Moqueca de Camarão: Brazilian Shrimp Soup

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Colder weather is upon us, which means it’s soup season! One of my favourites is Brazilian shrimp soup. 

While you may consider Brazil a country of sand and sun this is a dish from the Northeast region of Bahia that’s common in fall and winter.

One of the reasons I love South America is that it is so diverse in culture and history.

Brazil’s story is complex with influences from the indigenous culture, invading Portuguese and African slaves.  

The food reflects this history and makes for dishes that aren’t well-known in other regions of Brazil.

Brazilian cuisine, You don't want to leave Brazil without trying these 23 dishes.

Influences on Brazilian Cuisine

Brazilian cuisine is literally a melting pot of cultures that brought ingredients and techniques from their native lands.

The biggest culinary influence in modern cuisine is from the African slaves who were brought to work in the sugarcane fields, coffee plantations, gold mines and to cook for their masters.

Beginning in 1530, nearly 4 million slaves came from West Africa until abolition in 1888.

With a mass influx of slaves over the years there wasn’t the same segregation that existed in South Africa or the United States.

And so over generations there were interracial marriages and today many Brazilians have some African heritage in their family tree.

Today the Afro-Brazilian culture is strong in Salvador, the capital of Bahia.

Most of the great traditional Brazilian foods, like the Brazilian shrimp soup known as moqueca de camarão were created in this state.

This Brazilian cuisine reflects the indigenous, African and Portuguese history.

 Brazilian shrimp soup, also known as moqueca de camaro, is a one-post dish and takes less than 20 minutes to make.

Moqueca – One of Brazil’s Most Important Dishes

Also known as muqueca, moqueca (moe-KAY-cuh) is a seafood soup/stew/chowder traditionally slow cooked in a terra cotta dish.

Found throughout Brazil, each coastal village having its own distinct recipe.

The two most well-known moqueca are moqueca capixaba from the South and moqueca bahiana from the North.
 

EASY RECIPE:  Nova Scotia Fish Cakes

 
The Bahia version more strongly reflects the influence of Afro-Brazilian cooks as it uses what is known as “the trinity” of palm oil, coconut milk and malagueta chile peppers.

Moqueca first appeared during the colonial period.

It is a perfect storm of combining ingredients as the Portuguese brought coconut trees to Brazil and African slaves introduced palm oil, which gives a distinctive orange colour to the dish.

Brazilian shrimp soup, also known as moqueca de camaro, is a one-post dish and takes less than 20 minutes to make.

Why Coconut Oil Instead of Palm Oil

Known as dendê, palm oil is the world’s most popular vegetables.

Unfortunately it is also an environmental and sustainability disaster.

Palm oil is extracted from the fruit of an African oil palm tree, which is originally from West Africa but now grows anywhere tropical.

19 UNIQUE:
Brazilian Fruits

Most of the commercial palm oil today comes from Indonesia and Malaysia.

Deforestation is a major concern.

The World Wildlife Fund says that 300 football fields of rainforest are cleared every hour for palm oil plantations and the endangerment of many species of animals.

The industry is linked to major issues such as deforestation, habitat degradation, climate change, animal cruelty and indigenous rights abuses in the countries where it is produced.
 

EASY RECIPE: Vegetarian Feijoada

 
Both land and forests must be cleared for the development of the oil palm plantations.

Plantations are often touted as a way to help the economy in rural regions.

However, many indigenous groups are forced off their land, leaving them without any economic benefit or a home.

You can still buy palm oil in Brazilian and African markets but we can do better.

Bahia is known as the Coconut Coast and is the largest producer of coconuts in Brazil.

Substituting coconut oil for the palm oil just makes sense.

This recipe uses Grace Organic Virgin Coconut Oil and Grace Organic Coconut Milk.

You can you can find it in a regular grocery store in the international section.

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Sao Paulo Market
 Brazilian shrimp soup, also known as moqueca de camaro, is a one-post dish and takes less than 20 minutes to make.

What to Serve with Brazilian Shrimp Soup

This is a perfect, healthy weeknight dinner as it takes only one pot and can be made start to finish in 20 minutes.

But in Brazil a moqueca is meant to be shared with friends and family.

If you want to make it a special dinner serve it with traditional accompaniments: white rice and toasted manioc flour (farofa).

This isn’t from Brazil but snow crab cakes would also be fantastic.

A cold pilsner beer or caipirinha cocktail always make for a great pairing.

