Easy Cioppino (Seafood Stew) 🍤🐟🍅

Cozy, hearty, and bursting with rich coastal flavor

Introduction

Cioppino is a classic seafood stew that originated in San Francisco, created by Italian fishermen using the day’s catch.

This easy version keeps all the bold flavors—tomato broth, garlic, herbs, and mixed seafood—while staying simple enough for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Seafood:

200g shrimp (peeled & deveined)
200g white fish (cod, halibut, or similar)
200g mussels or clams (cleaned)

Base:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion (chopped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 can (400g) crushed tomatoes
2 cups seafood or fish broth

Flavor:

1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Salt & black pepper to taste
1 bay leaf

Finish:

Fresh parsley (chopped)
Lemon wedges

Substitutions:

Seafood → any mix (scallops, crab, etc.)
Wine → extra broth + splash of vinegar
Fish broth → chicken broth
Mussels → shrimp or fish

Timing

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: ~40–45 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Sauté base

Heat olive oil in a large pot. Cook onion until soft, then add garlic.

Step 2: Build broth

Add crushed tomatoes, broth, wine, oregano, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Simmer for 15–20 minutes.

Step 3: Add seafood

Add fish pieces first, then shrimp and shellfish.

Step 4: Cook gently

Simmer for 5–7 minutes until seafood is cooked and shellfish open.

Step 5: Season

Taste and adjust salt and pepper.

Step 6: Finish

Remove bay leaf. Add fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon.

Step 7: Serve

Serve hot with crusty bread.

Nutritional Information (approx per serving)

Calories: 300–450 kcal
Protein: 30–40g
Carbohydrates: 10–20g
Fat: 10–15g

Healthier Alternatives

Use less oil
Skip wine
Add more vegetables (zucchini, spinach)
Use low-sodium broth
Increase fish-to-sauce ratio for more protein

Serving Suggestions

Crusty bread (for dipping)
Garlic bread
Side salad
Steamed rice
Pasta (for a heartier meal)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overcooking seafood (becomes rubbery)
Not cleaning shellfish properly
Boiling instead of simmering
Adding all seafood at once
Skipping seasoning adjustments

Storage Tips

Store in fridge up to 2 days
Reheat gently (avoid overcooking seafood)
Not ideal for freezing
Store in airtight container
Add fresh herbs when reheating