This easy, creamy Fish Stew recipe, has a sweet creaminess that kids will love. Based on a Brazilian style recipe, it’s a really healthy, tasty way to eat more fish.
(Originally published on 15th August 2017 and updated 21st March 2019)
Please tell me it’s not just our family whose fish consumption is heavily based on fish and chips during seaside visits?!
I know. I’m a food blogger and all that jazz, but for some reason I have a bit of a mental block about putting fish on our weekly meal plans.
Did you know that the NHS recommend at least 2 portions a week?!
Sending you lovely readers my weekly meal plans by email has really made me think a bit more about what goes on to them. Nope, we definitely did not end up with beans on toast twice a week before I shared them with you. Nope. DEFINITELY not. (We did.)
I’ve sifted through my blog archives and thought I’d update and reshare some older recipes for inspiration. I forgot how surprisingly yum this Fish Stew recipe is.
Let’s consider the facts:
- It’s simple and quick to make.
- You can use frozen cod if you like = easy and good value for money.
- It’s really creamy from the coconut milk used and colourful, which means even my children love it (I did call it Traffic Light Soup because of the colour – I wonder if that helped?!)
- This fish stew has potatoes in so it’s a one pot meal (unless you like double carbs and add rice on the side as I do – CARBS 4 LYF).
- No super fancy schmancy ingredients but the different flavour combo takes dinner up a notch from the usual. (Plus, as this is based on a Brazilian recipe called Moqueca you can feel really fancy on a weeknight.)
What is in fish stew?
A stew is usually, some kind of protein and vegetables, cooked in broth or gravy on the hob.
This fish stew recipe uses cod, but you could substitute in other firm fish if you prefer. You could also add shellfish, (just be sure to not overcook, add just at the end of cooking).
This recipe is a family friendly take on the Brazilian fish stew called Moqueca. It uses paprika, tomatoes, peppers and coconut milk to give a delicious creamy tasty stew base.
It also include potatoes, making this a full meal in one pan – winner!
How do you make fish stew?
To make this Brazilian style Fish Stew recipe you start by frying off some of the vegetables with olive oil; garlic, onions, potatoes and peppers.
Then adding the flavourings; paprika and a touch of chilli, before putting in your cubes of cod, coconut milk and cherry tomatoes.
Cook away and then add limes and spring onion to serve. You can also sprinkle with coriander if you’re that way inclined. (I’m not but it always looks so pretty in the photos! Damn you evil coriander.)
Tips for making the Fish Stew recipe:
- Be sure to cut the potatoes into bitesized cubes otherwise they will take too long to cook and the fish will be overcooked.
- You can use tinned tomatoes rather than fresh, cherry tomatoes if it’s easier. The fresh tomatoes do give a lovely acidity but sometimes ease wins.
- This recipe for fish stew is also really low calorie at only 328 calories a portion if you don’t add any other side dishes, like rice. If you’re following the Slimming World plan, you can use Frylight instead of oil, and count the syns for the Coconut Milk.
- Omit the chilli if you like, although I find that a small pinch gives just a touch of warmth without offending my children.
I hope you enjoy the family friendly fish stew recipe if you try it home. Let me know if the covert ‘Traffic Light Soup’ technique works for you to get them eating!
Fancy some more simple fish recipes? How about my…
- Baked Cod An Italian style traybake.
- Sweet Potato Fish Pie with Salmon
- Easy Homemade Fish Fingers – a sure fire winner for the children!
- Smoked Haddock Risotto – a super simple one pot recipe.
- Baked Salmon Recipe
- Easy Fish Pie with Cheesy Mash – comfort food at its best!
I’d love to know how you got on and what you thought of it if you make this Fish Stew recipe. Please rate the recipe and leave me a comment below if you do.
Also, if you fancy showing me a photo by tagging me on Instagram (@tamingtwins), I LOVE to see your creations.
How to make the Family Friendly Fish Stew Recipe:

Fish Stew Recipe (Brazilian Mouqueca)
This easy, creamy Fish Stew recipe, has a sweet creaminess that kids will love. Based on a Brazilian style recipe, it's a really tasty way to eat more fish.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp Olive oil
- 2 Cloves Garlic peeled and crushed
- 1 Onion sliced
- 3 Large potatoes peeled and chopped into cubes
- 3 Peppers I used a mixture of red and yellow - chopped into chunks
- 2 tsp Paprika
- Sprinkling of dried chilli flakes
- 400 g Cod or other white fish - in chunks
- 400 ml Reduced fat coconut milk
- 100 g Cherry tomatoes halved
- Salt and pepper
- 2 Limes
- 2 Spring onions
- Coriander to garnish
Instructions
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Heat the oil in a pan and add the garlic and onion. Fry for 5 minutes or until soft.
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Add the potatoes, peppers, paprika and a sprinkling of chilli if using and cook for 10 minutes until softened.
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Gently add the cod pieces and pour over the coconut milk. Sprinkle the cherry tomatoes in. Add salt and pepper and pop the lid on and leave to bubble away for about 15 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and the potatoes are soft.
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Serve with wedges of lime, slices of spring onion and coriander.
Delicious
This looks amazing and we love seafood in our house. And as it’s a one pan dinner even better! Thanks so much for sharing. Will definitely be trying this.
Amazing! Just made this for supper tonight, and I want to make this again this week, it’s that yummy! I added green beans since I only had one pepper. So much broth at the final cook, and I removed a lot to reduce it and then returned to the pot. Don’t do this!!!! The broth is sooooo yummy, you’ll want to drink it from a cup! 😊
Thank you for such a quick and wonderfully tasty dish. Still snowing here in Algonquin Park in Ontario, Canada, so a warm and cozy meal it was!
Hi Tania, thanks so much for your message, so pleased you liked it!
This was fabulous! We used basa fillets, a can of diced tomatoes (instead of the cherry tomatoes) and threw in a courgette as well and it turned out beautifully. Rich in flavour without being too heavy. Adding some lime juice at the end also adds a bit of acidity and zing. Thanks so much! We will be making this a staple for dinner.