Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home is a warm, hearty dish packed with fresh seafood and aromatic spices. This easy recipe brings the flavors of the French Mediterranean coast right to your kitchen with simple pantry staples and beginner-friendly steps. The velvety broth and tender seafood make it a perfect comfort meal that's straightforward enough for weeknight cooking. Pair it with my favorite BBQ Pulled Pork Pasta Onion recipe for a satisfying surf and turf twist.
Why You'll Love Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food
Dive into Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home with this easy, flavorful recipe perfect for comforting weeknight dinners and family meals.
- Authentic seafood flavors with easy-to-find ingredients.
- Quick and beginner-friendly, perfect for weeknight cooking.
- Comforting and cozy stew, ideal for chilly evenings.
- Flexible recipe with options for different seafood varieties.
Ingredients for Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food
White Fish: Use firm, flaky fish like cod or halibut. Salmon or trout can be substituted but will alter flavor and texture.Seafood Mix: Freshness is key; if fresh mussels or clams aren't available, frozen or fresh shrimp and fish alone work well.
- White Fish: Use firm, flaky fish like cod or halibut. Salmon or trout can be substituted but will alter flavor and texture.
- Seafood Mix: Freshness is key; if fresh mussels or clams aren't available, frozen or fresh shrimp and fish alone work well.
Ingredient Note: Full measurements for Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food are listed in the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food
Step 1 — Prep & Preheat
Prepare the Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, fennel, and garlic; sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Step 2 — Cook and Build Flavor
Add Liquids and Spices: Stir in diced tomatoes, fish stock, white wine, saffron, smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
Step 3 — Finish, Taste, and Adjust
Add Seafood: Add the white fish chunks first, simmer for 5 minutes. Then add shrimp, mussels, and clams. Cover and cook until shellfish open and shrimp turn pink, about 5–7 minutes. Discard any unopened shellfish.
Expert Tips for Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food
- Use a wide, heavy-bottomed pot to cook evenly and prevent sticking.
- Simmer gently to avoid toughening seafood.
- Fresh saffron adds authentic flavor but can substitute with turmeric for color.
Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food
Dive into Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home with this easy, flavorful recipe perfect for comforting weeknight dinners and family meals.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb firm white fish (cod, halibut), cut into chunks
- 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 lb mussels, cleaned and debearded
- 1/2 lb clams, scrubbed
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups fish stock or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
Seasonings & Flavor Boosters
- 1 tsp saffron threads
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crusty bread or toasted baguette slices
- Rouille sauce or aioli (optional)
Instructions
How to Make Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home
- Prepare the Base: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion, fennel, and garlic; sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add Liquids and Spices: Stir in diced tomatoes, fish stock, white wine, saffron, smoked paprika, thyme, bay leaf, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer and cook uncovered for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
- Add Seafood: Add the white fish chunks first, simmer for 5 minutes. Then add shrimp, mussels, and clams. Cover and cook until shellfish open and shrimp turn pink, about 5–7 minutes. Discard any unopened shellfish.
- Serve Hot: Remove bay leaf. Ladle stew into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with crusty bread and optional rouille or aioli for dipping.
Nutrition (per serving)
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended (texture changes).
- Serve/Reheat: Best chilled or at room temperature.
Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food FAQs
It’s best enjoyed fresh, but you can prepare the broth base a day ahead. Add seafood only when reheating to keep texture tender.
Use turmeric for a similar color or smoky paprika to boost flavor, but saffron’s unique taste can’t be exactly replaced.
Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 2 days. Avoid freezing to keep the seafood texture intact.
This usually happens if cooked on too high heat or for too long. Simmer gently and add seafood last, cooking just until opaque.
You Might Also Like
- Pair it with my BBQ Pulled Pork Pasta Onion for a surf-and-turf meal
- Try Mouthwatering Char Siu Pork for another flavorful homemade dish
Before You Go
If you try this Bouillabaisse Bliss: Create a Cozy Seafood Stew at Home - Easy Homemade Comfort Food, I’d love for you to leave a rating or share how you customized it.