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    Home » Seafood Recipes » Fish Stew

    Fish Stew

    Last updated: Sep 6, 2023 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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    This wonderfully flavorful fish stew is one of my favorite ways to incorporate more fish into my diet.

    You can use whatever fish you like and have on hand - I like to mix cod and salmon. This easy recipe is ready in just 30 minutes!

    A fish stew presented in a white saucepan with a striped napkin and a serving spoon.

    This fish stew is incredibly flavorful. And although quite spicy, the heat does not overwhelm the dish. Instead, the seasonings allow the delicate flavor of the fish to shine through.

    It's a fun recipe to make because you can use whatever fish you like and enjoy. And if you're looking for more ways to incorporate fish into your diet, try these recipes for fish chowder, bacon-wrapped scallops, sole meunière, and smoked salmon mousse.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Fish Stew Instructions
    • Expert Tip
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storing Leftovers
    • More Fish Recipes
    • Recipe Card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this fish stew. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here are my comments about a few of the ingredients:

    • Olive oil: I love cooking with this delicious oil. But you can use avocado oil if you prefer an oil with a higher smoke point. Another tasty option is to use butter or ghee.
    • Minced garlic: Mince it yourself, or use the stuff that comes in a jar. If you're out of fresh garlic, use a teaspoon of garlic powder.
    • Spices: Paprika, cumin, coriander, and crushed red peppers.
    • Strained tomatoes: I recommend using the Pomi or Bionature brands, although you could simply use canned tomato sauce. See the detailed discussion below.
    • Fish: As mentioned above, I mix cod and salmon. But you can use whatever fish you like and enjoy.
    The ingredients needed to make a fish stew.

    Variations

    • You can use avocado oil, butter, or ghee instead of olive oil.
    • Substitute 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for minced fresh garlic.
    • Sometimes, I use smoked paprika in this recipe. I like the smoky flavor it adds.
    • ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper is a good substitute for crushed red peppers.
    • Instead of cod, you can use mahi mahi, haddock, or halibut.
    • Rainbow trout is a good substitute for salmon.
    • Sometimes, I substitute chopped fresh basil for parsley or cilantro.

    Fish Stew Instructions

    Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

    • You start by cooking garlic and spices in some olive oil. Cook briefly, just until fragrant. (Photos 1-2).
    • Whisk in tomato sauce and salt and bring the mixture to a boil. (Photo 3).
    • Add chunks of fish. Make sure to spoon the sauce on top of the fish. (Photos 4-5).
    • Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the fish is cooked through. This should take about 15 minutes. (Photo 6).
    A six-photo collage showing the steps for making a fish stew.

    Expert Tip

    While you can make this recipe with regular canned tomato sauce, I prefer to use strained tomatoes by one of two Italian brands - Pomi or Bionature. These tomatoes are smooth, flavorful, and sweet. A domestic US tomato sauce will be more acidic.

    Recipe FAQs

    What type of fish works best for a stew?

    It's best to use firm, white-fleshed fish that can hold its shape during cooking. Some options include mahi mahi, cod, halibut, haddock, and sea bass.

    In addition to white-fleshed fish, I like to add salmon or rainbow trout for variety.

    Can I use frozen fish?

    Yes, but not so frozen that you can't cut them into chunks. I like using partially frozen fish because it makes cutting them easier.

    So I defrost them the night before in the fridge, and by the time I'm ready to use them, they're just a bit frozen.

    Remember that after adding frozen fish, the stew will take slightly longer to come back to a boil.

    Should I remove the skin from the fish?

    You could, but it's unnecessary. As you can see in the video below, I used skinless cod and skin-on salmon. Both options are acceptable. This recipe won't make the skin crispy, but it will be delicious.

    Can I adjust the level of spiciness in the stew?

    Yes. If you like heat, you can increase the red pepper flakes - try adding a pinch at a time and see if you like it. If you don't like spicy food, you can omit the red pepper flakes or use just ¼ teaspoon.

    Serving Suggestions

    Obviously excellent with crusty bread, for us low carbers, this stew is thoroughly enjoyable when simply eaten with a spoon!

    It's also lovely with keto biscuits or thick buttered slices of almond flour bread.

    And yet another option is to serve this stew on top of cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or sauteed spinach.

    Storing Leftovers

    You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. Reheat them gently, covered (to prevent splatters), in the microwave at 50% power.

    A fish stew served in a white saucepan and topped with chopped parsley.

    More Fish Recipes

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      Fish Chowder
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    👩🏻‍🍳 I publish a new or updated recipe every month. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe today! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe Card

    Fish stew topped with chopped parsley.
    4.98 from 133 votes
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    Fish Stew Recipe

    This wonderfully flavorful fish stew is one of my favorite ways to incorporate more fish into my diet.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Mediterranean
    Servings: 3 servings
    Calories: 332kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw
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    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
    • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon coriander
    • ½ teaspoon crushed red peppers
    • 3 cups Pomi strained tomatoes or canned tomato sauce, no salt added
    • 2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt or 1 teaspoon of any other salt
    • 2 (6 oz) cod fillets cut into 2-inch chunks
    • 2 (6 oz) salmon fillets cut into 2-inch chunks
    • 2 tablespoons parsley chopped; or cilantro

    Instructions

    • Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and spices. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds.
    • Whisk in the tomato sauce and kosher salt. When the mixture starts to boil, add the fish pieces, spooning the sauce on top to cover them. Bring back to a gentle boil.
    • Cover (use heavy-duty foil if your skillet does not come with a lid), lower the heat to medium-low, and cook until the fish is cooked through, for about 15 minutes.
    • Garnish with parsley and serve.

    Video

    Notes

    • While you can make this recipe with regular canned tomato sauce, I prefer to use strained tomatoes by one of two Italian brands - Pomi or Bionature. These tomatoes are smooth, flavorful, and sweet. A domestic US tomato sauce will be more acidic.
    • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in an airtight container, for up to 3 days. Reheat them very gently, covered (to prevent splatters), in the microwave at 50% power.

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    Nutrition per Serving

    Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 678mg | Fiber: 4g
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    DisclaimersMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered DeLeeuw. It features real food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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