?
Yes, but cooking times may be different. Keep a close eye!
Does Whole Cream Mill work in this?
yes it will!
Can we use frozen cod? Or any frozen white fish cut in chunk and cooked for a little longerr? Its hard here to get good fresh fish 🙁
You can use frozen fish, that not a problem. However, it will take a little bit longer to cook but if you use thin cuts, it really doesn’t take much time.
Super good, super easy! Loved it.
So happy to hear that you loved it my fish stew recipe!
I just started eating fish not crazy about it so I have been looking for ways to cook it and live it. This recipe did that for me! I substituted sour cream with Greek yogurt and added a TBS of Thai curry paste for a kick. Also added a TBS of Sofrito. It turned out so good I couldn’t even taste the fish. Glad I found your recipe this is a make again for sure!
Hi jen! This is wonderful to hear and I love that you added your own touch too 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share you feedback!
I swapped the cod with barramundi and was really happy with the result! It absorbed the flavor of the sauce a lot better and didn’t get mushy.
Awesome to hear, thanks Melissa!
Easy recipe, my family LOVES them! Will definitely be making again, thank you so much for the awesome recipe!
Wow!! Thank you so much for this fantastic recipe! I have never been a big fan of fish stew, and certainly never planned to make one myself, but my husband has been asking for it, and this recipe looked like a good one – simple, easy, no-fuss, and I had all the necessary ingredients (except sour cream, for which I substituted some plain Greek yogurt)… Boy am I glad I tried it! The only thing I added was some chopped Thai basil at the end. My husband loved it, my daughter said it was so tasty it brought tears to her eyes, and I am now an official lover of fish stew. I can’t thank you enough! This recipe is a keeper!
Well, this message brought tears to my eyes!! Thank you for taking the time to write your feedback and share your experience, that means a lot to me!
I love this recipe, but of course, I have to “change it” to add more veggies and had to find a way to lower the potassium (CKD diet) so I made a red pepper sauce (using a little cream and 1%milk combo) I’ve also used fresh crushed tomato but they must be pealed and then blanched for 2 hours to reduce the potassium.. I replaced the tomato sauce w the pepper sauce. Now I add your veggies but also 5 white mushrooms, 2 carrots and a 1/2 a small head of cauliflowers cut into florets 4-5 spears of asparagus.
Finally, I use 1/4 lb of cod/ 1/4 lbs. of Mahi Mahi 1/2 dozen Sea Scallops and a splash of wine.
It’s good, very very good! It yields 4 meals,
That’s awesome Tony, sounds like a feast!! Thanks for sharing your feedback!
I made this last night with snapper. It is 5 star restaurant-quality flavor. Exactly like the Tuscan fish stew I made for years but lost the recipe for. We dipped huge hunks of toasted rosemary bread saturated with butter
Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Just made this, followed the recipe exactly and we really enjoyed it, it’s now on our favourite recipes list. Will experiment by adding extra veg in future.
So good to know. Thanks for your feedback!
This might be my favorite recipe. It is so easy and fast to make, but it is so delicious. I’ve made it so many times for family and friends and everybody loves it. Sometimes I add bay leaves, fresh herbs and potatoes, but I usually just follow the recipe.