Moqueca Baiana
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Medium Effort · High Impact

Dinner Party · Brazilian

Moqueca Baiana

A signature Brazilian seafood stew featuring a rich coconut milk base, dendê oil, fresh tomatoes, and peppers.

25 min active
40 min total
4 servings
10 ingredients
home cook

Why This Works

The combination of dendê oil, coconut milk, and fresh aromatics creates a rich, flavorful broth that perfectly complements the seafood.

The Upgrade

Add a pinch of chili flakes or a finely chopped malagueta pepper along with the garlic for a touch of heat.

Chef's Secret

Michelin Technique

Use dendê oil sparingly; its potent flavor can easily overpower the dish. Its vibrant color is characteristic of authentic Moqueca Baiana.

Ingredients

Servings:

Total time including resting: 40 min

Directions

1

Season the fish and shrimp lightly with salt. Set aside.

2

Heat the dendê oil in a large, wide pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the sliced red onion and bell pepper.

3

Sauté the vegetables for 5-7 minutes until softened and slightly fragrant. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until aromatic.

7 min
4

Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for another 3-5 minutes until they begin to break down.

5 min
5

Pour in the coconut milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Season with salt to taste.

6

Gently add the fish pieces to the simmering liquid. Cook for 5-7 minutes, or until the fish is opaque and flakes easily.

7 min
7

Add the shrimp to the pot. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and cooked through. Be careful not to overcook.

3 min
8

Stir in most of the chopped cilantro. Ladle the moqueca into bowls, garnish with the remaining cilantro, and serve immediately with lime wedges.

Wine Pairing

🍷

Torrontés

White Wine

The BottleColomé Torrontés

The floral perfume and vibrant acidity of Torrontés cut through the rich, heavy coconut milk base. It adds a layer of aromatic complexity that elevates the seafood and dendê oil.

Nutrition per Serving

550

calories

40g

protein

25g

carbs

35g

fat

Make It a Complete Meal

Sides the kitchen recommends alongside this dish.

The kitchen is writing these recipes...

Member Reviews

How did it turn out?

4.0(1 review)

Rate this recipe

Tessa Byrne
Aug 29, 2026

Very approachable even for a beginner. Turned out great.

The Gold Fork

Michelin-star quality. Home effort. Every recipe is refined with the techniques of Michelin-star kitchens. Under 45 minutes active time, 10 ingredients or fewer.

The Promise

Under 45 min active time10 ingredients or fewerMichelin-star chef techniques

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