Look no further when than this Red Snapper Stew (Haitian Fish Stew) recipe, if you’re looking for a dish that’s both nourishing and packed with flavor.
This high-protein fish is loaded with omega-3. It’s the perfect fish to fuel your essential nutrients and satisfy your taste buds.
Ready in less than 1 hour, this Haitian Fish stew (red snapper stew) is an easy seafood dish that’s bold in flavor.
Haitian Fish Stew (Red Snapper Stew)
From the shores of the Caribbean to the bustling fish markets of West Africa, red snapper stew is a dish that tells a story-a story of tradition, of family gatherings, of grandmothers passing down their secret spice blends. Whether you grew up savoring it or discovering it for the first time, this Haitian fish stew is a journey in a bowl.
Haitian Fish is highly seasoned and marinated for a minimum of 2 hours but best overnight. It is then simmered down in a rich red, sauce that’s filled with aromatics like garlic, parsley, onions, garlic, tomatoes and tomato paste, bell peppers, sometimes sage or thyme, and Scotch bonnet pepper (optional) to name a few.
When combined with Haitian Black Rice, this dish is a match made in heaven! Each layer of the coating in this Haitian fish stew (red snapper stew) flavor adds a layer of complexity to the finished dish.
In this recipe, you control the level of heat that’s added. Although Haitian fish (red snapper stew) is usually mild in heat level, it’s an ingredient that can be omitted if you don’t enjoy spicy food or intensified if you enjoy spicy food.
Informational Details About Haitian Red Snapper Stew
- Red snapper is a firm, mildly sweet fish that holds up well in stews, absorbing flavors beautifully. It’s a favorite in Caribbean, African, and Latin American cuisines, often paired with bold spices and fresh herbs.
- When making this Haitian fish stew, the common ingredients include tomatoes, garlic, onions, scotch bonnet peppers for heat, thyme, scallions or shallots, and lime juice.
- The fish is often marinated with citrus and seasonings. It is sometimes lightly pan-fried to seal in flavor, then simmered in a fragrant red tomato sauce until tender.
Why Is This Haitian Fish Stew So Flavorful
With the combination of fresh herbs from our preserved parsley to the added acid, Haitian Epis, and our very own Savory Thoughts Jacmel Haitian Spice Blend, the natural umami from the fish creates a deep, complex flavor that gets better as it simmers, and the next day.
Haitian Fish Pairing Suggestions
One of the common Haitian meals I grew up with is whole or half fish, particularly bone-in red snapper cooked on an open fire. For authentic Haitian flavor, serve the fish alongside white rice, mayi moulen, boiled plantains and salad russe, or steamed vegetables.
If you are not familiar with red snapper, it is a popular white fish that has a lovely reddish skin. It has a fixed texture or firm texture with a sweet and delicate nutty flavor, which makes it the ideal choice for gatherings, grilling, or baking.
The fish can also be served with Haitian Fried Plantains, Red Beans and Rice, or Sos Pwa Nwa, crusty bread, and more.
Red Snapper Price
Red snapper is highly versatile. As mentioned above, it’s perfect for grilling, cooking in sauce, baking, and sauteing.
As versatile as red snapper is, it’s also one of the pricier fish. Each portion, whole or in parts, is weighed individually.
Depending on your region and the readily availability of the fish, the price may vary. One can expect to spend a hefty price between $18 dollars to $30.00 dollars or more per pound. This is due to the cost of shipping and handling.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The best wild-caught red snapper can be purchased at the local fish market. Other locations may also have fish available in the freezer section.
Yes, red snapper is a bottom feeder fish. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure it is cleaned correctly before cooking.
Depending on your location you purchase red snapper any time of the year. However, they are in season between June through late August.
Key To Flavoring Red Snapper
When it comes to cooking and flavoring Haitian fish or red snapper, the most important thing is to season the fish on the outside as well as in the inside.
For the coarse seasonings to be able to fit easily between slits and into every crevice inside and outside of the fish, it is highly recommended that you crush them. How To Select Fresh Red Snapper.
When selecting a red snapper, here’s what to look out for:
- Make sure the fish is in good condition: There’s nothing worse than buying rotten fish. Sometimes the fish will be covered with ice, making it impossible to get the true smell of the fish. With that being said, when red snapper is fresh, the smell will be pleasant, and ocean-like.
- Always purchase from a marketplace you trust. For more information regarding the fish, the fishmonger will provide information, on how long it has been sitting at the store, and sometimes even how to prepare the fish.
- Examine the fish thoroughly. Any fish that is fresh should have eyes that are shiny and bright in appearance. Try not to purchase it if the eyes appear to be opposite. The scale should be reddish pink.
Key Ingredients To Make Haitian Fish (Red Snapper Stew)
Fresh Ingredients: Best to use fresh red snappers, fresh bell peppers, garlic cloves, mushrooms, and herbs as these ingredients will enhance the overall flavor of the stew.
