Icelandic Creamy Fish Stew (Printable)

Creamy stew blending tender fish, potatoes, and fresh herbs for a satisfying meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fish & Dairy

01 - 1 lb cod or haddock fillets, skinless and boneless
02 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - ⅓ cup plus 1 tbsp heavy cream

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 lb potatoes, peeled and diced
06 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
07 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, chopped

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 bay leaf
10 - 1 tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp ground white pepper
12 - Pinch of nutmeg (optional)

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Place diced potatoes in a large pot, cover with salted water, bring to a boil, and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until tender. Drain and set aside.
02 - Simmer fish fillets in enough water to cover with bay leaf and a pinch of salt for 6 to 8 minutes until opaque and flaky. Remove fish, reserve about ⅓ cup of poaching liquid, and discard bay leaf.
03 - Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
04 - Add cooked potatoes to the pot and gently mash, leaving some chunks for texture.
05 - Flake fish into large pieces, add to the pot with reserved poaching liquid, and stir gently.
06 - Pour in milk and heavy cream, heat gently over low heat while stirring frequently until warm and creamy—avoid boiling.
07 - Season with salt, white pepper, and optional nutmeg. Stir in half of the parsley and chives, reserving the rest for garnish. Serve hot topped with remaining herbs.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, but tastes like you've been simmering it all afternoon.
  • The creamy broth is deeply satisfying without being heavy, and the flaked fish stays tender and delicate.
  • It's flexible enough to make when you have cod or haddock on hand, and honestly tastes even better with leftovers.
02 -
  • Don't skip the gentle poaching of the fish—boiling it hard will make it tough and chewy, and you'll lose all that delicate flavor to the aggressive water.
  • The cream should never boil; low heat is your friend here, and patient stirring prevents any graininess that can happen when dairy gets too hot.
  • Tasting as you season is crucial because different salt levels in the fish poaching liquid mean you might need less salt than you think.
03 -
  • Make extra and freeze it in portions—this stew reheats beautifully and tastes even better the next day when all the flavors have had time to settle together.
  • Prep your ingredients before you start cooking; because everything moves quickly once you begin, having your fish poached and potatoes ready makes the final assembly almost meditative.
Go Back