Moqueca is a Brazilian coastal stew built around fresh seafood, coconut milk, peppers, tomatoes, and bright herbs.
The broth comes together quickly in one pot, while gentle simmering keeps the fish tender and the shrimp juicy.
Add the seafood in stages so the fish has time to cook without allowing the shrimp to turn rubbery.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with steamed white rice, lime wedges, and toasted farofa or crusty bread for spooning up the broth.
Recipe Notes
Moqueca is best the day it is made. Refrigerate leftovers for up to two days and reheat over low heat without boiling.
Brazilian Moqueca with Coconut and Seafood
A vibrant Brazilian coconut seafood stew with white fish, shrimp, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, and lime.
Equipment
- Heavy Dutch oven
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
- Wooden spoon
Ingredients
Seafood and marinade
- 1 1/2 lb firm white fish fillets cut into chunks
- 12 oz large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 tbsp fresh lime juice plus wedges for serving
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Stew
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp dendê oil palm oil
- 1 medium yellow onion sliced
- 1 medium red bell pepper sliced
- 2 medium tomatoes chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk full-fat
- 1 cup fish or vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
Instructions
Marinate the seafood:
- Toss the fish and shrimp with the lime juice and salt. Set aside while you prepare the stew base.
Make the broth:
- Heat the olive oil and dendê oil in a Dutch oven. Cook the onion and bell pepper until softened.
- Add the tomatoes and garlic and cook until juicy. Pour in the coconut milk and stock, then simmer for 10 minutes.
Cook the seafood:
- Gently add the fish to the simmering broth and cook for 5 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque, 4 to 5 minutes more.
- Fold in the cilantro, taste for seasoning, and serve immediately with rice and lime wedges.
Notes
- Use firm fish such as cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi so the pieces hold together.
- Do not boil the coconut broth once the seafood is added.
Nutrition
Calories: 430kcalCarbohydrates: 14gProtein: 42gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 175mgSodium: 760mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7g