• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Explore Cook Eat

  • Recipes Home
  • 1,000 Foods to Eat Project
  • MUST Try Korean Dishes!
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • USA
    • Asia
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Europe
  • Travel
    • USA
      • New Mexico
      • Texas
      • Utah
      • North Carolina
    • Japan
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Home » Recipes

A Wonderful Icelandic Recipe For Icelandic Fish Stew!

Feb 2, 2022Last Modified: March 14, 2022

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

This page may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. Here you will discover an awesome Icelandic Recipe for Icelandic Fish Stew!

Icelandic Fish Stew including cod, potatoes and chopped green onions in a gold rimmed bowl
Jump to:
  • This Fish Stew From Iceland Is One Of The Best Icelandic Recipes!
  • What Is Icelandic Fish Stew Called In Iceland?
  • A Modern Take On Plokkfiskur
  • What Ingredients Are Needed To Make This Icelandic Recipe?
  • Easy Instructions!
  • What To Serve With Icelandic Fish Stew
  • Some Other Icelandic Recipes You May Enjoy!
  • The Great Icelandic Fish Stew!

This Fish Stew From Iceland Is One Of The Best Icelandic Recipes!

The fish stew pictured above is not just any fish stew. This is Icelandic fish stew (with a bit of a twist). Now, Icelanders know a thing about fish. Fish is one of the main foods that sustains Icelanders.

You'll absolutely want to make this dish for the following reasons:

  • First off, it's simply delicious!
  • It's super easy to make with only a few ingredients needed
  • Hearty and comforting, this stew is perfect for warming up on a cold day
  • It's rich and creamy with the addition of some Emmentaler cheese as well as cream
  • Perfect for lovers of fish, especially cod or haddock!
  • You'd like to try an awesome Icelandic recipe!

What Is Icelandic Fish Stew Called In Iceland?

Icelanders call this stew Plokkfiskur. Plokkfiskur actually means "plucked fish" and it is a very traditional dish in this magnificent North Atlantic island.

It is also called "Icelandic Fish Pie," and some versions I have seen are much more dense and casserole-like.

Whatever the name, this dish is significant to the people of Iceland. From grapevine.is: "at its essence, Plokkfiskur is about making the most of straightforward ingredients and providing something hearty and nourishing for hard-working people. Simple and satisfying, many would argue that Plokkfiskur is the best way to enjoy the catch of the day."

Icelandic Fish Stew including cod, potatoes and chopped green onions in a gold rimmed bowl and bread in the background

A Modern Take On Plokkfiskur

There are many versions of Plokkfiskur, however they pretty much all contain fish, onions, and potatoes.

I offer a modern take on Icelandic fish stew. In addition to the basics, I add some curry powder for a bit of a kick. And instead of milk, I include cream and some Emmentaler cheese for extra richness. 🧀

What Ingredients Are Needed To Make This Icelandic Recipe?

The ingredients you will need to make Plokkfiskur are:

  • Cod (or haddock)
  • Onions
  • Baby potatoes (I used a colorful medley for extra appeal)
  • Chicken or fish stock
  • Cream
  • Butter
  • Curry powder (I highly suggest S&B Curry Powder)
  • Emmentaler cheese
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)
  • Green onions - as a garnish
baby potatoes, cod on a white plate, emmentaler cheese, onion, S&B curry powder, chicken broth, and heavy whipping cream

Now all you need is about 30-40 minutes to get this hearty fish stew on the table to enjoy!

Easy Instructions!

Making Icelandic fish stew is SUPER EASY! Here we go!

Begin by placing your cod or haddock in a large skillet that has a cover. Add water to cover the fish, some salt, then bring to the boil and simmer on medium for around 10 minutes. When finished the fish will be nice and flaky.

a piece of cod in a skillet
Cod ready to boil
flaky cod in water in a skillet
Cooked and flaky cod

While the fish is cooking, in a separate pot sauté diced onions in butter until softened. Then you will add the stock and potatoes. Bring this to the boil, and then simmer until the potatoes are fork tender (around 20 minutes).

fish stew broth with baby potatoes and a blue spoon
Add broth and potatoes to the diced onions
fish stew broth in a pot with a fork holding a fork tender baby potato in the foreground
Cook until the potatoes are fork tender

Try to ensure that the potatoes are fairly uniform in size. If you are using baby potatoes, then you may need to cut any larger ones in half so that they are about the same size.

Lastly, it's time to add the fish and the wonderful seasonings and creamy ingredients!

flaky cod added to fish stew in a pot
Add the cooked fish and break it up in the broth
icelandic fish stew containing cod, baby potatoes, cream, pepper, and curry powder with a blue cooking utensil
Add seasonings, cream, and cheese!

Stir to combine, and get ready to feast on this DELISH fish stew!

What To Serve With Icelandic Fish Stew

I recommend recommend serving this hearty fish stew with bread and a lovely salad to go along with it.

Lovely served with baguettes to mop up the soup!