Shrimp stew called moqueca de Camarão on a baking sheet

Brazilian Shrimp Soup: Moqueca de Camarão

Yield: 4-6 people
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Brazilian shrimp soup is a great dairy-free seafood stew and ready in just 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, such as Grace Foods Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
  • 400 grams shrimp peeled and deveined, thawed from frozen is fine
  • 1 whole green pepper diced
  • .25 cup shallot sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon chili flakes
  • .5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • .5 tsp black pepper finely ground
  • 5 tablespoons cilantro
  • 796 mL can diced tomatoes
  • 1 can coconut milk, such as Grace Foods Organic Coconut Milk
  • 3 tablespoons cilantro for garnish
  • 2 limes 1 cut in half, the second into quarters to garnish

Instructions

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon coconut oil over medium high heat in a heavy bottomed pot. Add shrimp and sear for no more than one minute, stirring often. This gives the shrimp great texture, similar to "browning" meat. You can skip this step and add the shrimp at the end which will cook in the soup but it will have more of a poached texture. Remove and set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon over medium heat in the same pot, add green peppers and shallot. Saute for 2-3 minutes, until shallot is translucent. Add garlic, cayenne pepper, chili flakes, cilantro salt and pepper. Saute 30 seconds, once you smell the garlic it is ready.
  3. Add diced tomatoes, coconut milk and shrimp. Stir to combine and reduce to a simmer to allow flavours to combine. Before serving add the juice of one lime, garnish the bowls with slice of lime on top.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 386Total Fat: 30gSaturated Fat: 26gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 1190mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 4gSugar: 5gProtein: 19g

Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although BaconisMagic.ca attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

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Disclosure: This was a paid partnership with Grace Foods Canada. They invited me to create a recipe using their Organic and Natural Coconut Products. I’ve used their products in the past and am happy to use them for the Brazilian shrimp soup. You can also find Grace Foods Canada on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Brazilian shrimp soup is known as moqueca de camarao and is a one-pot dish that can made in less than 20 minutes.

Join the Conversation

  1. My favorite coconut product is coconut milk, and my favorite dish to make with coconut milk is… soup! This Brazilian Shrimp Soup looks amazing so it’s definitely the first thing I’ll be making if I win. Also, I’ve never baked with coconut sugar but I’ve heard so much about it! I have just the cookie recipe to make with it. Fingers crossed!

  2. This easy Malaysian Laksa is my all time favorite!

  3. I love some 🙂 Spicy flavorful coconut korma with some paneer on it. My all time fav! 🙂 and your picture and recipe looks too good 🙂

  4. I don’t know enough about Brazilian food. What I see looks so spectacular, so I think it might be time to learn more!
    One of my personal favourites is my mussel recipe with coconut milk (and a whole bunch of other stuff). I don’t know what it is exactly, but mussels and coconut milk are made for each other! Here’s the link:

  5. Karen Ahmed says:

    My fave Thai Coconut Chicken soup … especially when it’s cold brrr

  6. Julia (@imagelicious) says:

    I love this pumpkin, sweet potato and coconut milk soup:

    Also, I didn’t know about palm oil. Thank you for sharing that info.

  7. Well, I wasn’t planning on visiting brazil but this post has me reconsidering. It looks scrumptious and I’m all coconut everything. Not only do we eat a LOT of it but we also use it as skin care / healing potions.

    One of my favorite fall recipes is so yummy you’ll want to die!

  8. The foodolic says:

    Coconut and shrimps is a perfect combination, this is a good looking recipe.

  9. Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says:

    Wow! Does this look amazing and so appetizing! We’ve just made this

  10. janet @ the taste space says:

    Oh yum, I love coconut in most of its forms too. What a great prize pack.. it is so much stuff because Grace is so affordable. Here is one of my favorite curries:

  11. Debby Kulchar says:

    My favourite coconut recipe would be a coconut shrimp stir fry with lots of veggies

  12. I love the taste of coconut jasmine rice served with fish

  13. Britney @ Savour and Shine says:

    mmm I love making overnight oats for breakfast with coconut milk! It makes my breakfast so creamy and delicious!

  14. Who can resist? Love your recipe, photos and Grace foods.

    Here’s my favorite:

  15. That Brazilian Shrimp Soup looks so good! My fam would love it.

    My favourite coconut

  16. This soup looks amazing and I’m definitely going to try making it!

    I always have coconut milk on hand, whether I make my own or buy a packaged version. and use it all the time in my morning coffee, making golden milk with turmeric and in all sorts of other recipes including chia pudding

  17. I love the recipe mentioned in the post for Moqueca de Camarão: Brazilian Shrimp Soup!

  18. This curried pumpkin coconut chickpea soup is my favourite. Not only is it delicious but it reminds me of good times with a close friend. Thanks for the opportunity to win this prize pack!

