Hearty Irish Seafood Stew Recipe: Taste the Coastal Magic

When hunger strikes, this classic seafood stew recipe with authentic Irish seafood stew techniques will transport your taste buds straight to the rugged coastal kitchens of Ireland.

Generations of fishermen have perfected this hearty dish along windswept shores.

Robust and warming, each spoonful brims with tender chunks of fresh fish, plump shellfish, and rich, creamy broth.

Potatoes and herbs mingle with oceanic flavors, creating a symphony of comfort on your plate.

The recipe captures the soul of traditional maritime cooking, blending simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Fishermen’s wives once crafted this stew to nourish their loved ones after long, challenging days at sea.

Dive into this culinary journey and savor the maritime heritage of Ireland with every delectable bite.

Serving Seafood Stew with Bread or Potatoes

• Rustic Bread Companion: Serve alongside warm, crusty Irish soda bread or a hearty sourdough to soak up the rich, creamy broth and add delightful texture to each spoonful.
• Crisp Salad Pairing: Create a light green salad with mixed herbs, lemon vinaigrette, and fresh cucumber to balance the stew's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, hearty dish.
• Herbal Garnish Elegance: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley, dill, or chives on top for a burst of color, added freshness, and a subtle aromatic enhancement that elevates the seafood stew's flavor profile.
• Wine Selection Advice: Complement the stew with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light Pinot Grigio, which will beautifully match the seafood's delicate flavors and cut through the creamy broth.

Storing Seafood Stew While Retaining Texture

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover stew in airtight containers within two hours of cooking. Properly sealed meals can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, maintaining optimal flavor and seafood quality.
• Freezing Fresh Goodness: Carefully transfer cooled stew to freezer-safe containers, leaving slight expansion room. Frozen portions remain delicious for up to one month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm stew gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add small splash of seafood stock to restore original creamy consistency. Avoid microwave to prevent seafood becoming rubbery or overcooked.
• Weekend Meal Prep Wonder: Chop vegetables and prepare seafood in advance, storing separately in sealed containers. Keep stock and cream refrigerated. Assemble stew quickly during busy weeknights, reducing cooking time by 15-20 minutes.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 392 kcal

Servings: 7

Savory Irish Seafood Stew Ingredient Notes

• Onion: Builds a robust flavor foundation and provides a sweet, aromatic base for the stew.
• Carrot: Adds natural sweetness and vibrant color to enhance the dish's visual appeal.
• Celery: Contributes a subtle herbal note and crisp texture to the stew's background.
• Potato: Creates a hearty, creamy texture and helps thicken the stew naturally.
• Garlic: Delivers a pungent, intense flavor that elevates the entire seafood profile.

• Salmon: Brings rich, buttery flavor and delicate flaky texture to the stew.
• Shrimp: Provides sweet, tender protein with a delightful oceanic essence.

• Butter: Creates a luxurious, smooth base and helps develop deep, rich flavors.
• Flour: Acts as a thickening agent to give the stew a velvety, consistent texture.
• Half and Half: Adds creamy richness and helps create a silky, luxurious broth.
• Seafood Stock: Intensifies the maritime flavor profile and provides depth to the stew.

• Black Pepper: Adds a sharp, warming kick to brighten the overall flavor.
• Cilantro: Offers a fresh, herbaceous note to complement the seafood.
• Green Onions: Provides a mild, crisp onion flavor and attractive visual garnish.

Gear You’ll Need for This Irish-Style Stew

• Large pot: Essential for cooking the entire stew, with medium heat capability.
• Chef's knife: Sharp and reliable for precise vegetable and seafood chopping.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for preparing ingredients safely.
• Wooden spoon: Perfect for stirring vegetables and mixing stew smoothly.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.
• Ladle: Helps serve the stew evenly into individual bowls.
• Colander: Useful for rinsing seafood and draining if needed.

