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Tapado Guatemalteco

A traditional Guatemalan dish — Tapado is the Caribbean soul of Guatemalan cooking, born in the Garifuna port town of Livingston on the shores of the Caribbean.

⏱ 25 minPrep time
🔥 50 minCook time
🍽 6Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Tapado Guatemalteco - Guatemalan cuisine

A traditional Guatemalan dish — Tapado is the Caribbean soul of Guatemalan cooking, born in the Garifuna port town of Livingston on the shores of the Caribbean. Fish and shrimp simmer in a golden coconut broth with ripe plantain, tomato, and achiote, perfumed with cilantro and lime. It is a one-pot taste of the coast, always served with rice.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Cook the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and tomatoes in a little oil until soft; stir in the achiote and cumin and cook for 2 minutes.
  2. Add the coconut milk and broth, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes to marry the flavors.
  3. Add the plantain slices and simmer for 15 minutes, until tender.
  4. Season the fish and shrimp with salt and lime juice, then slide them into the broth; simmer gently for 8 to 10 minutes, until the fish flakes and the shrimp turn pink.
  5. Stir in the cilantro, taste, and adjust the salt and lime.
  6. Serve in deep bowls over rice, with lime wedges and tortillas on the side.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Keep the simmer gentle after adding the fish so it stays in large, tender pieces. Ripe — not green — plantains give the broth its subtle sweetness.

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Recipe details

Prep25 min
Cook50 min
Servings6
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →