Name: Cioppino
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: Serves 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: sourdough bread; dry white wine; firm white fish; raw prawns; clams; fish stock; tomato passata; fennel bulb; onion; piece garlic cloves

About this dish

Cioppino: the story on the plate

An Italian-American fishermen’s stew shaped by the Pacific coast and market catch.

Historical background

Cioppino reflects American regional food: immigrant influence, farming traditions, coastal seafood, barbecue, diners, bakeries and home desserts.

Why it is famous

It is famous because American cooking is deeply regional, from New England seafood and Southern comfort food to Midwest pies, barbecue and city-specific classics.

Cultural significance

Cioppino is useful on the site because it explains not just how to cook the dish, but why the ingredients and technique matter in American food culture.

Nutrition

Estimated nutrition per serving

Useful for meal planning and calorie-aware recipe browsing.

540Calories

36gProtein

42gCarbs

22gFat

Estimated from the upgraded serves-2 metric ingredient list; verify with a calculator before making health claims.

Ingredients

What you need

Servings Measures

100 sourdough bread, toasted, to serve
75 dry white wine
175 firm white fish, cut into 4 cm chunks
125 raw prawns, peeled, tails optional
250 clams, scrubbed
250 fish stock
250 tomato passata
75 fennel bulb, thinly sliced
75 onion, finely diced
2 piece garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Method

Step-by-step method

Follow the recipe in order, tasting and adjusting seasoning where needed.

1. Slice fennel thinly and dice onion small so they melt into the broth. Cook them in olive oil over medium heat for 8 minutes, then add garlic for 1 minute.
2. Add wine and reduce for 2 minutes. Stir in passata and fish stock, then simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.
3. Add clams first and cover for 4 minutes. Add fish chunks and prawns, then simmer gently for 4-5 minutes until just cooked.
4. Taste for salt, spoon into warm bowls and serve with toasted sourdough.

Cook smarter

Tips, storage and serving advice

Shopping tips

Buy the ingredient that carries the dish first: fresh seafood, properly marbled meat, good maize products, fresh herbs, aromatic spices or ripe fruit depending on the recipe.

Ingredient quality

Choose whole spices, fresh citrus, clean seafood, good dairy and authentic staple ingredients where possible; stale spices and weak sauces make traditional recipes taste flat.

Common mistakes

Avoid vague seasoning, overcrowding pans, overcooking lean protein, using stale spices or replacing traditional staples without adjusting texture.

Chef’s tips

Measure first, cook the sauce or base patiently, taste for salt and acidity, and finish with the traditional garnish or side.

How to know it is cooked

Proteins should be cooked through but not dry; sauces should taste balanced; pastries, fried foods or baked desserts should be properly set and golden where appropriate.

Plating advice

Serve simply and traditionally: sauce under or over the main item, garnish last, and keep sides distinct so the recipe reads clearly.

Make ahead

Sauces, fillings, marinades and braises can usually be made ahead; fried, grilled and crisp elements are best finished just before serving.

Storage and reheating

Store covered in the fridge. Eat seafood within 2 days and meat, vegetable dishes or desserts within 3 days unless recipe testing says otherwise. Reheat gently until piping hot. Use an oven or air fryer for crisp foods; use low heat for sauces, stews and braises.

Wine pairing

What to drink with Cioppino

Pairings are chosen around the dish’s flavour, texture, richness, acidity and cooking style — not just the country it comes from.

#1 Great match White

Pinot Grigio / Pinot Gris

Why it works: Pinot Grigio Pinot Gris suits Cioppino because the dish is balanced, savoury and approachable, with the main ingredient supported by herbs, acidity, fat and seasoning; the wine keeps the finish balanced rather than heavy.

Clean, easy-drinking white with pear, apple and citrus. Good for light starters, mild fish, salads and simple vegetable dishes.

GrapePinot Grigio, Pinot Gris

RegionVeneto, Friuli, Alsace, Oregon

Wine flavourpear, apple, lemon, white peach

Serve at7-10°C

Flavour bridge: The pairing links acidity, body and aroma to the main ingredients, giving freshness for rich dishes and enough weight for hearty ones.
Acidity: Use acidity to lift richness, salt, fried texture, cream, butter or slow-cooked depth.
Body: The wine body is chosen to avoid overpowering the dish while still standing up to the main ingredient.
Tannin: Low or moderate tannin is safest unless the recipe is built around red meat, roasting or deep savoury sauces.
Sweetness: Keep the wine dry for savoury recipes; use gentle sweetness for desserts or spicy dishes.
Best for: Main pairing for testing and editorial menus.

These are wine-style pairings, so you can choose any bottle in that style rather than needing one exact producer. Look for the grape, region or style name on the label.

Bottle suggestions

Specific wines to try

These are individual wines already linked to this recipe.

American Zinfandel

blackberry, pepper, jam, spice

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Cioppino