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    Home » African Keto Recipes

    May 15, 2020

    African Fish Stew

    Published on May 15, 2020. Updated on Jan 16, 2023. By Tayo. This post may contain affiliate links. See Disclosure. 16 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    pinterest image for African fish stew

    African Fish Stew is a flavorful and appetizing Nigerian stew made with tilapia fish and cooked in a spicy, fragrant combination of tomatoes and peppers. It truly is incredibly delicious!

    African fish stew in a bowl
    Nigerian fish stew

    This Nigerian stew is another well-beloved dish commonly eaten in West Africa and is also a party favorite.

    If you’ve tried my Nigerian Beef Stew, this stew is similar to it and is just as easy to make. But there are some key differences that make the flavor special in its own way.

    For this recipe, I like to fry the fish before using it in the stew. You can skip this step;  the stew will turn out great even if you don't fry it.

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    But the fried fish makes this dish all the more special. It gives a stronger, bolder flavor which I guarantee will have you licking your fingers!

    closeup shot of Nigerian fish stew

    Ingredients used

    • Tilapia Fish: This recipe is made with tilapia fish, but you can use catfish or any white fish, and the process will be basically the same. Also, you can use fillets, but I use a whole tilapia fish that has been gutted and chopped with the flesh intact. I like to leave the flesh in because it ensures the fish will remain whole and intact and will not break apart before the stew is done.
    • Vegetables: tomatoes, red bell pepper, habanero pepper, and onions for making the stew.
    • Spices: bouillon powder, thyme, black pepper, and salt.
    • Olive oil and stock/water.
    tilapia and other ingredients to make stew

    How to make African Fish Stew

    If you are using a whole tilapia fish, you will have to gut and clean it before you use it. If you’re using fillets, then skip this step.

    You might be able to buy it already gutted and cleaned which should help speed things up.

    Cut the fish into 5 - 6 medium pieces and deep fry till crispy.

    Blend the tomatoes, red bell pepper, and habanero pepper in a blender. It’s easier to blend the tomatoes first, so it creates a liquid base before adding the peppers.

    If possible, do not add water when blending or add very little. Chop the onions and set them aside.

    Add the olive oil to a pan on medium heat and when heated, add the chopped onions. Stir till translucent, then add the blended tomatoes and pepper.

    frying tilapia to make stew

    Let it cook for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat, and add a little stock or just water. Mix together, then add your spices, adding the salt last.

    It is always safe to add salt and spices after you add your stock because, most of the time, the stock is already flavored. On several occasions, I did not even need to add any salt because the stock was enough.

    Bring to a boil, then add the fish. Try to avoid a lot of stirring once the fish has been added. It is helpful to taste for salt to make sure it is to your liking before adding the fish.

    fried tilapia in african stew

    Simmer for about 10 minutes, and your African Fish Stew is ready to serve!

    This serves six and each serving contains four net carbs per serving. This can be kept for up to 5 days in the fridge.

    This African fish stew is perfect with cauliflower rice, but you can eat it with any dish that calls for a stew.

    tilapia stew ready to eat

    Tips when making African Fish Stew

    • Adjust the spices and ensure they are to your liking before adding the fish.
    • Some fish have more bones than others, so bear that in mind when selecting what fish to use.
    • Another great substitute for this recipe is croaker fish.
    • After adding the fish, only stir gently and as little as possible so the fish does not break apart.
    • You don’t have to fry the fish if you are in a hurry, but frying helps to keep it together and reduces the chance of breaking.

    Check out these other delicious low carb stews!

    Nigerian Beef Stew

    Efo Riro (Nigerian Spinach Stew)

    Goat Stew

    Instant Pot Lamb Stew

    Egg Stew

    bowl of African fish stew with cauliflower rice

    Need some low carb, refreshing and comforting soups? You'll love these!

