Name: Creamy Seafood Stew Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Creole
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 2 celery stalks, chopped; 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 1 leek, white portion sliced or chopped; 1 red pepper, chopped; 3 teaspoons blackening or Creole seasoning (plus additional to taste); 2 bay leaves; 13.5 ounces full fat coconut milk; 1/4 cup dry white wine; 1/2 cup clam juice; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; Salt and pepper to taste; 12 ounces Red Snapper or Cod fillets, chopped into large chunks; 12 ounces jumbo shrimp (21/25 count), peeled, cleaned, and dried; Cilantro

If you’re craving something comforting yet bursting with bright, ocean-fresh flavors, this Creamy Seafood Stew Recipe is exactly what you need to whip up in no time. Rich and velvety from the coconut milk, with tender chunks of red snapper and plump jumbo shrimp, this stew is a delightful balance of spice and creaminess that warms your soul and excites your palate. Perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests, it’s a seafood lover’s dream come true.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows six small clear glass bowls and one small black bowl arranged on a white marbled surface. The top left bowl contains light green chopped celery pieces, and to its right, there is a bowl with bright red chopped bell peppers. Below the celery is a bowl with white and light green sliced leeks, and next to it, a bowl filled with white granulated sugar. At the bottom left, near the leeks, is a bowl containing two dark red dollops of tomato paste. The last bowl, black and square-shaped, holds minced or finely chopped light yellow garlic. All bowls are evenly spaced in a grid-like pattern. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Though this Creamy Seafood Stew Recipe might sound indulgent, the ingredient list is wonderfully straightforward. Each ingredient plays a starring role in building layers of flavor, ensuring your stew has the perfect balance of texture, creaminess, and just the right amount of spice.

Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a subtle fruitiness and is the perfect base for sautéing the aromatics.
Celery stalks (chopped): Brings a gentle crunch and fresh, bright notes to the stew.
Garlic cloves (finely chopped): Infuses the dish with its unmistakable savory warmth.
Leek (white portion sliced or chopped): Offers a mild onion-like sweetness that softens as it cooks.
Red pepper (chopped): Vibrant color and a subtle sweetness that balances the spices perfectly.
Blackening or creole seasoning: Packs a punch of bold, smoky heat to awaken the flavors.
Bay leaves: Adds a fragrant herbal depth while simmering.
Full fat coconut milk: Creates the luscious, creamy base that makes this stew unforgettable.
Dry white wine: Lifts the stew with a hint of acidity and complex fruitiness.
Clam juice: Enriches the broth with an authentic seafood essence that completes the ocean flavor profile.
Tomato paste: Concentrates sweetness and adds rich umami undertones.
Red snapper or cod fillets (chopped): Tender, flaky fish that soaks up all those delicious flavors.
Jumbo shrimp (peeled, cleaned, dried): Succulent seafood that cooks quickly and adds beautiful texture.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all the tastes perfectly.
Cilantro (optional for garnish): Bright, fresh herb to lift the dish just before serving.

TIP

You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.

How to Make Creamy Seafood Stew Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics

Start by heating your saucepan over medium-high heat. Once it’s nice and hot, add a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Toss in the chopped leeks, garlic, red pepper, and celery, letting these fresh ingredients soften and mingle for about four to five minutes. Stir frequently so nothing sticks or burns—this step unlocks the essential base flavors for your stew.

Step 2: Add Seasonings and Tomato Paste

Next, sprinkle in your blackening or creole seasoning along with the tomato paste and bay leaves. Stir everything together thoroughly. The seasoning will lend a smoky, slightly spicy warmth while the tomato paste deepens the stew’s color and brings in rich umami complexity.

Step 3: Deglaze and Simmer the Broth

Pour in the dry white wine and clam juice, stirring to combine all the ingredients into a flavorful broth. Keep the heat at medium and let the mixture cook for about two minutes. This simmering melds all your spices and liquids together, setting the stage for the seafood.

Step 4: Add the Seafood and Cook

Gently stir in the chopped fish fillets and jumbo shrimp, making sure not to break apart the delicate chunks of fish. Maintain medium heat and let the stew cook for approximately five minutes. You want the seafood to cook through perfectly—shrimp pink and firm, fish tender and flakey.

Step 5: Finish with Coconut Milk and Season

Turn off the heat and gently stir in the full fat coconut milk to give the stew its signature creamy texture. Taste your stew and add extra creole or blackening seasoning as needed, plus salt and pepper to balance. Finally, remove the bay leaves before serving to avoid any unexpected bitterness.

How to Serve Creamy Seafood Stew Recipe

A white pot filled with a creamy orange sauce with visible shrimp pieces in it. The shrimp are pink and nestled throughout the thick sauce, which has a smooth, slightly chunky texture with bits of vegetables mixed in. A black ladle is resting inside the pot, holding some shrimp and sauce above the surface. The pot is placed on a white marbled countertop. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

The best way to elevate this stew at the table is with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro. Its bright herbaceous notes contrast beautifully with the rich and creamy base, making every spoonful vibrant and inviting.

Side Dishes

Serve your creamy seafood stew alongside crusty bread for dunking, a simple green salad to balance richness, or even fluffy white rice to soak up every bit of the luxurious broth. Each option complements the stew perfectly and rounds out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For a charming touch, serve the stew in rustic bowls with a lemon wedge on the side to add a zesty pop of acidity. You can also drizzle a little chili oil on top for those who love an extra kick. This stew is as much a feast for the eyes as it is for the palate.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, transfer your leftover creamy seafood stew to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to two days without losing the delicate flavors or creamy texture.

Freezing

Although you can freeze this stew, keep in mind that the texture of the seafood might change slightly upon thawing. If you decide to freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to one month and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to boil the stew once the coconut milk has been added, as that can cause it to separate. Warm it just until the seafood is heated through for the best texture and flavor.

FAQs

Can I use other types of seafood?

Absolutely! While red snapper and jumbo shrimp are fantastic choices here, you can swap in cod, halibut, scallops, or even mussels to suit your preference and availability. Just adjust cooking times accordingly for different seafood.

Is this stew spicy?

The blackening or creole seasoning adds a gentle warmth and complexity rather than outright heat. If you like things spicier, feel free to add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to kick it up a notch.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

This Creamy Seafood Stew Recipe is naturally dairy-free thanks to the use of full fat coconut milk, making it perfect for those avoiding dairy but still craving that luscious creamy texture.

What can I substitute for clam juice?

If you don’t have clam juice on hand, low-sodium seafood broth or even vegetable broth with a splash of lemon juice can provide a similar depth and brightness to the stew’s base.

How long does this stew take to make?

This recipe is a quick 25-minute wonder from start to finish, perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute dinner plans when you want something impressive and satisfying without the fuss.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly special about simmering seafood in a creamy, spiced broth that just makes your taste buds dance. This Creamy Seafood Stew Recipe is a personal favorite I can’t recommend enough—it’s comforting, quick, and bursting with fresh flavors that feel both exotic and homey. Give it a try and watch how it becomes a favorite on your dinner rotation, too!