Let’s set the scene.  The toddler is tired and crying.  We need to put her down to sleep in 1 hour which means we have to eat in the next 30 minutes.  All we have are some basic vegetables; carrots and potatoes; and a pound of halibut.  This is my favorite type of problem to solve.  How to make a delicious meal with what is on hand and do it fast.  Mediterranean fish stew is one of those meals: quick (5 minutes of prep, 25 minutes on the stovetop), yummy (even our little one loved it) and enough leftover for lunch the next day.

I’ll be honest, even with my love of everything Mediterranean, I don’t cook fish all that often.  Generally, I am more likely to get fish when I eat out than when I am at home.  I do love making fish stew though.  I had some amazing fish stews while sitting at small tavernas overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in Crete and I enjoy the simplicity of a few vegetables, fresh herbs or spices, fish and a good  broth.  Plus there was the added benefit of watching the fishermen come in with their catch in the morning and eating it later in the day.

This Mediterranean fish stew is perfect using any white fish.  I have tried it with both halibut and flounder.  It is so simple to make that even a novice in the kitchen will find making it to be a breeze.  You don’t even have to cut the fish before putting it in the broth, because it will fall apart naturally on its own.

The simplest side item to serve Mediterranean fish stew with is some bread and a Greek salad.  We would often have a glass of wine and some tzatziki when we had fish stew on the island.

Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe

Mediterranean Fish Stew (30 minute recipe)

4.06 from 118 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Course, Soup
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 391 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 carrot, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 tbsp flour
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into bite sized cubes
  • 1 pound white fish (cod, halibut, haddock) boneless
  • 4 cups chicken broth, low sodium or regular
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat butter and olive oil in a thick bottomed pot. Sauté onions and carrots until soft (about 3 minutes). Stir in flour and then add potatoes. Cook on medium heat for 1 minute.
  • Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add fish and smoked paprika. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally until potatoes are soft (about 15-20 minutes). Fish should flake into small pieces.

Nutrition

Calories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 29gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 64mgSodium: 204mgPotassium: 1442mgFiber: 5gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 2895IUVitamin C: 36mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 2mg
Have you tried this recipe? Tell us about it!Click here to rate this recipe in the comments section below.
About the Author: Bill Bradley, R.D.
Bill’s passion is to live and teach the principles of good food, generosity, and how to open our hearts while we take care of ourselves and others. More →

13 Comments

  1. Julie October 26, 2023 at 11:57 am - Reply

    What is the herb used as garnish in the photo?

    • Winter LeBlanc October 27, 2023 at 10:51 am - Reply

      I believe it is parsley.

  2. X in LA December 4, 2022 at 8:45 pm - Reply

    5 stars
    Instant favorite at our house, and we have a teenage boy who approved! My favorite part is how easy it is to make. Simple ingredients.

  3. Dave November 26, 2022 at 7:40 pm - Reply

    5 stars
    Let me start by saying I have an affinity for all things fish related.
    And after Thanksgiving my wife and I were potatoed out. Switched brown rice for potatoes and violà, tasty stew!

  4. Monica November 16, 2022 at 2:17 pm - Reply

    Really quick and easy to make and very good. I shared with my sister and she loved it too. Definitely will make this again and again.

  5. www.fooddoz.com October 28, 2022 at 12:41 am - Reply

    Thanks for the mediterranean fish stew recipe.

  6. LesLee September 14, 2022 at 9:58 am - Reply

    5 stars
    We love this simple, hearty, savory soup! So easy and so fresh, and leftovers for another meal — it ticks all the boxes. 💛

  7. Sapphire💙💛 May 30, 2022 at 1:59 pm - Reply

    5 stars
    I added a little salt. Next time, and I will make again, I may add fresh rosemary.

  8. Kelly April 18, 2022 at 6:34 pm - Reply

    Super good! I added 1/2 tsp of my homemade garlic paste and 1/8 tsp of cayenne pepper…. Superb!!

    • Bill Bradley, R.D. April 26, 2022 at 11:40 am - Reply

      I love your additions. Thanks for sharing.

  9. John Mayberry October 10, 2021 at 9:44 pm - Reply

    1/4 what chicken broth? It has to be more than 1/4 cup to make 4 bowls of soup.

    • Bill Bradley, R.D. October 11, 2021 at 10:09 am - Reply

      Hi John,
      Thank you for catching that! We just made a lot of changes to our website and that didn’t get translated correctly. It should be 4 cups.

  10. Stacy Barton March 12, 2021 at 8:48 pm - Reply

    This is amazing! I followed the recipe exactly, made a Greek salad and crusty bread to dip in the broth. You need to try this one!

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