Description
A zesty Baja Seafood Stew packed with shrimp, clams, cod, and crab in a bright citrusy broth. Perfect for family dinners or special gatherings, this flavorful Mexican-inspired dish comes together in under an hour. Serve with crusty bread or warm tortillas for a comforting coastal escape.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Broth:
- 1 medium onion, chopped (about ½ cup)
- ½ cup green chili, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tbsp grated orange peel
- 1 ½ cups orange juice
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, snipped
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- 1 (28 oz) can whole tomatoes, undrained and halved
For the Seafood:
- 24 soft-shell clams, scrubbed
- 1 ½ lbs raw medium shrimp, shelled
- 1 lb cod, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 (6 oz) package frozen crabmeat, thawed and drained
Instructions
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a 6-quart Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, green chili, and garlic. Cook until the onion is tender and fragrant.
- Prepare the Broth: Stir in chicken broth, orange peel, orange juice, sugar, cilantro, basil, salt, pepper, oregano, and canned tomatoes (with juice). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes.
- Cook the Clams: Add clams, cover, and simmer until they open (5–10 minutes). Discard any clams that do not open.
- Add the Seafood: Gently stir in shrimp, cod, and crabmeat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 4–5 minutes, until the shrimp is pink and the cod flakes easily.
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and serve hot with crusty bread or tortillas. Garnish with a squeeze of lime and fresh cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Substitutions: Swap cod for any mild fish like sea bass, tilapia, or mahimahi. Use imitation crabmeat for a budget-friendly option.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months (omit clams if freezing).
- Pro Tip: For extra zest, finish with fresh lime juice and a sprinkle of chili powder.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 175 mg
Keywords: Baja Seafood Stew, Mexican seafood stew, citrusy seafood stew