Easy Seafood Stew With Tomato and White Wine

This seafood stew is perfect for family dinners, lazy weekends, or any time you want a comforting, one-pot meal. The combination of tomatoes, white wine, and fresh herbs creates a light yet flavourful broth that complements the delicate white fish beautifully. It’s easy to make, quick to cook, and will fill your kitchen with an irresistible aroma. Serve it with boiled potatoes or crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the sauce.

There’s something deeply comforting about a bowl of seafood stew simmered in tomatoes and white wine. This easy seafood stew is light yet flavourful, aromatic with fennel and thyme, and comes together surprisingly quickly. Perfect for a relaxed family dinner or an effortless weekend meal — especially when served with boiled potatoes to soak up every last drop of the sauce.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple, everyday ingredients
• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Light, fresh flavours with a rich tomato base
• Works with any firm white fish

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 3 tablespoons oil
• 2 large onions, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, crushed and finely chopped
• 1½ cups dry white wine
• 1 × 400 g can tomatoes, chopped
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste

• Grated zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped (or 2 teaspoons dried thyme)
• 3 bay leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 800 g firm white fish fillets, cut into small cubes (any firm white fish will work)

Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a heavy-based pan and sauté the onions until soft and translucent.
2. Add the garlic and fry for another minute or two.
3. Add the wine, tomatoes, tomato paste, lemon zest, fennel seeds, thyme, and bay leaves. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Cover the pan and let it simmer for 10 minutes.

5. Add the diced fish and cook for about 3 minutes, or until the fish is just cooked through.
6. Serve with delicious boiled potatoes.

Tips

• Don’t overcook the fish: Add it at the end and cook just until tender — seafood continues to cook a little even off the heat.
• Choose firm white fish: Cod, hake, haddock, or monkfish work best.
• Enhance the flavour: A pinch of chilli flakes or a splash of lemon juice brightens the stew.
• Wine matters: Use a dry white wine you enjoy drinking — it really does affect the final taste.
• Serving ideas: Crusty bread or boiled potatoes soak up the sauce beautifully. Fresh herbs on top make it look and taste amazing.

Serving Suggestion

Serve this seafood stew straight from the pot with boiled potatoes, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and a wedge of lemon on the side. Simple, comforting, and full of flavour.

For an extra-special touch, garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or thyme and a wedge of lemon for each bowl. You can also pair the stew with a chilled white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc, to complement the light tomato and herb flavours. A simple side salad or crusty bread makes this a complete, satisfying meal for the whole family.

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Looking for another comforting family meal?
Try our Baked Chicken and Mushroom Risotto — creamy, hearty, and oven-baked for an easy hands-off dinner.