Seafood · Brazilian · Stew ·

Brazilian Moqueca Baiana with Dendê Oil

Name: Brazilian Moqueca Baiana with Dendê Oil
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Seafood
Ingredients: White fish fillets, 500g, cut into chunks; Garlic cloves, minced, 2 cloves; Lime juice, Juice of 1 lime; Salt, 1 tsp; Black pepper, 1 tsp; Olive oil, 2 tbsp; Onion, thinly sliced, 1 large; Red bell pepper, julienned, 1; Yellow bell pepper, julienned, 1; Garlic cloves, minced, 3 cloves; Tomatoes, chopped, 2 large; Paprika, 1 tsp; Coconut milk, 400ml; Dendê oil (red palm oil), 3 tbsp; Fresh cilantro, chopped, 1/4 cup; Lime wedges, 1 lime

Moqueca Baiana is a traditional Brazilian fish stew featuring bold flavors from coconut milk, palm oil, and a mixture of fresh vegetables and spices.

4.3(505 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 18, 2025

Brazilian Moqueca Baiana with Dendê Oil — Seafood served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Marinade

For the Stew Base

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 476 kcal
Protein: 28.2 g
Carbs: 19.5 g
Fat: 35.5 g
Fiber: 4 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1902 kcal
Protein: 112.8 g
Carbs: 77.8 g
Fat: 141.9 g
Fiber: 15.9 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
White fish fillets 500g, cut into chunks	460	100	0	5	0
Garlic cloves, minced 2 cloves	9	0.4	2	0	0.1
Lime juice Juice of 1 lime	11	0.2	4	0.1	0.2
Salt 1 tsp	0	0	0	0	0
Black pepper 1 tsp	6	0.2	1.4	0.1	0.6
Olive oil 2 tbsp	238	0	0	27	0
Onion, thinly sliced 1 large	44	1.2	10	0.1	1.7
Red bell pepper, julienned 1	37	1.2	9	0.4	3
Yellow bell pepper, julienned 1	37	1.2	9	0.4	3
Garlic cloves, minced 3 cloves	14	0.6	3	0	0.2
Tomatoes, chopped 2 large	48	1.2	10	0.4	2
Paprika 1 tsp	6	0.3	1.2	0.3	0.8
Coconut milk 400ml	660	6	14	68	4
Dendê oil (red palm oil) 3 tbsp	360	0	0	40	0
Fresh cilantro, chopped 1/4 cup	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Lime wedges 1 lime	11	0.2	4	0.1	0.2

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Fish

1
Combine Ingredients
Combine fish chunks, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2
Toss to Coat
Toss well to coat the fish evenly.
3
Refrigerate
Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Tip: Do not over-marinate the fish to avoid overpowering the delicate flavor.

Preparing the Vegetables

1
Heat Oil
Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2
Sauté Onions
Add onions, and sauté until translucent.
3
Cook Vegetables
Stir in bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes, then cook until softened.
Tip: Use the freshest vegetables for the best results.

How to Make Brazilian Moqueca Baiana with Dendê Oil

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Building the Stew Base
Add paprika to the sautéed vegetables and stir until fragrant.
2
Incorporating Coconut Milk & Fish
Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a simmer, then gently lay the marinated fish into the pan.
3
Finishing Touches
Drizzle dendê oil over the stew, reduce heat, and let it cook until the fish is tender and cooked through.