"Tiu Ba La Quieba" Island-Inspired Braised Red Snapper in Coconut Sauce (Pescado en Coco)

Looking for an easy coconut fish recipe for dinner tonight? This island-inspired braised red snapper in coconut sauce (Pescado en Coco) is perfect!

Red snapper fillets are slowly braised and basted in a creamy coconut sauce, then served with white rice. It's an easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love.

Red snapper is a fairly meaty fish, making it ideal for braising. This dish pairs the fish with a coconut sauce, infusing it with flavor while helping to keep it moist. The sauce also helps to introduce some additional texture and depth of flavor.

The coconut milk makes the sauce slightly creamy, while the addition of the onions, peppers, and achiote give it texture, aroma, and flavor. Red snapper braised in coconut sauce is a simple yet flavorful dish that is sure to please any palate.

What Is Pescado en Coco?

Pescado en Coco is a dish common in the Caribbean and coastal South America. Different countries make a version where the base ingredients are meaty white fish, coconut milk, herbs, and spices. It's a delicious dish that is easy to make.

I used red snapper because it's not salmon lol and it's readily available. If you're not familiar with snapper get familiar with a few easy recipes like grilled jerk snapper and air fryer fish tacos.

Coconut as a flavor is one we probably don't use enough. I'm an island guy in terms of travel so it's always on my radar. Low key it's a great add to overnight oatmeal.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with coconut fish)

Marcos Valle's "Tiu Ba La Quieba" is the vibe with this dish. The fish is delicious. The lightness of the fish is enhanced with the creamy rich coconut sauce.

Ingredients Needed To Make This Coconut Fish Dish

For the Fish

• Red Snapper Fish Fillets
• Lime Juice
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper

For the Coconut Sauce

• Canned Coconut Milk
• Achiote (Annatto Seeds)
• Olive Oil
• Yellow Onions
• Garlic Cloves
• Bell Peppers - I like to use a mix of colors for visual appeal.
• Kosher Salt
• Black Pepper
• Dried Oregano
• Ground Cumin
• Fresh Cilantro

How To Cook Fish In Coconut Sauce (step by step)

Marinate the Fish

Place snapper fillets in a glass baking dish. Pour lime juice all over the fish then season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

Make the Achiote Oil

Place the annatto seeds in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil and give the pan a swirl making sure the pan is fully covered with the oil. Simmer for a few minutes stirring once or twice. The oil should turn a dull orange or near. Set aside.

Make Garlic Paste

Using a mortar and pestle mash up the garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper into a smooth thick paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle place all the ingredients in a plastic ziplock bag then use a rolling pin to mash and form the paste.

Make The Coconut Milk Sauce

Heat the achiote oil in a large heavy bottom skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and peppers then saute 4-5 minutes stirring occasionally. Onions should be a bit translucent.

Add the garlic paste to the pan with the vegetables. Saute another 3-4 minutes.

Add coconut milk and cilantro. Stir constantly until the sauce thickens a bit. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Add more salt or pepper depending on taste.

Cook the Fish

Remove the snapper from the marinade. Add to the skillet with the coconut mixture skin side up. Cover, reduce heat, and cook on low heat for 10-12 minutes. Fish should flake pretty easily.

After about 5-6 minutes of cooking use a spoon and baste the sauce on top of the fish every few minutes. Remove from the pan to a large plate. Serve with white rice and garnish with more cilantro and lime wedges

Cooking Tips and Considerations for Cooking Fish With Coconut

Annatto normally comes in seeds, but you may come across it in ground form. Either is fine.

I used olive oil to make the achiote oil because that's what I had on hand, but a good neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or grapeseed works fine.

Coconut milk and coconut cream are not the same. Make sure you get the former. I prefer full-fat coconut milk, but feel free to use a lighter version.

Go with fresh fish and choose the freshest you can find. I like red snapper, but this coconut sauce pairs well with any white fish like grouper, halibut, or cod. It also pairs well with other seafood like shrimp and scallops.

I used a combination of different colored bell peppers. I'm partial to red bell pepper but liked the mixture because it adds to the visual appeal of the dish.

Don't cook the sauce at too hot a temperature as the sauce will brown essentially burning.

For dramatic effect, you could cook a whole red snapper, but fresh fish fillets are more practical and easier to cook.

The coconut flavor is the foundation for this dish. It gives it that Caribbean vibe and makes the dish a bit more festive.

Serve with coconut rice and a little lime juice to break through the saturated fat of the coconut milk.

Reserve the leftover coconut milk sauce and use it as a sauce in other dishes.

If you got room left, chase this down with a very tart but delicious key lime pie.

Frequently Asked Questions About Making Fish In Coconut Sauce

Can I Use Low Fat Coconut Milk?

This is perfectly ok though my preference is full fat version for the bigger flavor.

What other types of fish work in this dish?

Though the recipe calls for red snapper, feel free to use other meaty white fish. Fresh fish is preferred so go with the freshest white fish available to you whether thats halibut, cod, grouper, flounder, etc.

Where can I find Annatta Seeds?

Annatta seeds are typically in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. If not, you might find them in the international or Hispanic section of a grocery store. In some markets you can find pre-packaged achiote oil.

For Similar Recipes Try These:

Coconut Shrimp Curry

Curried Collard Greens

Coconut Curry Chicken

Brazilian Fish Stew

Colombian Seafood Stew

Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Make This Recipe

This coconut sauce recipe is a delicious way to make fish. The sauce is made with ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store. This recipe is also relatively simple to make, so it can be a good choice for busy weeknights. Give this recipe a try the next time you're looking for an easy and tasty dinner option.

If you make this coconut fish recipe or any other recipe please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

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