  19. Jo Vanderwolf says:

    I love using coconut oil in my chocolate chip cookies. 🙂

  20. I LOVE this Sweet Potato , Coconut & Lime Soup ! It’s both creamy AND refreshing!

    Cheers,

    Kiki

    1. I love the coconut Jasmine rice mmm good

  21. Roasted Carrot Soup with Coconut Milk

  22. Shweta | Taj Mahal tour by train  says:

    I love some Spicy flavorful coconut korma with some paneer on it. My all time fav! and your picture and recipe looks too awesome. Thank you so much for sharing it.

  23. Really liked learning a little more about Brazilian food culture, and the recipe certainly looks delicious. I think I’ve only tasted this dish once so it’s a good one for me to try and make!

  24. Delicious – love a shrimp soup and that one looks amazing- will be adding that to ones to try at home!

  25. Fiona Maclean says:

    This looks like my kind of recipe! I think I already have almost all the ingredients – so I’ll be trying it soon

  26. anything Thai

  27. Great recipe, and I will be sure to avoid palm oil in the future … soup looks yummy!

  28. website design company in ranchi says:

    My fave Thai Coconut Chicken soup … especially when it’s cold brrr

  29. Aarone Mawdsley says:

    coconut chocolate chip cookies

  30. I love all Grace products, specifically the coconut milk and coconut sugar. I make a fruit cobbler to which I add coconut sugar to the fruit and topping and I also make a banana vanilla pudding with fresh bananas, coconut milk and vanilla.

  31. my favourite recipe that uses coconut milk is using it when making butter chicken

  32. Daniela Plume says:

    I love Basmatti Rice made with coconut milk instead of water. Soooo yummy!

  33. my favourite recipe would be Thai Green curry. Love any curries with coconut milk!

  34. Amy Heffernan says:

    Pineapple coconut muffins!!
    Healthy and YUMMIE! 🙂
    Thanks.
    Email–> [email protected]

  35. Sandi Tymchuk says:

    Pureed dates mixed with chopped almonds and rolled in coconut flakes–delicious!

  36. I love Curried Coconut Sweet Potato Soup using coconut milk.

  37. My favorite recipe with coconut milk is summer squash soup,
    I’ve made quite a few of my own alterations now, it is so delicious!

  38. I have a great coconut banana muffin recipe that I often make. Also any Thai curry made with coconut milk is amazing.

  39. My favourite recipe using cocount milk is Thai Green Curry with Tofu & Rice!

  40. I love recipes that use coconut products. My favourite recipe is Chocolate Coconut Muffins!

  41. coconut angel cream pie – soo good

  42. I use coconut milk in my homemade potato soup and it is delicious!

  43. My favourite is Thai Coconut Chicken soup

  44. Nicole Aben says:

    Our saturday paleo pancake recipe uses coconut oil and coconut flour and they are so delicious!

  45. Cathy Oppedisano says:

    My favourite recipe is Brazilian Shrimp Soup because all the ingredients are my favourites so I know I am liking the soup too.

  46. Coconut Tapioca Pudding with Smoked Sesame Seeds
    Serves 4

    2 cups almond milk, divided
    1/3 cup tapioca pearls
    1 cup coconut milk
    1/4 cup agave syrup
    1 teaspoon vanilla
    1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water mixed in
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    Smoked sesame seeds (for garnish)
    In a large bowl, soak the tapioca overnight (or for at least 4 hours) in 1 cup of the almond milk. When you’re ready to cook, add the other cup of almond milk and warm the tapioca and almond milk mixture over medium heat. Wait until the pudding is boiling, then add the coconut milk, vanilla, and agave. Cook for another 10 or 12 minutes, stirring continuously.
    Finally, add the cornstarch-water mixture and salt, cooking and stirring for five minutes. Cool in a Tupperware or glass bowl for at least an hour before serving. Or eat a little warm, it’s wonderful! When serving, sprinkle a few smoked sesame seeds on top.

  47. I am Portuguese and love shrimp .. will definitely try this brazillian dish.

  48. I love to use coconut milk in curries. Red curry chicken is my fave!

  49. Linda Svarovsky says:

    Curry is our favourite

  50. Cassandra Kazlovskis says:

    My favorite dish is curry. I use coconut milk and coconut oil in it.

