Ultimate Slow Cooker Seafood Cioppino

✅️ Ingredients:

➡️ For sautéing (optional for extra flavor):

◾️ 1 tablespoon oil (for Instant Pot)

◾️ 1/2 cup onion, diced

◾️ 2 celery stalks, sliced

◾️ 1 bell pepper, diced

➡️ For the stew:

◾️ 28 oz diced tomatoes

◾️ 6 oz tomato paste

◾️ 2 cups low-sodium broth (or 1 cup broth + 1 cup water)

◾️ 2 garlic cloves, minced

◾️ 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

◾️ 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)

◾️ 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

◾️ 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

◾️ 1 bay leaf

➡️ Seafood:

◾️ 2 pounds mixed seafood (your choice of fish and shellfish)

◾️ 1/4 cup fresh parsley (optional)

✅️ Instructions:

➡️ ◾️ Step 1 – Sauté aromatics (optional):

🔹 Heat oil in a skillet or Instant Pot on sauté mode.

🔹 Add onion, celery, and bell pepper. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.

➡️ ◾️ Step 2 – Combine in slow cooker:

🔹 Transfer sautéed vegetables (or add raw) to slow cooker.

🔹 Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, broth, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf. Stir well.

➡️ ◾️ Step 3 – Cook stew:

🔹 Cover and cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

➡️ ◾️ Step 4 – Add seafood:

🔹 About 30–45 minutes before serving, gently stir in seafood.

🔹 Cover and cook until seafood is just cooked through (firm and opaque, about 20–30 minutes depending on type).

➡️ ◾️ Step 5 – Finish and serve:

🔹 Remove bay leaf.

🔹 Stir in fresh parsley if desired.

🔹 Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot with crusty bread or over pasta.

✅️ 5 Tips for the Best Cioppino:

1️⃣ Use a variety of seafood for layered flavor and texture.

2️⃣ Don’t overcook seafood—add it near the end.

3️⃣ Add a splash of dry white wine before cooking for deeper flavor.

4️⃣ Adjust red pepper flakes to control spiciness.

5️⃣ Finish with fresh herbs or a squeeze of lemon for brightness.