Mediterranean Fish Stew 🍅🐟 Tomato-Rich, Herb-Bright, and Packed With Tender White Fish

Mediterranean Fish Stew is a warm, rustic dish built on a tomato-garlic base, infused with white wine, olives, fresh herbs, and flaky chunks of fish.

It’s briny and fragrant, light but hearty, and perfect for slow spooning on cool nights or summer suppers by the sea.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1½ lbs firm white fish (cod, halibut, snapper, or sea bass), cut into chunks
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 1 (14 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups seafood stock or water
• ½ cup pitted green or black olives, halved
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Chopped parsley or basil for garnish
• Optional: 1 anchovy fillet or a dash of fish sauce for umami depth

Instructions

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened, 4–5 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, paprika, and oregano. Stir until fragrant.

Step 2: Deglaze With Wine

Pour in white wine and scrape up any browned bits. Let it reduce for 2–3 minutes.

Step 3: Build the Broth

Add crushed tomatoes and seafood stock. Stir in olives and optional anchovy or fish sauce. Simmer gently for 10–15 minutes to deepen flavor.

Step 4: Add the Fish

Gently stir in fish pieces. Simmer uncovered for 5–7 minutes, or until fish is opaque and flakes easily with a spoon. Don’t stir too much — keep the fish chunky.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Ladle into bowls and top with fresh herbs. Serve hot with crusty bread, rice, or couscous.

Flavor Variations

• Add fennel bulb or leek for extra aromatic depth
• Use clams, shrimp, or mussels along with fish for a full seafood mix
• Stir in chickpeas or white beans for a heartier version
• Add orange zest or saffron threads for a Provençal twist

Serving Ideas

• With warm baguette or grilled sourdough
• Over herbed couscous or lemony orzo
• With a crisp green salad and vinaigrette
• As a starter course for a Mediterranean dinner menu

Pro Tips

• Use firm white fish that won’t fall apart in broth
• Don’t overcook the fish — add it at the very end
• Simmer gently — this is a stew, not a boil
• Leftovers deepen in flavor and reheat beautifully the next day

Final Thoughts

Mediterranean Fish Stew is rustic, layered, and soul-satisfying — tomato-rich broth, flaky fish, and briny olives working together in warm, herb-kissed harmony. It’s coastal comfort food, made simple and spoonable.

Simmer slow. Spoon deep. Dip crusty. 🍅🐟🫒

🦐 Explore More Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
🧀 Comforting Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, cheesy bakes with crab, shrimp, or scallops.
🥣 Warm and Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick and delicious mains like garlic butter tilapia.
🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light yet flavorful options like grilled mahi mahi with salsa.
🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy rice dishes with seared scallops and fresh veg.
🌊 Seafood Stews – Hearty, rustic stews from the Mediterranean and beyond.