  51. I love soup and I love shrimp so my favorite recipe is

  52. Darren Scrubb says:

    The Malaysian Laksa is my favorite

  53. Alison Braidwood says:

    I love anything with coconut in it. Currently a red Thai curry is my fave. I’m also trying to do a keto diet, so I’m using MCT oil in my bulletproof coffee in the morning. Which is surprisingly delicious,

  54. coconut coffee

  55. I have a recipe for banana bread that has shredded coconut and coconut milk in it, it is absolutely delicious.

  56. I’d love to try swapping out regular sugar for coconut sugar in my Skor cookies

  57. CHeryl MacPhail says:

    My fave is my moms coconut cream pie!! 🙂

  58. We love Thai inspired dishes like red curry chicken.

  59. I love coconut macaroons the most.

  60. CAROL ANN WESTBROOK trustee55 says:

    We enjoy coconut sweet potato soup……yummy!

  61. Rebecca Groen says:

    I love drinking grace coconut water on it’s own and I use the coconut oil for cooking with chicken.

  62. I like coconut shrimp and coconut cream pie for dessert

  63. Renee Vanderkuip says:

    Thai coconut curry soup, chicken sate

  64. I like my healthy apricot almond and coconut oil bites.

  65. My favourite recipe that includes coconut is homemade coconut pudding.

  66. gloria konelsky says:

    I like to use coconut milk in my rice pudding recipe.

  67. Bailey Dexter says:

    I’m gluten free and I make this Coconut cake that uses Coconut Milk, it’s so amazing and moist! A real hit with company and family!

  68. Edith Rennes says:

    My favourite recipe for coconut is to make Nanaimo Squares.

  69. karen petrychko says:

    love to make the coconut rice. I just cook my rice in the coconut milk…yum.

  70. I love making Coconut Macaroons. Mmmm..

  71. Robyn Bellefleur says:

    I love to make this Coconut Lime rice

  72. Vegetables curry with coconut milk, coconut oil and dry coconut!

  73. Hospital in Ranchi says:

    My favorite dish is curry. thanks for sharing.

  74. My husband uses coconut oil to pan fry a variety of meals instead of butter.

  75. I love coconut cream pie!

  76. Sweet potato soup with coconut milk!

  77. Nicole Aben says:

    I really love a good coconut Korma loaded with vegetables

  78. I make homemade granola with coconut oil and shredded coconut!

  79. My favourite recipe is my Aunt’s coconut pie.

  80. I like to use coconut in granola and muesli or substitute dairy milk with coconut milk in baking

  81. Stephanie LaPlante says:

    My favorite is Lemon Coconut Squares!

  82. I love using coconut wraps for my fish taco recipe.

  83. Favorite is coconut cream pie.

  84. Edith Rennes says:

    Love Nanaimo Bars with coconut

  85. Doreen Lamoureux says:

    A very simple recipe for me is a green smoothie.
    -protein powder
    coconut oil
    almond milk
    kale or spinach
    oats or bran cereal
    cinnamon
    banana

  86. Shaylene Shantz says:

    I use coconut oil in everything! Literally everything. I would say I love baking with shredded coconut and for a meal I love coconut and chicken curry. Yummy yummy.

  87. i like desserts with coconut milk eg. taro and nuts in coconut sweet syrup! also i like to soak my steel cut oats in coconut milk for a delicious breakfast the next morning

  88. LYNN CLAYTON says:

    coconut milk curry cod fish sweet spicy yummy

  89. I occasionally make a Coconut Shrimp recipe that my mother gave me.

  90. Sarah De Diego says:

    I love coconut cream pie! It would be great to get to try these products. Thanks for hosting.

    Besos Sarah
    Journeys of The Zoo

  91. Coconut milk chai latte

  92. Nicole Aben says:

    Our weekend paleo pancakes use coconut oil, coconut flour, almond flour and eggs and vanilla – so delicious!

  93. Although I haven’t eaten it, I’d love to try Coconut Chicken!

  94. My favourite dish is made with coconut milk. It is a version of butter chicken, but instead of cream, I use coconut milk in it to make it healthier. I also add chopped spinach and chickpeas to up the nutrient factor, and it’s one of my family’s favourite meals!

  95. Juliee Fitze says:

    My favorite recipe to use coconut product with is I make chocolate covered cherry with coconut oil and butter plus cocoa.

  96. I love using coconut oil when popping popcorn!

  97. Edith Rennes says:

    I love coconut in Nanaimo Bars

  98. Rebecca Roberts says:

    My favourite recipe that contains coconut milk is my delicious chicken curry!

