Bouillabaisse is a hearty French seafood stew, similar to cioppino but further characterized by the addition of saffron and a fish stock/white wine base as the broth. Fennel and orange peels are also ingredients that are common to a French bouillabaisse and are included in the recipe below.
Table of Contents: The Recipe | What is Bouillabaisse? | Type of Seafood to Use | Low Carb? | Tips for Cooking
This post may contain affiliate links (at no cost to you). Here’s our disclosure information
What Exactly is Bouillabaisse?
While the fish itself can be quite similar in various seafood stews, the broth is where the classic seafood stews make their stand.
A classic French bouillabaisse broth would be characterized by a homemade fish stock with perhaps the addition of some white wine. Another key ingredient to a bouillabaisse stock is saffron.
Chowders tend to have a cream base, while cioppino has a tomato base, Brazilian fish stew ( moqueca) has a coconut milk base, and Thai curry fish stews have a curry/coconut milk base.
Of course there is a fish stew indigenous to just about every region, but those are the ones I am most familiar with.
In addition to the fish stock and the saffron, a classic bouillabaisse will most likely include fennel and orange peels.
There are, of course, cultural distinctions between these fish stews. Understanding the differences between a bouillabaisse and a cioppino for example is often dependent on regional availability of key ingredients.
What Kind of Fish is Best in a Bouillabaisse?
To get really technical, an “authentic” bouillabaisse cannot be made outside of Provence because it must include Provence’s indigenous scorpion fish.
In the states, a snapper or sea bass is frequently used as a substitute for scorpion fish.
The main thing that most fish stew aficionados agree on is that oily fish like salmon is a travesty in a bouillabaisse. If you don’t have access to scorpian fish and you avoid oily fish like salmon, then just about any seafood is a go.
I like to start with white fish like cod, snapper, halibut and maybe tilapia. After cooking the white fish for a few minutes I will add some shrimp and mussels. If lobster or crab is available, all the better!
How to Make Bouillabaisse Low Carb
It is quite easy to make bouillabaisse low carb ….just avoid adding potatoes. Most of the other ingredients are low carb compliant and shouldn’t be a problem on low carb, slow carb or keto lifestyles.
3 Keys to Making Great Seafood Stews (of any kind)
- the flavor of the broth is key. Often, seafood can become somewhat bland and needs a flavorful broth to enhance it. Taste as you go and if the broth is too bland for you, add something spicy or perhaps some more anise-flavored liqueur. For a spicier fish stew, check out this Mexican Fish Stew
- Seafood cooks very quickly and it is easy to overcook it and get a rubbery texture. Simmer the broth a long time to meld all the flavors but only add the seafood in the last 3-5 minutes
- Don’t forget the salt. This goes hand in hand with #1. Salt can bring out the more subtle and delicate flavors which is desirable. Salt and taste as you go.
More Great Low Carb Seafood Dishes:
Or try a Paella
Cod with Spanish Pil Pil Sauce
Or try this Pistachio-Crusted fish dinner, or these Mexican Fish Tacos
Last but not least, use this low carb breading on any of your favorite fish dishes to add some great texture without going over the low carb limits.
Recipe for Low Carb Bouillabaisse
Low Carb Bouillabaisse
Equipment
Ingredients
- ¼ tsp saffron
- 2 cups white wine divided
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 bulb fennel chopped
- 3 stalks celery chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 3 sprigs thyme
- 3 sprigs parsley
- 2 Tbsp Pernod or other anise-flavored liqueur
- 5 orange peels from 1/2 orange
- 2 cups clam juice or home-made fish stock
- 2 tsp salt or to taste
- 3 lbs white fish some combination of cod, snapper, halibut, or monkfish
- ½ lb mussels
- ½ lb shrimp
- ¼ tsp cayenne optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl or glass, add 1/4 tsp saffron to 1/2 cup white wine and set aside1/4 tsp saffron, 2 cups white wine
- Heat oil in a large pot over med-high and then add chopped fennel, celery, onions. Saute mixture until translucent (about 5 minutes). Add chopped garlic for 30 seconds to a minute.2 Tbsp olive oil, 1 bulb fennel, 3 stalks celery, 1 onion, 3-4 cloves garlic
- Add next 8 ingredients (tomato paste through salt) to the pot and bring to a low boil. Turn down heat and simmer broth for about 30 minutes. If you want more liquid in the soup, add another cup of water, clam juice or wine at this point.1 Tbsp tomato paste, 14 oz diced tomatoes, 3 sprigs thyme, 3 sprigs parsley, 2 Tbsp Pernod, 5 orange peels, 2 cups clam juice, 2 tsp salt
- Taste the broth for salt and flavor. If desired, add the cayenne and/or more salt or Pernod.1/4 tsp cayenne, 2 Tbsp Pernod
- Add the white fish to the pot and cook for 3-5 minutes, until no longer transcluent. Be careful not to overcook. Add shrimp and mussels to the pot and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.3 lbs white fish, 1/2 lb mussels, 1/2 lb shrimp
- Taste again for seasoning and adjust to your taste. Serve with low carb almond flour crackers if low carb. Otherwise, serve with crusty French bread.
Video
Nutrition
Online Diet/Health Coaching:
Although I am not currently taking clients for diet & health coaching, I have been a coach for many years with the online service called coach.me. It is a great platform for all kinds of coaching – anything from specific diets, writing a blog, getting up early, or getting rid of that pesky procrastination.
There are some wonderful coaches and the testimonials will tell you what you need to know. Contact me at [email protected] to get a referral to some of the tested, experienced online coaches on Coach.me
If you’d like to start with a plan for a low carb or keto lifestyle, check out this detailed guide in ebook form. It may be all you need to lose weight on this lifestyle. Or it may be used as a supplement to one-to-one coaching.
Marky
Sunday 19th of September 2021
How is this low carb at 15g net carbs?
dorothy stainbrook
Sunday 19th of September 2021
I think 15g carbs for a dinner is actually very low carb! If you are doing keto the standard goal is to stay under 30g carbs for the whole day. If you are just striving for a low carb lifestyle, you can easily stay low carb with a total of 50 - 100 grams of carbs for the whole day. Low carb is not “no-carb”
Sophia Grace
Monday 20th of January 2020
What a cute dish! Thanks for the recipe and the explanation of how the fish stews are different. This looks so good, can't wait to try.
dorothy stainbrook
Monday 20th of January 2020
I love that dish Sophia! Found it at a thrift store :). Let me know how the stew turns out for you....I’d love to know if you made any substitutions. Thanks!