Name: Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Total time: 2 h 40 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 pound fish, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 bell pepper, diced; 1/2 cup onion, diced; 1 garlic clove, minced; 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 15 ounces diced tomatoes; 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon salt (or more, to taste); 1/2 teaspoon pepper

If you’re searching for a comforting, flavorful meal that feels like a little Mediterranean getaway in your kitchen, then you’re going to adore this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe. I absolutely love how this stew is so simple to pull together, yet full of vibrant flavors and tender fish that melts in your mouth. Trust me, this recipe will quickly become a go-to weeknight dinner you’ll look forward to making over and over.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Effortlessly Flavorful: The slow cooker melds the tomatoes, herbs, and fish juices together perfectly, creating a rich stew with very little hands-on time.
Healthy Comfort Food: This recipe is low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible, so you can dig in guilt-free.
Versatile Cooking Options: Whether you prefer using your slow cooker or Instant Pot, this recipe has you covered with step-by-step instructions.
Family Friendly: My family goes crazy for this stew – it’s mild, comforting, and irresistible with crusty bread or a simple salad.

This image shows a white bowl filled with a chunky soup. The soup has several visible layers: pieces of light beige chicken, bright red tomato chunks, and light green bell pepper pieces mixed throughout. The broth is a warm reddish-brown color, somewhat clear, with some small green herb bits sprinkled on the surface. There is a spoon in the bowl resting on the right side. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the things I appreciate most about this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe is how it uses straightforward, fresh ingredients that combine harmoniously without any fuss. Plus, most pantry staples mean you likely have what you need to get started.

Fish: Choose a firm white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia, cut into bite-size pieces for even cooking.
Bell pepper: Adds subtle sweetness and a lovely pop of color — feel free to use red, yellow, or orange.
Onion: I like yellow onion for its natural sweetness but white onion works too.
Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the stew with that classic aromatic depth.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Using low sodium is key to controlling the seasoning and keeping it balanced.
Diced tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes bring acidity and freshness, but if you have fire-roasted diced tomatoes, that adds a great smoky note.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme that transports you straight to the Mediterranean coast.
Salt and pepper: Basic seasonings to highlight the natural flavors — adjust to taste.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the joys of this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe is how easily you can tweak it to fit your mood or what’s in your pantry. I like to play around with it depending on the season or what my family prefers, and you should too!

Add some heat: When my husband wanted a little kick, I tossed in a pinch of red pepper flakes — it beautifully brightened the broth without overpowering the fish.
Swap the fish: If you like shellfish, I sometimes add shrimp or scallops for variety, but keep an eye on cook times so nothing overcooks.
Make it vegetarian: For a plant-based version, replace fish with hearty vegetables like eggplant and zucchini, and use vegetable broth instead.
Boost the greens: Stir in fresh spinach or kale at the end for a nutritious, vibrant touch that keeps things colorful.

How to Make Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe

Step 1: Combine Ingredients in the Slow Cooker

Start by adding your diced tomatoes, chicken broth, bell pepper, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir so the flavors distribute evenly. This part is so satisfying because you’re basically setting the stage for your stew’s deep, delicious flavor; letting it slow-cook brings all those Mediterranean notes to life.

Step 2: Cook Low and Slow

Pop the lid on, set your slow cooker to HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, or LOW for 4 to 6 hours. You’ll notice as it cooks, the vegetables soften and meld perfectly with the broth, creating a warm and comforting base that’s begging for the star ingredient — the fish!

Step 3: Add the Fish and Finish Cooking

About 20 minutes before serving, gently stir in your chopped fish. Cover and let it cook on HIGH for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, just until the fish is opaque and flakes easily with a fork. This timing is key — fish cooks quickly and overcooking will make it tough, so keep an eye on it.

If you’re using the Instant Pot, I’ve got the full method for you in the instructions below the card — it helps speed things up but still delivers that rich, slow-cooked flavor you love.

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Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe

Use firm-fleshed fish: I recommend cod or halibut because they hold their shape well and don’t fall apart in the slow cooker.
Don’t add fish too early: Fish cooks quickly and becomes mushy if left in the cooker for hours. Adding it at the end keeps it tender and flaky.
Taste and adjust seasoning at the end: Slow cooking can mellow flavors, so a final sprinkle of salt or herbs can brighten up the stew beautifully.
Deglaze your pot: When using an Instant Pot, scraping the bottom after sautéing veggies prevents burning and enriches the broth with great flavor.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe

A white bowl holds a chicken soup with visible four large pieces of light golden cooked chicken in the center, surrounded by diced red tomatoes, green bell peppers, and small chunks of white onion in a clear, slightly reddish broth. Small green parsley leaves are sprinkled on top, adding fresh color. A silver spoon dips into the right side of the bowl. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil to finish this stew — it adds a pop of color and fresh herbal note that really lifts the dish. A little drizzle of good-quality extra virgin olive oil before serving also brings a silky richness that your taste buds will thank you for.

Side Dishes

This stew pairs beautifully with a simple crusty bread to soak up all the flavorful broth — I’m talking baguette or sourdough. For a lighter touch, a crisp green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette complements the Mediterranean flavors perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe in individual rustic bowls, topped with a lemon wedge and a fresh herb sprig. It feels fancy but is easy enough for everyday dinners. You can even add a dollop of garlicky aioli on the side for dipping too — such a treat!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. The stew actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have had more time to meld together — just reheat gently on the stove to avoid overcooking the fish.

Freezing

Freezing works well for this recipe too! I portion the stew into freezer-safe containers, leaving room for expansion. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Reheating

To keep the fish tender when reheating, warm the stew slowly on low heat and avoid boiling. If the broth thickens too much in the fridge, just add a splash of water or broth to loosen it up.

FAQs

Can I use frozen fish for this Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen fish, but I recommend thawing it completely before adding it to the slow cooker to ensure even cooking and prevent excess water from diluting the stew’s flavors.
What’s the best type of fish for this stew?

Firm white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia works best because they hold their shape during cooking. Avoid flaky or delicate fish as they can break apart in the stew.
Can I make this recipe in an Instant Pot?

Absolutely! The recipe includes detailed instructions on how to use the sauté and pressure cook functions of an Instant Pot to get the same delicious result much faster.
Is this recipe suitable for special diets?

Yes, it’s low-carb, paleo, and Whole30 compatible, making it an excellent option for a range of dietary preferences.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Mediterranean Fish Stew Recipe really feels like a home-cooked hug in a bowl to me. It’s one of those dishes that’s so easy yet delivers on taste and comfort every single time. Whether you’re cooking for your family or just craving something wholesome and bright, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this recipe a try. It’s become one of my favorite weeknight staples, and I’m confident it will bring warmth and smiles to your table too.