  99. Carey Hurst says:

    We use coconut for almost everything. I love my coconut pineapple cake I make . Adding coconut oil to hot chocolate and using coconut whipped cream with chocolate sprinkles so yummy

  100. coconut cream pie

  101. Nicole Aben says:

    Coconut rice is probably my most favourite treat. I add a bit of sugar to mine and it tastes amazing!

  102. Edith Rennes says:

    My favourite is Nanaimo Bars

  103. I love coconut rice!

  104. My two favourite foods combined – coconut shrimp

  105. I love using coconut oil in my recipes and it adds a nice flavour to my Pumpkin Spice Bread.

  106. Thai coconut sweet potato soup

  107. Nicole Aben says:

    We make coconut flour pancakes every saturday and cook them with coconut oil as well.

  108. Serena Debolt says:

    My favorite coconut dish is Thai Coconut Chicken with Cashews

  109. Edith Rennes says:

    Nanaimo Bars is my favourite recipe with coconut.

  110. Carly Zeeman says:

    One of my favorite recipes is with coconut oil! Just air popped popcorn, melted coconut oil and some sea slat! The best snack EVER!

  111. My fave coconut pancakes!

  112. Nicole Aben says:

    cocconut rice is one of my family’s favourite recipes and my trick it to add in a bit of sugar – like a 1/4 cup.

  113. Coconut macaroons are delicious.

  114. Edith Rennes says:

    My favourite recipe for coconut is Nanaimo Bars.

  115. I love swimming rama

  116. I don’t know if there is a “Recipe” for it but I would love to try and make Rice Pudding with coconut oil.

    I see in the comments there are a lot of great uses for it.

    I’ve been wanting to try it and I believe I will soon.

  117. Edith Rennes says:

    My favourite recipe with coconut is Nanaimo Bars

  118. Nicole Aben says:

    Our fav is our weekend paleo pancake recipe that has both coconut oil, and coconut flour – along with eggs, vanilla and almond flour and milk. Our kids love them and so do we!

  119. Nicole Aben says:

    Our family’s pancake recipe with coconut flour, coconut oil and eggs, almond flour, vanilla and milk – its a huge hit on weekends!

  120. Jennifer Abbott says:

    i’m getting hungry looking at all these great recipes but this is my favorite shrimp in thai coconut sauce delicious.

  121. Edith Rennes says:

    My all-time favourite recipe with coconut is Nanaimo Bars

  122. Nicole Aben says:

    My coconut rice recipe is amazing – I use coconut milk and about a 1/4 cup of sugar and rice of course, thats it! , it is so tasty!

  123. Edith Rennes says:

    No question about it…Nanaimo Squares

  124. Nicole Aben says:

    Our fav coconut recipe is our weekend pancake recipe, which is coconut flour, almond flour, eggs, coconut oil, and vanilla! they are delicious

  125. Edith Rennes says:

    I always enjoy coconut in Nanaimo Bars

  126. My coconut rice recipe which is rice, cocconut milk, shredded coconut and about a 1/4 c sugar. So good!

  127. I love to use coconut oil in my homemade nutrigrain bar recipe!

  128. Edith Rennes says:

    As always my favourite treat with coconut is Nanaimo Bars.

  129. rachana oukdom olivier youkheang says:

    Nanaimo Bars wooooow I looove it

  130. I use both coconut oil and coconut flour in my pancake recipe, along with eggs, milk and vanilla and almond flour and they are amazing!

  131. Edith Rennes says:

    My favourite recipe with coconut would be Nanaimo Squares

  132. Kim Hamilton says:

    I love a good stir-fry with pineapple, cooked in coconut milk! the coconut is so good and it works surprisingly well with chicken. And super easy to make too!!

  133. My favorite recipe (and my family’s) is soup based on coconut milk, smoked turkey and wild rice.

  134. I love Mango Coconut Chicken.

  135. Edith Rennes says:

    I use coconut in my Nanaimo Bars…yummmm

  136. Nicole Aben says:

    our family pancake recipe has both coconut oil and coconut flour in it, along wiht almond flour, eggs, vanilla and milk and they are super! the kids love them!

  137. Edith Rennes says:

    I absolutely love Nanaimo Squares with coconut.

  138. I have a pretty good coconut rice recipe that my family loves. Its rice, coconut milk and 1/4 cup of sugar as well as 1/4 cup of shredded coconut.

  139. I use coconut milk in my turkey broth based soups. Better than cream.

  140. chef Mark K says:

    No mention of lime or lime juice but clearly shown in photos.

    1. Ayngelina Author says:

      Huge oversight, thank you so much for commenting. I’m adding it in now.

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