Tuesday, March 17, 2026
HomeseafoodNew to Cioppino? Begin with Our Easy, Taste-Packed Recipe

New to Cioppino? Begin with Our Easy, Taste-Packed Recipe


Welcome, Seafoodies!

Let’s play a fast sport. We’ll say a phrase and also you inform us the very first thing that involves thoughts.

Pizza—tacky, comforting, possibly your go-to Friday night time dinner.

Pasta—cozy, carb-y and all the time a crowd-pleaser.

Chowder—creamy, heat and ideal for cold nights.

Now… cioppino.

If that phrase made you pause—or suppose, Wait, what’s that?—you’re not alone. Cioppino isn’t a type of dishes we hear about daily, however as soon as you recognize it, you’ll surprise why it hasn’t been in your dinner rotation all alongside. And that’s precisely what you’ll be pondering after you strive our newest recipe! 

Cioppino is a hearty seafood stew with Italian-American roots, and its origin story is as comforting because the dish itself. Born alongside the docks of San Francisco within the late 1800s, the stew traces again to Italian immigrant fishermen and a convention of looking for each other. When a fisherman got here again from an extended day at sea empty-handed, he would seize his pot and stroll across the docks, asking fellow fishermen to chip in no matter contemporary catch they might spare. No matter made it into the pot—fish, shellfish, clams, mussels—grew to become his “cioppino.” And the generosity didn’t cease there: any fisherman who contributed totally anticipated the identical therapy if he ever got here again empty-handed himself. It was a phenomenal, community-driven system that turned one robust day right into a heat, hearty meal. Over time, this humble fisherman’s custom advanced into one in all San Francisco’s most iconic dishes as Italian eating places started popping up all through the town. 

Consider it because the West Coast’s reply to bouillabaisse—a wealthy tomato-based broth swimming with mussels, clams, white fish, shrimp and scallops. Whereas it would sound like one thing you’d solely order at a elaborate restaurant, our model makes this recipe as simple as its humble roots. 

The flavors construct in layers: fragrant greens sautéed till smooth, garlic and herbs releasing their perfume, white wine and tomatoes—all coming collectively into that signature wealthy broth, then seafood added in strategically in order that all the things simmers to a flawless end.

And like its origin story, we love embracing the pliability of not planning forward precisely what leads to your pot. Use no matter seafood appears freshest at your market (or is already sitting in your fridge)—our recipe contains mussels, clams, cod, shrimp and scallops, however you may swap in halibut as an alternative of cod, add some crab or embrace no matter else catches your eye. The tomato-wine broth acts as the proper backdrop, enhancing each ingredient with out overwhelming delicate flavors.

Serve this stew with crusty bread for absorbing each final drop, possibly a easy inexperienced salad on the aspect—and also you’ve received a beautiful meal that feels elevated sufficient for firm however simple sufficient for a mean weeknight. Plus, you’re getting high-quality protein from a number of seafood sources, omega-3 fatty acids for coronary heart and mind well being and nutritional vitamins and minerals like selenium, B12 and iron. The tomato base contributes lycopene and vitamin C, whereas all these fragrant greens add antioxidants and taste depth. The entire thing occurs in a single pot, which means minimal cleanup, which, when used collectively, are two of our favourite phrases!

This is perhaps your first time making cioppino, however we assure it gained’t be your final—particularly as soon as your loved ones and associates style how good it’s.

Ciao!

Print

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  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium candy onion, diced
  • 1 medium inexperienced bell pepper, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon crushed crimson pepper flakes
  • 1 sprint cayenne pepper
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly floor black pepper
  • ½ cup dry white wine (can use ½ cup extra inventory or broth instead of white wine)
  • 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 cups vegetable inventory or broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 (10-ounce) can minced clams, drained with juice reserved
  • ½ pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded*
  • 1 pound cod, halibut or different white fish fillets, lower into ¾ inch items
  • ½ pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 10 ounces medium sea scallops
  • 2 tablespoons contemporary parsley leaves, chopped

  1. Warmth oil in a big pot or Dutch oven over medium warmth. Sauté onion and bell pepper till smooth, about 5 minutes.
  2. Add garlic, oregano, thyme, crushed crimson pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper. Prepare dinner for a further 2 to three minutes, till garlic is smooth.
  3. Stir in wine, tomatoes, inventory or broth, tomato paste, bay leaf and reserved clam juice. Deliver to a boil; cut back warmth to medium-low and simmer till flavors have blended, about quarter-hour.
  4. Stir in clams and mussels. Cut back warmth to low, cowl with lid and prepare dinner till mussels are simply starting to open, about 4 minutes.
  5. Add in white fish, shrimp and scallops. Stir gently to mix. 
  6. Enhance warmth to medium and simmer till seafood is cooked by and mussels have totally opened, about 5 minutes. Discard any unopened mussels.
  7. Stir in parsley and serve instantly.

 

*To wash and debeard mussels, run mussels beneath chilly operating water for about 5 minutes. Scrub with sponge or brush. Discard any open mussels. Then pull on beard to take away and mussels are prepared to make use of in recipe.

Notes

Really helpful Tools: giant pot or Dutch oven, reducing board, knife, spatula or spoon to stir



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