This Classic Spicy Moroccan Fish in Rich Sauce comes together in about 30 minutes and is a one-pot wonder for a quick weeknight meal that your family will love! Switch up the veggies or fish to suit your taste or use it as a ‘clean out the fridge’ meal to get rid of leftovers and odds and ends!
Key Ingredients for This Flavorful Dish
- 1 pound (450g) salmon fillets
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced into strips)
- 1 serrano pepper (or 2 jalapeño peppers, sliced into strips)
- ½ cup chopped cilantro
- 2 carrots (peeled and cut into strips)
- 1 russet potato (peeled and cut into 1” slices, optional)
- 6 garlic cloves (peeled and halved)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¾ to 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
- ½ tablespoon hot paprika (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
How to Make Classic Spicy Moroccan Fish
Alright, let’s dive into the kitchen and whip up this soul-warming dish. It’s pretty quick and easy, I promise!
Heat up your pan : First, grab a large sauté pan and heat it over medium heat, coating the bottom with olive oil (about ⅓ cup). You’re going to want to hear that satisfying sizzle as you add the veggies!
Sauté your veggies : Toss in all the sliced peppers, carrots, and any other veggies you’ve got. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until they start to soften, stirring occasionally. You’ll know it’s time to move on once they start smelling amazing!
Add the spices : Sprinkle in the sweet paprika, salt, cumin, turmeric, and tomato paste. Stir everything together and let it cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant. I love how vibrant the colors become!
Add water and cilantro : Now, stir in about ¾ cup of water (add more if you want it saucier) and half of the chopped cilantro. Cover and let everything simmer for about 12-15 minutes. You want those veggies to be tender but not mushy.
Season your fish : While that’s bubbling away, lightly season your fish fillets with a couple of pinches of salt.
Add the fish : Carefully place your seasoned fish into the pan, spooning some of that flavorful sauce over it. You want it coated, but not submerged. If your sauce seems too dry, add a little more water.
Cover and cook : Cover the pan and turn the heat down low. Let it cook for 20-25 minutes. Halfway through, spoon the sauce over the fish, you want it to soak up all those wonderful flavors!
Finish with a squeeze : Just before serving, grab some lemon slices. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish for a citrusy zing that’s heavenly!
Why I Love This Recipe
You guys, this is my go-to recipe when I need something flavorful yet quick for dinner! It’s like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for those busy weeknights. I’m a real sucker for comfort food, and this dish totally fits the bill. Plus, the best part is you can use whatever you’ve got in the fridge, be it different fish, veggies, or proteins, so it’s always a little different each time!
If you loved this recipe, be sure to check out my Red Snapper with Creamy Creole Sauce, my Asian Chilli Garlic Prawns (Shrimp), or my Moroccan Fish Tagine!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish truly comes together in under 30 minutes! You can have dinner on the table before you know it.
One-Pot Wonder
The beauty of this Classic Spicy Moroccan Fish is that it’s all made in one pot. Minimal clean-up means you can spend more time with your family!
Comfort Food
This dish is loaded with tons of flavor. It’s the ultimate comfort food that warms you from the inside out on chilly nights.
Customizable
The beauty of this recipe? You can play around with ingredients based on what you have. Got an extra zucchini? Toss that in!
Weeknight Dinner
This is perfect for busy weeknights because it’s quick, satisfying, and will leave your family coming back for seconds. Trust me, they’ll ask for this again!
Serving Suggestions
This Moroccan Fish is amazing on its own, but here are some ideas to accompany it:
- Serve with rice or couscous : It’s perfect for soaking up that rich sauce!
- Pair with a simple salad : A light side salad can balance the richness of the dish.
- Crusty bread : You can’t go wrong with a good piece of bread to dip into the sauce!
Storage & Reheating
- How long it keeps: This dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- How to reheat: The best method is to gently reheat it in a pan over low heat, stirring occasionally, to keep your fish from drying out.
- Freezer-friendly: You can freeze this dish! Just make sure to let it cool completely, then store it in an airtight container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
And there you have it a wonderfully easy, spicy, and truly delicious Moroccan fish dish to bring some warmth into your dinner routine! Follow us on Pinterest for daily meal inspiration!
Happy cooking, friends!
Classic Spicy Moroccan Fish in Rich Sauce
Ingredients
Method
- Heat up a large sauté pan over medium heat and coat the bottom with olive oil.
- Add sliced peppers, carrots, and any other veggies you have. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
- Add sweet paprika, salt, cumin, turmeric, and tomato paste. Stir and cook for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Stir in ¾ cup of water and half of the chopped cilantro. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes until veggies are tender.
- Season the fish fillets lightly with salt.
- Carefully lay seasoned fish into the pan, spooning sauce over it. Ensure the fish is coated but not submerged.
- Cover the pan, lower the heat, and cook for 20-25 minutes. Halfway through, spoon sauce over the fish.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the fish just before serving for added flavor.