Main Course · Latin American · Dinner ·

Vibrant Ecuadorian Encebollado with Cilantro-Lime Broth

Name: Vibrant Ecuadorian Encebollado with Cilantro-Lime Broth
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: Water, 1.5 liters; Fish heads, 2 large; Onion, 1, chopped; Celery stalk, 1, chopped; Garlic cloves, 3, minced; Fresh tuna, 500g, cut into cubes; Yucca, 500g, peeled and cubed; Red onion, 1 medium, thinly sliced; Tomatoes, 2, diced; Fresh cilantro, A handful, chopped; Cumin powder, 1 tsp; Annatto powder, 1 tsp (or turmeric); Salt, To taste; Pepper, To taste; Lemon or lime wedges; Fresh cilantro leaves; Avocado slices

This traditional Ecuadorian stew combines fresh fish with hearty yucca, enriched by a tangy cilantro-lime broth, making it perfect for any meal.

4.3(66 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·January 16, 2026

Vibrant Ecuadorian Encebollado with Cilantro-Lime Broth — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Broth

For the Stew

For the Seasoning

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 536 kcal
Protein: 45.45 g
Carbs: 49.78 g
Fat: 16.43 g
Fiber: 5.9 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 2143 kcal
Protein: 181.8 g
Carbs: 199.1 g
Fat: 65.7 g
Fiber: 23.6 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Water 1.5 liters	0	0	0	0	0
Fish heads 2 large	100	20	0	2	0
Onion 1, chopped	40	1	9	0	2
Celery stalk 1, chopped	6	0.3	1.5	0	1
Garlic cloves 3, minced	13	0.5	3	0	0
Fresh tuna 500g, cut into cubes	1100	150	0	50	0
Yucca 500g, peeled and cubed	655	5	155	1.5	8
Red onion 1 medium, thinly sliced	45	1	11	0	3
Tomatoes 2, diced	44	2	10	0.5	3
Fresh cilantro A handful, chopped	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Cumin powder 1 tsp	8	0.4	1	0.5	0.5
Annatto powder 1 tsp (or turmeric)	4	0.2	0.5	0.2	0.3
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Pepper To taste	2	0.1	0.4	0	0.2
Lemon or lime wedges	4	0.1	1.5	0	0.4
Fresh cilantro leaves	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.1
Avocado slices	120	1	6	11	5

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Broth

1
Combine ingredients
Combine water, fish heads, onion, celery, and garlic in a large pot.
2
Simmer
Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.
3
Strain
Strain the broth and set aside, discarding solids.

Preparing the Stew

1
Sauté onions
In another pot, heat some oil and sauté red onions until translucent.
2
Add tomatoes
Add diced tomatoes and cook until softened.
3
Combine and cook
Stir in the strained broth, yucca, tuna, and seasonings.
Tip: Ensure the yucca is tender before serving. Let the stew simmer slightly longer for deepened flavors.

How to Make Vibrant Ecuadorian Encebollado with Cilantro-Lime Broth

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Simmering the Stew
Allow the stew to simmer until the yucca and tuna are fully cooked.
2
Final Seasoning
Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
3
Finishing Touches
Add fresh cilantro before removing from heat.