Bahian Shrimp Moqueca is a traditional Brazilian seafood dish from Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, made with fresh shrimp, coconut milk, tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and dendê oil. This flavorful Brazilian recipe reflects Bahia’s strong African cultural influences and is traditionally served with rice.
By Lindenberg Junior
The recipe reflects Bahia’s strong African cultural influences, particularly through the use of dendê oil and malagueta pepper
Many types of fish, shellfish and chicken can be made into moquecas. This dish is native to the state of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil, where cooking with creamy coconut milk is part of everyday culinary traditions.
Other common ingredients used in Bahia, a state with strong African cultural influences, include dendê oil, famous for its rich consistency and golden color, and the very hot malagueta peppers.
Below, check the ingredients you will need and learn how to prepare a traditional Bahian shrimp moqueca.
Ingredients for Bahian Shrimp Moqueca
Makes 6 servings.
For this Brazilian shrimp moqueca, you will need 2 pounds of fresh medium shrimp; 4 limes; 500 ml of coconut milk; 2 onions, with 1½ minced and ½ sliced; 3 cloves of minced garlic; 4 tomatoes, with 3 diced and 1 sliced; 2 red bell peppers, with 1½ diced and ½ sliced; 1 chile pepper, preferably malagueta if available; 1 bouquet of cilantro, minced; olive oil; dendê oil; and salt to taste.
How to Make Bahian Shrimp Moqueca
1. Prepare and Marinate the Shrimp
Devein and rinse the shrimp in cold water.
Place the shrimp in fresh lime juice and allow them to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
2. Sauté the Vegetables
Coat the bottom of a large, heavy skillet with olive oil and heat over medium-high heat.
Add the minced onions, garlic, diced tomatoes, diced bell peppers, chile pepper and cilantro.
Sauté until the onions become translucent. Add salt to taste.
3. Add the Coconut Milk and Dendê Oil
Pour in the coconut milk and add a drizzle of dendê oil.
Cook for approximately 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
Dendê oil is one of the ingredients that gives Bahian moqueca its characteristic flavor, color and connection to the culinary traditions of northeastern Brazil.
4. Add the Shrimp
Add the marinated shrimp to the cooked vegetables.
Cover the shrimp with the sliced onions, tomatoes and bell peppers.
Cook until the shrimp turn pink and begin to curl. Add more salt if necessary.
Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough.
How to Serve Bahian Shrimp Moqueca
Serve the luscious coconut shrimp over a bed of rice.
The rice absorbs the flavorful coconut-based sauce and makes a simple and traditional accompaniment to this Bahian dish.
Brazilian Moqueca and the Flavors of Bahia
Moqueca is an important part of Brazilian cuisine and can be prepared in different ways depending on the region and ingredients used.
This version highlights the flavors associated with Bahia, particularly coconut milk, dendê oil, malagueta pepper, cilantro and seafood.
The combination reflects the multicultural history of Bahian cuisine, in which Indigenous, African and Portuguese influences have contributed to the food traditions found throughout the state.
For Brazilians living in the United States, preparing a Bahian shrimp moqueca can also be a way to bring a familiar Brazilian flavor to the dinner table using ingredients that are increasingly available in American supermarkets and specialty stores.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
1. What is Bahian shrimp moqueca?
Bahian shrimp moqueca is a traditional Brazilian seafood dish from Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. It is prepared with shrimp, coconut milk, vegetables, dendê oil, peppers and herbs and is commonly served with rice.
2. What ingredients are used in Bahian shrimp moqueca?
The main ingredients include fresh shrimp, coconut milk, lime, onions, garlic, tomatoes, red bell peppers, malagueta pepper, cilantro, olive oil, dendê oil and salt.
3. What gives Bahian moqueca its distinctive flavor?
The combination of coconut milk, dendê oil, malagueta pepper, cilantro and fresh seafood creates the characteristic tropical and savory flavor associated with Bahian-style moqueca.
4. What do you serve with shrimp moqueca?
This recipe recommends serving the coconut shrimp over rice, which absorbs the flavorful sauce. Other Brazilian versions may also be served with additional traditional side dishes.
5. Can moqueca be made with ingredients other than shrimp?
Yes. Moquecas can be prepared with different types of fish, shellfish and chicken. The ingredients and preparation can vary according to the type of moqueca and regional Brazilian traditions.