    Vegetable Beef Soup with Cabbage

    Cow Foot Soup

    Keto Tomato Soup

    Spicy Mussel Soup

    Oxtail Soup

    Keto Mushroom Soup

    📖 Recipe

    featured image for nigerian fish stew

    African Fish Stew

    Nigerian Fish Stew is a flavorful and appetizing African fish stew made with tilapia fish and cooked in a spicy fragrant combination of tomatoes and peppers. It truly is incredibly delicious!
    4.85 from 13 votes
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: African
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 284kcal
    Author: Tayo Oredola
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    Ingredients

    • 1 lb tilapia fish
    • 3 tomatoes
    • 1 bell pepper
    • 1 habanero pepper
    • 1 onion
    • ½ cup olive oil
    • ½ cup stock/water
    • 1 tablespoon bouillon powder
    • ½ teaspoon thyme
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt or to taste

    Instructions

    • Wash and clean the tilapia fish.
    • Cut the fish into 5 - 6 medium pieces and deep fry till crispy.
    • Chop the onions and set aside.
    • Blend the tomatoes, bell pepper, and habanero pepper.
    • Fry the chopped onions in olive oil.
    • After about a minute, add the blended tomatoes and pepper.
    • Boil for about 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
    • Add the stock/water.
    • Taste for salt first, then add the bouillon powder, thyme, black pepper.
    • Add the salt last.
    • Bring to a boil, then add the fish.
    • Simmer for 5-10 minutes while stirring as little as possible.
    • Your African Fish Stew is ready to serve!

    Notes

    This serves 6 and each serving contains 4 net carbs per serving.
    • Adjust the spices and make sure it is to your liking before adding the fish.
    • After adding the fish, only stir very gently and as little as possible, so the fish does not break apart.
    • You don’t have to fry the fish if you are in a hurry, but frying helps to keep it together and reduces the chance of breaking.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 214mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1149IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mona says

      November 13, 2021 at 8:36 pm

      What do I fry the fish with or can I boil it ?

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        November 15, 2021 at 11:00 pm

        Hi Mona, you can fry the fish in any cooking oil. I would not recommend boiling because the fish might break apart in the stew.

        Reply
    2. Veronica Mast says

      September 26, 2021 at 11:46 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is stunning and delicious. It really is something special. I didn't have habanero so I used a jalapeno. I used home grown tomatoes and tilapia fillets which I fried in a bit of cornmeal, flour and seasonings. I served this over rice and everybody was enamored.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        September 27, 2021 at 3:49 pm

        I'm glad you enjoyed the stew, Veronica! I have never tried it with jalapeno but I'm glad that worked out as well!

        Reply
    3. Shaundra says

      September 05, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      5 stars
      Tayo, thank you so much for this recipe! I made it yesterday and it was a big hit. Very flavorful. It was my first time cooking tilapia whole. I paired it with hearts of palm "rice". The fish stew will be in regular rotation now.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        September 06, 2021 at 3:21 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed it, Shaundra! It's always a big hit 😀

        Reply
    4. Alexine says

      May 16, 2021 at 9:14 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Tayo, Thank you for the recipe. I made spinach fish using your instructions. I am really happy with the result. Delicious and satisfying!

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        May 19, 2021 at 10:29 am

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Alexine!

        Reply
    5. Harlie Sumner says

      March 19, 2021 at 1:03 am

      What kind off stock do you recommend? And if you want have flavor but no heat would a ¼ habanero work? I have someone who would like the stew but black pepper can even bother him I want to let him enjoy too but I can add more later.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        March 21, 2021 at 12:56 am

        Hi Harlie, you can use beef or chicken stock. And yes, 1/4 habanero will work.

        Reply
    6. Brad says

      February 11, 2021 at 3:15 am

      A Nigerian friend cooked me a meal of fish and beef stew s with fufu. Now I am addicted! Your recipes are great.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        February 11, 2021 at 5:18 pm

        Thank you, Brad! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!

        Reply
    7. Ally says

      February 10, 2021 at 12:43 pm

      4 stars
      This was very easy and very delicious. I fried the fish just a little and it worked well. I only uses half of the habenero and it was spicy enough for my teen. Will be making again!

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        February 11, 2021 at 5:19 pm

        I'm so glad you hear you enjoyed it, Ally!

        Reply
    8. Kingdom says

      July 14, 2020 at 5:44 pm

      5 stars
      This was super helpful.
      Thanks guys.

      Reply
      • Tayo says

        July 14, 2020 at 6:20 pm

        You're welcome!

        Reply

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