This is a delightful fish stew which your whole family will love! Don't forget to garnish with some green onions. 😀

Some Other Icelandic Recipes You May Enjoy!

DELISH Icelandic Baked Fish!

cod topped with a creamy sauce, panko, dill, and a lemon wedge on the side

Icelandic Rye Bread Ice Cream

Rye bread ice cream in a glass with some rye bread in the background
#40 Cawl Cennin

If you'd like to come along on this food journey with me, please sign up to get the latest recipes and inspiration for you to expand your food comfort zone! It's an incredible journey, please join me by signing up here. 😀

Skál!

Grace

Icelandic Fish Stew including cod, potatoes and chopped green onions in a gold rimmed bowl and bread in the background

The Great Icelandic Fish Stew!

Grace
This hearty stew is beloved by Icelanders! Here is a modern take on this traditional dish which is creamy, cheesy, and absolutely scrumptious!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine European, icelandic
Servings 4 people
Calories 405 kcal

Equipment

  • Large covered skillet to cook the fish
  • large pot to cook the stew

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb cod can also use haddock
  • 1 onion large
  • 1 lb baby potatoes I used a colorful medley! Try to keep the potatoes a uniform size, so you may need to cut some of the larger ones down. Can also use russet potatoes (peeled and cut into smallish pieces)
  • 3.5 cups chicken or fish stock may add additional ½ cup to make 4 cups if you prefer more broth
  • ½ cup heavy cream can use milk if you prefer
  • 3 tablespoon butter
  • 1 ts curry powder S&B is a great one to use!
  • 1 cup Emmentaler cheese grated
  • salt to taste and also to cook the fish wish
  • pepper to taste
  • green onions sliced as a nice garnish!

Instructions
 

  • Begin by placing your cod or haddock in a large skillet that has a cover. Add water to cover the fish, and around ½ ts salt, then bring to the boil and simmer on medium (covered) for around 10 minutes. When finished the fish will be nice and flaky. Drain the water from the fish.
    flaky cod in water in a skillet
  • While the fish is cooking, in a separate pot melt the butter on medium high heat. Add the diced onions and sauté around 5 minutes until softened.
    diced onion and butter in a pot
  • Then you will add the stock and potatoes. Bring this to the boil, and then simmer (uncovered) until the potatoes are fork tender (around 20 minutes).
    fish stew broth in a pot with a fork holding a fork tender baby potato in the foreground
  • Next add the cooked fish to the pot and stir to break it up a bit.
    flaky cod added to fish stew in a pot
  • Lastly, it's time to add the cream, grated Emmentaler, and curry powder. Stir to combine, then add salt and pepper to taste!
    icelandic fish stew containing cod, baby potatoes, cream, pepper, and curry powder with a blue cooking utensil
  • Enjoy this delicious and hearty stew with some nice crusty bread!
    icelandic fish stew with fish on a spoon and baguettes and salad in the background

Notes

The nutrition information does not include salt that is added to taste and also assumes using unsalted broth.  
Feel free to substitute Jarlsberg for the Emmentaler if you wish.  You could lighten this up by subbing milk instead of cream.
If curry tastes are not your thing, by all means you can leave this out and just season with salt and pepper to taste.
Skál!

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 31gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 116mgSodium: 144mgPotassium: 1052mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 733IUVitamin C: 26mgCalcium: 286mgIron: 2mg
Keyword cod, Fish, fish stew, icelandic stew, seafood
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
« Why I LOVE My Lurvz Silicone Utensil Set!
How To Make Delicious Danish Red Cabbage! »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Sign up so that you never miss the greatest recipes!

About Me

Hi I’m Grace! I'm married and a mom to my fur baby, Toby, and food and travel are two of my greatest passions! Since our bank account does not allow us to travel or eat out as much as we'd like, I decided I would cook delicious meals that could give us a taste of all the places we'd like to go. My goal is to get you in the kitchen, and inspire you to cook and taste delightful meals that will transport you too. Let’s throw some actual travel in from time to time, all with an emphasis on keeping your wallet full and happy as well. Let’s get cooking and let’s start exploring!! I'm excited to be on this journey with you!!

By the way most of these recipes are Toby taste tested and Toby approved!!

Chief Taste Tester Toby

Toby Chief Taste Tester

Recent Posts

  • Crispy Garlicky Roast Chicken Recipe
  • DELISH South Carolina Benne Wafers Recipe
  • Middle Eastern Style Cabbage Salad Recipe
  • Roasted Carrots With Berbere Spice Recipe
  • Perfectly Pan Fried Rainbow Trout Recipe

Recent Comments

  • Grace on All About Samyang 2x Spicy Buldak Ramen!
  • Alexis on All About Samyang 2x Spicy Buldak Ramen!
  • Grace on Easy and Delicious Connecticut Steamed Cheeseburgers!
  • Grace L Henrie on Easy and Delicious Connecticut Steamed Cheeseburgers!
  • Grace on How To Cook Korean Short Ribs In The Oven

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Footer

Amazon Associates Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Explore Cook Eat on the Foodie Pro Theme