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Brudet (Fish Stew)

Croatian Brudet (Fish Stew)

Brudet is a traditional Croatian fish stew simmered with mixed seafood tomato wine and herbs creating a rich aromatic broth served with bread or polenta for a true Adriatic dining experience
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Croatia
Servings 4
Calories 658 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the stew

  • 1 kg mixed Adriatic fish such as monkfish, scorpionfish, sea bass, or hake, cut into large chunks
  • 300 g squid cleaned and sliced into rings
  • 300 g prawns or scampi cleaned
  • 3 medium onions finely chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves minced
  • 400 g ripe tomatoes peeled and chopped (or 1 tin good quality tomatoes)
  • 3 tbsp tomato paste
  • 200 ml dry white wine
  • 500 ml fish stock or water if unavailable
  • 80 ml olive oil
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 handful fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

For serving

  • Crusty bread or polenta

Instructions
 

  • To begin, clean and cut the fish into large chunks, keeping the skin and bones for flavour. Clean squid and prawns, ensuring shells are removed but heads can be kept for extra taste. Move on to preparing the base.
  • Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot. Add the onions and cook gently until golden and soft. This creates the flavour foundation. Transition to adding garlic and tomatoes.
  • Stir in the garlic, fresh tomatoes, and tomato paste. Cook until the tomatoes break down into a thick sauce. This base is key for the stew’s rich colour. Proceed to adding wine.
  • Pour in the white wine and let it simmer for 2–3 minutes to cook off the alcohol. This deepens the flavour. Transition to seasoning.
  • Add bay leaves, oregano, red wine vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine before adding liquid. Transition to adding stock.
  • Pour in fish stock and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow the sauce to reduce slightly for 10 minutes. This forms the broth. Next, add the fish.
  • Carefully place the chunks of fish into the pot, followed by squid and prawns. Do not stir; instead, gently shake the pot to avoid breaking the fish. Transition to simmering.
  • Cover the pot partially and simmer gently for 25–30 minutes. The fish will release natural juices, enriching the stew. Avoid stirring to preserve texture.
  • In the final minutes of cooking, sprinkle chopped parsley over the stew. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Transition to serving.
  • Serve Brudet hot with slices of rustic bread or a side of creamy polenta. Presentation tip: serve directly from the pot at the table for authenticity, letting diners enjoy the aroma as it is uncovered.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 658kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 71gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 469mgSodium: 1147mgPotassium: 1560mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1419IUVitamin C: 27mgCalcium: 194mgIron: 4mg
Keyword fish stew
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