The wild cod is cooked in a rich coconut and tomato broth to create this bright and fragrant Brazilian fish stew also known as Moqueca de Peixe. This fish stew recipe is perfect for a cozy, flavor-packed dinner that feels like a mini escape to the coast of Bahia!
Fresh wild cod is the star of this one-pan Brazilian fish stew. The white fish is simmered in a hearty tomato and coconut broth with fresh bell peppers and coconut milk or sour cream for a welcoming 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.
This moqueca de peixe is a hearty fish dish that is super simple to make. You will love the vibrant colors and fragrant broth to warm up on a cold night, but you can also enjoy in the summertime with a splash of fresh lemon juice.
What is moqueca de peixe?
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.
Recipe instructions
1 – Heat the oil in a large skillet or cast iron pan and sauté the onion and garlic. Cook until the onions are translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
2 – 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.
3 – 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.
4 – 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.
What goes well with moqueca?
The complex flavors of this Stewed Fish stew pairs well with a simple rice recipe , mashed potatoes or a side of green salad. But most importantly be sure to serve with some crusty bread to absorb that delicious sauce!
Looking for more comforting seafood recipes?
- Oven Baked Fish and Chips if you love fish and chips but want to avoid fried foods, then this oven baked fish and chips recipe if for you.
- Mediterranean Salmon simple with mediterranean flavors and wholesome delicious.
- Baked Fish-in-Foil with Vegetables we love this innovative recipe, each person gets a fish packet with cod and veggies! It’s fun, easy and mess free!
- Sheet Pan Hawaiian Shrimp speaking of fun, this sheet pan shrimp with pineapple and peppers is a delight and must try on a summer night!
- Instant Pot New England Clam Chowder a classic, made it easy in the instant pot.
Fish Stew Recipe (Moqueca de Peixe)
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.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This is delicious! I had some cod that I bought for a different recipe that I had tried and did not like. I obviously didn’t want my cod to go to waste so searched for a cod stew recipe and have this a try. Very easy to make and I had all ingredients on hand except the coconut milk. I made a few small changes only to my own taste preference. I used a small amount of coconut milk (don’t like the strong flavor) but also used chicken broth. I added a few more spices..tumeric, paprika, cumin and lots of extra garlic. I am pleasantly surprised how delicious this is. Definitely recommend.
That’s wonderful to hear, thanks for trying my cod stew Monica and for taking the time to share your feedback! xoxo
Quick, easy and sooooo delicious. Thank you for sharing such a great recipe.
You are so welcome! and thanks for trying my recipe and for the Wonderfull feedback Karen!
I can not get “Calories”, please help me!
Hi ling, sorry about that. You should be able to get the calories and all nutritional information now. Thanks!
This Easy 20-Minutes Fish Stew is perfect for a quick, nutritious meal! I love how it’s packed with lean protein and healthy omega-3s. A tip: try adding fresh herbs like parsley for extra flavor, or a splash of coconut milk for a creamy twist. Pair it with crusty bread or rice to soak up all the delicious broth. Can’t wait to try this!
This Easy 20-Minutes Fish Stew sounds amazing! Perfect for busy nights when you need something quick but still healthy.https://quickhealthymealstoday.com/ A great tip is to finish it with a squeeze of lemon juice for a bright, fresh flavor. Pairing it with some warm bread would make it even better. Definitely adding this to my weekly menu!
Cooked it for the first time,straight forward to follow the recipe quick and perfect for a Saturday evening ,very very nice
That’s amazing, so happy to hear Kevin!!
This was a wonderful, easy and delicious meal. It was quick to put together and we’re looking forward to the leftovers!! Thank you!! 😌
Amazing! Happy to hear 🙂
Delicious, quick and easy! I’ve made this recipe many times. I’ve also experimented by adding a bit of diced chorizo or linguisa or monk tail fish.
That’s so great, love that you have been enjoying my Brazilian Fish Stew recipe and making it your own. That’s fantastic!!
I made it today with Cod and everyone said that it was delicious. I’ll definitely be making it again. Next time I’ll take a picture. Thanks for sharing.
That’s great, happy to hear Hilda! and thanks for taking the time to share you feedback with us! 🙂
This surprised me! Very very good! I used what I had, so only one green bell pepper, lite coconut milk (I used about half a can), added about 3/4 cup vegetable broth. Only had a can fire roasted tomatoes. It was the perfect “brothiness”, I served alongside coconut jasmine rice and a side salad. Wished I had cilantro to top it but did top with green onions. I would make this again!
Thanks for your feedback Rose and I am so glad you liked my brazilian fish stew recipe 🙂 I appreciate you trying it