Spicy Thai Seafood Stew 🦐🌶🥥 Bold Coconut-Curry Broth, Juicy Seafood, and Bright Lime-Herb Heat in Every Spoonful

ByKarl S

This stew is comfort with firepower — a red curry coconut base layered with lemongrass, garlic, and ginger, simmered until aromatic, then loaded with shrimp, mussels, and flaky fish. It’s spicy, tangy, creamy, and totally addictive.

Perfect for chilly nights, flavor-forward cravings, or when you want something hearty without the heaviness.

Ingredients (Serves 4)

Seafood (about 1½–2 lbs total)

  • ½ lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • ½ lb mussels or clams, cleaned
  • ½ lb firm white fish (cod, halibut, or snapper), cut into chunks
  • Optional: squid, scallops, or crab

Stew base

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil or neutral oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 stalk lemongrass, smashed and chopped (or 1 tsp paste)
  • 2–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste
  • 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
  • 1½ cups seafood stock or chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 red chili or Fresno pepper, sliced (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To finish & serve

  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro or Thai basil
  • Extra lime wedges
  • Steamed jasmine rice or crusty bread

Instructions

Step 1: Build the Base

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté garlic, ginger, and lemongrass for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in red curry paste and cook another 1–2 minutes until the oils release and everything’s deeply aromatic.

Step 2: Simmer the Broth

Add coconut milk, broth, fish sauce, brown sugar, and lime juice. Bring to a simmer and cook 5–7 minutes to develop flavor.

Step 3: Add the Seafood

Add fish chunks first and simmer gently 2–3 minutes. Add shrimp and mussels last, cover, and cook 4–5 minutes more until shrimp are pink and mussels have opened (discard any unopened). Taste and adjust with more lime, salt, or fish sauce.

Step 4: Finish and Serve

Stir in fresh herbs and optional chili slices. Serve hot in bowls over rice or with crusty bread. Garnish with more herbs and lime.

Flavor Variations

  • Add baby corn, spinach, bok choy, or mushrooms for bulk
  • Swap in green curry paste for a brighter herbaceous vibe
  • Use tamarind paste for a tangier, more sour finish
  • Add coconut cream for extra richness
  • Top with crispy shallots or chili oil

Pro Tips

  • Don’t overcook seafood — it goes in toward the end
  • Curry paste strength varies — start light, taste, then add more
  • Lemongrass gives depth — use fresh, frozen, or paste
  • Coconut milk should simmer, not boil, to stay creamy
  • Prep all ingredients in advance — this dish moves quickly once it starts

Final Thoughts

Spicy Thai Seafood Stew is warm, creamy, and electrified with flavor — a bowlful of Southeast Asian soul that balances richness with bright heat and fresh herbs. It’s one of those stews that gets even better with slurps.

Simmer it bold. Squeeze the lime. Bring the heat. 🦐🌶🥥🔥

🍲 Hearty Seafood Soups & Stews

From creamy chowders to fiery global fish stews, this is your deep-dive into warm, comforting, ocean-inspired bowls.

🦐 Seafood Soup Recipes (Main Hub) – Chowders, bisques, and brothy seafood soups from all over the globe.
🦞 Seafood Stew Recipes (Main Hub) – Bold, rustic stews loaded with shrimp, fish, crab, and global spices.

🍜 Seafood Soup Favorites

🌽 Shrimp & Corn Chowder – Creamy, sweet, and perfect for late summer or cozy nights.
🐟 Classic Fish Stew – Tomato-based and herb-laced, with hearty chunks of white fish.
🦀 Creamy Crab Bisque – Rich and luxurious with delicate crab flavor.
🌊 New England Clam Chowder – Creamy, briny, and loaded with clams and potatoes.
🍅 Spicy Tomato Seafood Soup – A fiery broth with shrimp and fish, kissed by chiles.
🥥 Thai Coconut Seafood Soup – Silky, spicy, and aromatic with lemongrass and lime.
🐟 Salmon Chowder – Creamy and smoky with big flakes of fresh salmon.
🫘 Portuguese Fish & Bean Soup – Earthy and savory, perfect with crusty bread.
🌶️ Mexican Caldo de Mariscos – Spicy, tomato-rich seafood soup with big Baja flavor.
🌿 Mediterranean Fish Stew – Olive oil, fennel, and tomatoes — simple and soulful.

🌍 Global Seafood Stews

🇧🇷 Brazilian Moqueca (Shrimp & Coconut Stew) – Coconut milk, lime, and dendê oil — totally unforgettable.
🇮🇹 Italian Cioppino – Tomato-wine base with crab, mussels, and white fish.
🇹🇭 Spicy Thai Seafood Stew – Deep, complex heat and umami in every bite.
🇪🇸 Spanish-Style Fish Stew – Saffron-laced and rustic, with tender fish and potatoes.
🦀 Crab & Corn Stew – Southern-style with sweet crab and hearty corn.
🦞 Lobster Stew (Maine-Style) – Creamy, luxurious, and surprisingly simple.
🇰🇷 Korean Maeuntang (Spicy Fish Stew) – Fiery red broth with tofu and tender white fish.

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

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

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