Instant Pot Fish Stew with Southern Style
Most people I know did not grow up eating fish stew… But I did! It was just kinda normal to me, but I’m finding out that it’s actually kinda rare. Well, at least this particular style of stew is. My dad is no longer with us, but I’m pretty sure he would approve of this Instant Pot fish stew! It’s a warm, rich, and comforting stew. And it’s everything we love about southern food. Finally, trust me on this… the eggs add a decadent nature to the stew that is unmatched!
A few other stew recipes that we love…
The Process
Using sauté setting – add bacon to pot…
…and cook until almost crispy.
Add tomato paste to pot…
…mix well, and cook for about 1 minute.
Add garlic and cook for another minute. Then turn off heat.
Add a layer of potatoes…
…followed by a layer of onions. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Add a layer of fish and season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Repeat layers again, ending with a layer of fish on top.
Pour in seafood stock. You want the liquid to just barely touch the bottom of the top layer of fish. So, if need be, add a little water to achieve that. Lock lid and cook for 3 minutes at high pressure.
Once cook time is complete, quick-release pressure. Remove lid and skim as much fat from the top as you like. I think a little fat is good, but you can skim it all off if you like.
Switch back to sauté setting. Crack eggs into empty spaces on top. Once all the eggs are in, switch back to “keep warm” setting and place the lid back on pot.
Allow edge to poach in the residual heat. For slightly runny eggs (like I prefer), let them sit for about 7 minutes. But for hard cooked eggs, it’ll probably take 15 or so. To serve… Gently scoop out stew, making sure to get all the way to the bottom so that you get some bacon! Top each bowl with an egg or two.
And this is the AMAZING result…
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Instant Pot Fish Stew
Ingredients
- 8 oz. bacon thick cut, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 6 oz. tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp. garlic minced
- 2 lbs. red potatoes cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 lb. yellow onions cut into 1/4-inch slices
- 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt divided
- 2 lbs. fish your choice
- 4 cups seafood stock
- 6 eggs the highest quality you find
Instructions
- Using sauté setting – add bacon to pot and cook until almost crispy. Add tomato paste to pot, mix well, and cook for about 1 minute. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Then turn off heat.
- Add a layer of potatoes, followed by a layer of onions. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Add a layer of fish and season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Repeat layers again, ending with a layer of fish on top.
- Pour in seafood stock. You want the liquid to just barely touch the bottom of the top layer of fish. So, if need be, add a little water to achieve that. Lock lid and cook for 3 minutes at high pressure.
- Once cook time is complete, quick-release pressure. Remove lid and skim as much fat from the top as you like. I think a little fat is good, but you can skim it all off if you like.
- Switch back to sauté setting. Crack eggs into empty spaces on top. Once all the eggs are in, switch back to “keep warm” setting and place the lid back on pot.
- Allow edge to poach in the residual heat. For slightly runny eggs (like I prefer), let them sit for about 7 minutes. But for hard cooked eggs, it’ll probably take 15 or so. To serve… Gently scoop out stew, making sure to get all the way to the bottom so that you get some bacon! Top each bowl with an egg or two.
Nutrition
I can’t wait to make this! I’m embarrassed to ask, but where is fish stock in the grocery store, or do I need to make my own? I have seen fish stock CUBES (I think by Knor). Have you used those/would that work?
Seafood stock (not necessarily fish stock) with be right next to the chicken stock. I like the Swanson brand.
This sounds SO good! Since it will be just for me, can I reduce recipe to half? Still use the same cooking time? Thank you!
Yes, cook time should remain the same with halving the recipe. Hope you like it!
My family enjoyed this meal! It was my 3rd meal in my new instant pot.
Made it yesterday. Wonderful flavor and texture. Might be my 8qt IP; but I got the burnt message – even after deglazing with a small bit of white wine. Removed Tilapia and potatoes, scraped bottom, restarted, finished. Great meal with hard roll.
Instead of fish, could shrimp, muscles and clams be used? What adjustments would be necessary?
I have not tested this recipe with other kinds of seafood, so I’m unable to say how it would work. You may have better luck looking up a recipe with shrimp, muscles and clams on Google. I believe some Brazilian fish stews incorporate other types of seafood.