Best Easy Cioppino Recipe

Cioppino is a San Francisco seafood stew brimming with crab, shrimp, clams, and fish in a rich tomato-wine broth. This fresh, mediterranean-inspired, high protein dish is a family-style coastal feast.

Cook 60 min Difficulty NORMAL 370 kcal
#high protein #mediterranean
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Ingredients
Main ingredients
  • olive oil 3 tbsp
  • yellow onion 1 pieces
  • fennel bulb 1 pieces
  • celery stalks 2 pieces
  • red bell pepper 1 pieces
  • garlic cloves 4 cloves
  • diced tomatoes 2 cups
  • dry white wine 1 cup
  • seafood stock 4 cups
  • bay leaf 1 pieces
  • clams (in shell) 12 pieces
  • shrimp (peeled, deveined) 12 pieces
  • firm white fish (cod or halibut) 12 oz
  • dungeness crab (cooked, cracked) 8 oz
  • mussels (cleaned) 12 pieces
Seasonings/Sauce
  • kosher salt 1 tsp
  • black pepper 0.5 tsp
  • red pepper flakes 0.5 tsp
  • dried oregano 1 tsp
  • fresh parsley (chopped) 0.25 cup
Nutrition summary
Carbohydrates 21 g 22%
Protein 39 g 42%
Fat 11 g 36%
Serving size 450g
Cooking steps
  1. 1

    Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add chopped onion, fennel, celery, and bell pepper; sauté for 8 minutes until vegetables soften, stirring occasionally to prevent browning.

  2. 2

    Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute, being careful not to let the garlic brown.

  3. 3

    Stir in diced tomatoes, dry white wine, seafood stock, bay leaf, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the broth to reduce slightly.

  4. 4

    Add clams and mussels to the simmering broth. Cover and cook for 5–6 minutes over medium-high heat, just until shells open. Remove any unopened shellfish.

  5. 5

    Gently add the shrimp, crab, and white fish to the pot. Simmer uncovered for another 4–6 minutes, stirring once or twice, until shrimp turn pink and fish is opaque but not falling apart.

  6. 6

    Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt or pepper as needed. Ladle stew into bowls, discarding bay leaf, and finish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot immediately with crusty bread if desired.

Personalized Q&A
Q. What's the key ingredient in this Cioppino recipe?
The defining ingredients in this Cioppino are the fresh seafood elements—crab, shrimp, clams, mussels, and white fish—combined in a rich tomato-wine broth. This mix of seafood provides the unmistakable ocean flavor and succulent texture that makes Cioppino unique.
Q. What cooking technique ensures the seafood isn't overcooked in this stew?
The recipe adds shellfish first and brings the broth to a simmer with precise timing, then introduces shrimp, crab, and white fish at the end. This staged addition, plus gentle simmering rather than boiling, ensures each type of seafood cooks through perfectly without becoming rubbery or dry.
Q. How can I prevent the shellfish from becoming tough or chewy?
Add the clams and mussels to simmering broth, cover, and remove them as soon as they open. Then, gently simmer shrimp, crab, and fish just until shrimp are pink and fish is opaque; avoid over-stirring or prolonging heat, as overcooking will lead to a tough texture.
Q. How many calories and grams of protein are in each serving of this Cioppino?
Each serving (450g) of this Cioppino provides about 370 kcal and 39 grams of protein. Protein accounts for roughly 42% of the total caloric content, making this a high-protein, nutrient-dense dish.
Q. Which seasonings contribute most to the flavor profile of the soup?
Dried oregano, red pepper flakes, garlic, and a finishing sprinkle of fresh parsley give the broth Mediterranean brightness and a subtle heat, complementing the delicate seafood without overpowering it.
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