Make dining fun, enjoyable, and relaxing with Red Bream Stew at home!
Whenever you want to feel like you’re in the Caribbean or in Africa, cook red bream into a stew for a sumptuous meal. The red bream is a great twist to your diet and cooking it in sauce makes it so much better.
One spoonful can make you realize why it’s one of the best soups and stews for everyone. It will truly bring out the best in red bream that will convince you to add more fish to your recipes.

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A one-pot recipe, like the Red Bream Stew, can make all of your guests feel at home. It’s the perfect dish to serve on a cozy night of dining in your house with your favorite people!
How to Make Red Bream Stew
If you’re not used to cooking fish recipes, then this beginner-friendly dish is the perfect way to start. All it takes is a bit of marinating and stewing to make fantastic Red Bream Stew!
Ingredients
Remember these ingredients when you want to try Red Bream Stew:
Red bream fish
What makes red bream fish special? It’s a mildly sweet, firm, and flaky fish with an appetizing color! You can also grill, roast, steam, poach, or stew this fish to bring out its amazing flavor and texture.
According to Fresh Fish Daily, red bream fish is healthy because it’s low in calories yet high in vitamins. It is also known to boost immunity and prevent heart problems and cancer.
You can serve it with flavorful dishes from Caribbean, Mediterranean, African, or Asian cuisines! Cook bream with vegetables and creamy sauces for a truly heart meal.
Pepper sauce
Make pepper sauce like a pro using red bell peppers, scotch bonnets, tomatoes, and onions. The sweet, spicy, and pungent flavors will also coat the fish perfectly for a good quality stew.
Moreover, homemade pepper sauce that is fruit based is good for your heart, brain, immunity, and gut. You can season it with your favorite herbs and spices for better flavor!
This is also my go-to sauce for Smoked Mackerel Stew, Jollof Rice, and Egusi Soup.
Lemon
You will need freshly squeezed lemon juice to marinate the red bream fish. It also lessens the fishy taste and smell of the dish to infuse it with the flavor of the pepper sauce.
No matter what type of fish you cook, you can squeeze in some lemon juice for a better experience.
Seasonings
Improve the quality of the Red Bream Stew with herbs and spices. In this recipe, I suggest using mixed herbs, curry powder, stock cubes, and sea salt. These also give the dish a smoky and savory flavor.
You can try other seasonings that suits your preferences, too.
Sunflower oil
Cook the sauce and fish in sunflower oil. Its high smoke point makes it perfect for slow-cooked dishes like this stew.

Can you believe these are all you need to make Red Bream Stew? It may not have lots of toppings, but it is certainly bursting with flavor!
Directions
Put on your apron, and start cooking this amazing Red Bream Stew.
Marinate the fish
- Clean and rinse the fresh red bream fish in cold water.
- Place the fish in a bowl of cold water.
- Then, season it with salt and lemon juice.
- Let it marinate for at least 2 hours.
Cook the Red Bream Stew
- Heat oil in a pot.
- Pour in the pepper sauce.
- Cover the pot with a lid and cook for ten minutes.
- Season it with curry powder, mixed herbs, sea salt, and stock cubes.
- Then, cook it for ten more minutes.
- Taste and season as needed.
- Reduce the fire to low heat and cook for five more minutes.
- Add the seasoned fish to the stew.
- Cover the fish with the sauce using a spoon.
- Cook it for five more minutes or until done.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes!
How much did you love your first taste of Red Bream Stew? It’s truly one of the best dishes to cook when you’re craving fish!
Tips
Buying fish
- Fish For Thought suggests buying fish with clear and bright eyes.
- Check if the gills are red.
- Ensure that the scales are attached to the fish.
- The skin should also feel slippery and moist.
- The fish’s tail and flesh should feel firm.
Storing fish
- Rinse and dry the fish.
- Then, wrap it in cling film.
- Put the fish in a resealable bag or freezer bag.
- Refrigerate it for two days or freeze it for three months.
Making pepper sauce
Tomatoes, scotch bonnet, red bell peppers, and a small onion are all that you need to make tasty and healthy pepper sauce! Here’s how you can turn them into a sauce:
- Deseed and chop the tomatoes, scotch bonnet, and red bell peppers using a knife.
- Then, peel and slice the onion.
- Blend them in a blender until smooth.
- Store it in a container for future use.
Red Bream Stew Variations
The best thing about stew recipes like this Red Bream Stew is that you can prepare them differently. For instance, you can use other fish instead of red bream fish. You may use croaker, tilapia, salmon, halibut, sea bass, cod, and more!
Furthermore, you can add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, olives, squash, and other ingredients for stewing. Meanwhile, try adding paprika, all-purpose seasoning, or chili flakes!
Recommended Tools
- Pot: Cook the Red Bream Stew in a pot.
- Spoon: Stir the stew using a spoon.
- Bowl: Marinate the fish in a bowl.
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How to Serve Red Bream Stew
Whether you’re cooking it for lunch or dinner, the Red Bream Stew will surely taste incredible. It’s one of the best dishes to serve on a date or a gathering with the entire family.
Serving Red Bream Stew can be exciting every time because of the different side dishes you can pair it with. It’s perfect for lunch and dinner with any of the following dishes:
Meanwhile, here are the best drinks and juices you can enjoy with this stew:
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: Eat the Red Bream Stew for the best flavors and texture within two hours.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to cook red bream?
There are so many ways to cook red bream. For instance, you can grill it for only five minute with your favorite herbs and spices. You can also deep fry it for a crunchy texture outside and a tender feeling inside.
For me, the best way to cook red bream is to stew it. All you have to add is a flavorful sauce that will make the fish taste better.
Is red bream fish healthy?
Red bream fish is certainly healthy! It has vitamins and minerals to nourish your heart and brain. This dish also boosts your immunity to keep you active and well.
What is the best way to eat bream?
It depends on your preference. For instance, you can go for a diet-friendly dish by steaming it. In case you want a slight crunch to the dish, deep fry, roast, or grill it. Otherwise, stew the red bream for a smoky, soft, and savory dish!
How to prepare bream for cooking?
Start by removing the scales and gut of the fish. You can also choose to remove the heat or tail of the bream. Slice it into pieces, depending how on how small or large you want.

Red Bream Stew (VIDEO)
Ingredients
Pepper sauce
- 2 red bell peppers
- 4 tomatoes
- 2 scotch bonnets
- 1 onion
Fish
- 12 pieces red bream (fresh or frozen)
- ½ lemon (fresh)
- 1 tsp sea salt
Seasonings
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp mixed herbs
- 2 stock cubes
- ½ tsp sea salt
Oil
- ½ cup sunflower oil
Instructions
Marinate the fish
- Clean and rinse the fresh red bream fish in cold water.
- Place the fish in a bowl of cold water. Season it with salt and lemon juice.
- Let it marinate for at least 2 hours.
Cook the Red Bream Stew
- Heat oil in a pot.
- Pour in the pepper sauce.
- Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 10 minutes.
- Season it with curry powder, mixed herbs, sea salt, and stock cubes.
- Cook it for ten more minutes.
- Taste and season as needed.
- Reduce the fire to low heat and cook for five more minutes.
- Add the seasoned fish to the stew.
- Cover the fish with the sauce using a spoon.
- Cook it for five more minutes.
- Serve with your favorite side dishes!
Video
Notes
- Buy red bream fish with clear eyes, intact scales, and firm flesh.
- If you don’t have a blender, then use a food processor instead. Alternatively, make the sauce with a knife, grater, or mortar and pestle.
- Marinate the fish in lemon juice to lessen the fishy smell and taste.