Adding Acid: When making Haitian Fish Stew, we recommend that you have some sort of acid on hand. This will include one of the following: lime, lemon, apple cider vinegar, or distilled white vinegar.
Flavor Profile & Seasoning Tips
In this recipe, mushrooms are added to provide more substance to the dish. red wine is also added to provide depth of flavor, as well as capers and the Worcestershire sauce.
Though these ingredients are not traditionally added to the stew, once paired with the seasoning blends of the Jacmel and Haitian Epis, these ingredients will leave the stew bursting with flavor.
Step-by-Step Cooking Process
Prepare the fish: Start by cleaning the fish. Be sure to remove the gills and descale the fish if necessary. Check out our fried red snapper recipe for cleaning details.
To the fish in a large bowl, add the garlic, Jacmel Haitian seasoning blend, Haitian epis salt and pepper, and white wine vinegar. Apply the ingredients / seasoning all over the fish. Allow the fish to marinate for at least 2 hours but best overnight.
Prepare the sauce by first sauteing the vegetables. Add the seasoning and red wine along with the capers, Worcestershire sauce, and water.
Add the fish and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until tender. Serve immediately.
Leftovers and Storage
This red snapper stew is best enjoyed immediately when served with your favorite rice dish. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
To reheat, simply reheat on the stove until heated through or in the microwave.
More Fish Recipes To Enjoy
Bouillabaisse (French Fish Stew)
Air Fryer Fish and Chips Recipe
Haitian Fish Stew (Red Snapper Stew)
Equipment
- Large Heavy Bottom Saucepan
Ingredients
For The Fish
- 2 Red Snapper fish 2 ½ lbs. total
- 1 garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp. Jacmel Haitian Seasoning
- 2 Tbsp. Haitian Epis
- 1 tsp. white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Kosher Salt or to taste
- 1 tsp. Ground Black Pepper or to taste
For The Stew
- 1 leak; thinly sliced
- ½ Red Bell Pepper; Sliced
- ½ Yellow Bell Pepper; Sliced
- 4 Garlic Cloves; finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. Spoon Parsley preserved
- 4 oz. Baby Bella Mushrooms; Roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup Sweet Red Wine; Optional
- Juice from 1 lime
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 Tbsp. Jacmel
- ½ Tbsp. Haitian Epis
- 1 Tbsp. White Wine Vinegar
- 1 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 Tsp. Capers with liquid
- Few slices of onions to add at the end
Instructions
- Place the fish in a large bowl. Then add the garlic, Jacmel Haitian seasoning blend, Haitian Epis salt and pepper, and white wine vinegar. Apply the ingredients / seasoning all over the fish. Allow the fish to marinate for at least 2 hours but best overnight.
- To prepare the stew, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Then add the parsley preserve. Add the leek, bell pepper slices, garlic, and mushrooms. Stir well to mix and cook for about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Next, add the tomato paste and continue to cook and stir well to mix all the ingredients. Then add the sweet red wine (optional) and add juice from one lime. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook for about 30 seconds. Transfer the fish to the saucepan over the vegetables. Add the water to the dish with the marinate, swirl around to combine then pour the liquid in the saucepan. Coat the fish with the vegetables and liquid. Add the 1 Tbsp. Jacmel Haitian Seasoning, Haitian Epis, white wine vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and capers along with the liquid. Stir to combine and adjust the seasoning if needed. Cover and allow to simmer for about 8-10 minutes. Turn the fish on the other side halfway through cooking. Cover and allow to simmer for additional 5-8 minutes. If the sauce is too thick, add about ¼ cup of water for a thinner sauce. Once the fish has cooked, serve with red beans and rice, white rice, bread, or salad.
Ana says
This stew was absolutely delicious! I loved the combination of flavors and textures. This is a definite keeper!
Mirlene says
Thank you, Ana
Angela Campos says
I loved this recipe so much! I had never made a stew with red snapper before, but definitely will be making this one on repeat!!!
Mirlene says
Thank you very much, Angela!
amy liu dong says
I love this recipe! It is so delicious, healthy, and easy to make dish that everyone will love!
Mirlene says
Thank you Amy. Very glad you love this recipe.
Molly Kumar says
This looks so delicious and filled with flavors! Love the addition of Haitian seasoning and white wine along with the veggies and red snapper.
Mirlene says
Thank you, Molly. So glad you loved the recipe and thanks for trying it.
Cara says
This will have your entire house smelling good enough to eat! Definitely recommend this recipe for anyone aiming to eat more fish and seafood
Michelle says
Beautiful way to use red snapper! Absolutely delicious recipe.
Beth says
This sounds really good. I’ve never had this particular fish recipe before, but I love red snapper and those Caribbean flavors. I know it’s going to be a hit.
Mirlene says
Thank you.