How to Cook a Hearty Seafood Stew

• Kitchen Preparation Gather a cozy medium-sized pot and your favorite cooking utensils. Create a welcoming workspace with all your seafood and vegetable ingredients ready to transform into a delightful Irish-inspired meal.
• Vegetable Transformation Chop onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes into tender, bite-sized pieces. Slice garlic with precision, releasing its aromatic magic into the kitchen.
• Flavor Foundation Melt butter in the pot over gentle heat. Dance the chopped vegetables around the pan, allowing them to soften and release their natural sweetness. Sprinkle garlic for an extra flavor punch.
• Silky Sauce Creation Dust flour and seasonings over the vegetables, creating a magical coating that will thicken your stew. Stir with love until every morsel is perfectly dressed.
• Liquid Harmony Pour seafood stock and cream into the pot. Let the mixture bubble and dance, simmering until vegetables become tender and the sauce develops a luxurious consistency.
• Seafood Finale Gently fold in your selected seafood, letting it bathe in the creamy embrace of the stew. Cook just until the seafood turns perfectly tender and opaque.
• Moment of Joy Ladle the steaming stew into waiting bowls. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, crack some black pepper, and serve alongside crusty bread for a truly comforting meal.

Flavor Enhancements for Irish-Inspired Comfort

• Seafood Stew Secrets: Culinary Wisdom
• Freshness First: Select the freshest seafood available from local markets or trusted fishmongers to guarantee the most vibrant and delicious flavor profile in your stew.
• Stock Selection Magic: Homemade seafood stock elevates the entire dish's depth, but high-quality store-bought stock works wonderfully as a convenient alternative.
• Seafood Swap Adventure: Experiment with different seafood combinations like cod, salmon, haddock, mussels, or scallops to create unique regional variations of this classic Irish-inspired stew.
• Temperature Technique: Avoid overcooking seafood by monitoring heat carefully – gentle simmering ensures tender, perfectly cooked fish and shellfish without becoming rubbery or tough.

Hearty Irish Seafood Stew Recipe

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4.7 from 8 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Classic Irish seafood stew celebrates maritime heritage with rich, creamy broth brimming with fresh Atlantic catches. Hearty ingredients showcase Ireland’s coastal bounty, inviting you to savor maritime tradition in each comforting spoonful.

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Ingredients

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• ½ lb (226.8 g) salmon, cut into chunks
• ½ lb (226.8 g) white fish (sea bass, cod, halibut, tilapia), cut into chunks
• ½ lb (226.8 g) shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
• 2 cups peeled and diced russet potatoes
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup peeled and diced carrots
• ½ cup diced celery
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• 3 cups seafood stock
• 2 cups half and half
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ tsps dried thyme
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Chopped cilantro or green onions, for garnish

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Instructions

1. Prep Ingredients: Peel and uniformly dice potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery. Finely mince garlic. Process seafood by removing fish skin, cutting into bite-sized pieces, and peeling and deveining shrimp.
2. Sauté Vegetables: Heat butter in a medium pot, add vegetable medley, and cook until softened. Introduce garlic and sauté briefly to release aromatic compounds.
3. Create Base: Dust vegetables with flour and seasonings, stirring to coat evenly. Pour in seafood stock and half and half, creating a smooth liquid foundation. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer, allowing the mixture to thicken and potatoes to become tender.
4. Finalize Stew: Gently fold seafood into the simmering liquid, cooking until just done. Adjust seasoning as needed, ensuring optimal flavor profile and seafood doneness.
5. Serve: Ladle stew into serving bowls, garnish with freshly ground black pepper and chopped cilantro or green onions. Pair with crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Uniformly dice vegetables to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the stew.
• Seafood Sensitivity: Remove all fish skin and carefully devein shrimp to eliminate any potential gritty or unpleasant textures.
• Flour Power: Thoroughly coat vegetables with flour to create a smooth, thickening base that prevents lumpy consistency.
• Temperature Trick: Maintain gentle heat when adding seafood to prevent overcooking, which can make fish tough and rubbery.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: Irish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 392
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 720 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 108 mg