Jamaican Run Down – An incredible flavorful fish stew cooked in coconut milk, tomato, onions, garlic and other seasonings. Pair with dumplings, boiled bananas or rice for one amazing taste sensation.
To me, one of the best tasting fish out there is mackerel – yeah I know. Not one of those fish that people flock to often. In fact, in most parts of the world it is considered a “poor man’s” fish. To me, it is high up there with salmon as far as taste is concerned and is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. More important is I love how versatile it is and takes well to various types of preparation and cooking methods. Just salt and cook and it tastes AMAZING!
The sad thing here, is that no one in my family likes it. So when I’m cooking I try to not use it at all or offer other options.
Did you know Jamaican run down is one of dishes that are often cited as missed by the Jamaicans who are far away from home? It is quick and easy to make and packs tons of flavor with this version.
The base of the recipe is coconut milk and fish (most often mackerel, in some cases smoked mackerel). Boy, that adds another dimension to this already tasty dish. Then it is simmered together with various spices until it thickens ups and forms custard like sauce – Mine is not so thick- which isn’t so typical, but who cares? Adjust to suit preference.
Traditionally, this is made with freshly made coconut cream but due to time constraints and for convenience most people now resort to canned coconut milk.
This is my take on run down, I added some smoked paprika to give it an orange looking color – I can’t begin to tell you how much I so love smoked paprika, one of my secret spices.
Run down is usually served with side dishes of dumplings and boiled green bananas. Rice or plantains makes a great side, though is not customary
Enjoy!
Jamaican Run Down
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Ingredients
- 1 1/2 -2 pound red snapper fillet /mackerel or any fatty fish)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
- 1 bay leaf
- ¾ teaspoon or more I used creole seasoning
- ½ medium onion diced
- 2 teaspoon minced garlic or ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 1-2 tomatoes with its juice
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 canned coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped parsley
- 1 whole scotch bonnet pepper optional
- Salt to taste.
Instructions
- Cut fish in large chunks, rinsed and set aside.
- In a large or large skillet heat oil over medium heat, until hot, and then add garlic, onions, bay leaf, thyme, whole scotch bonnet pepper and stir for about a minute.
- Throw in tomatoes, paprika followed by coconut milk, white pepper and salt
- Bring to a boil and let it simmer for about 4-5minutes. Then add fish, continue cooking for about 7 minutes or more until fish is fully cooked and reached desired doneness and texture. Adjust sauce thickness and seasonings, if desired according to preference. Add parsley Simmer for a minute or two. Remove from heat, toss out bay leaf and serve warm
Nutrition Information:
Irina Walker says
My family loved this recipe. I am on Keto diet and always looking for recipes that have low carbohydrates and sugars in them. And I am so glad I found this one! Absolutely delicious and easy to make dish. Thank you so much
imma africanbites says
Glad to have you around, Irina. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I’m happy this turned out well for you.
Khrys says
I followed this dead on and it’s perfect ! Imagine my bf is a born Jamaican and he introduced me to almost every dish EXCEPT this grrrrr lolol
Immaculate Bites says
Lol! Now you can add this to your menu 😀 Thank you, Khrys!
Ashleigh says
This was soooo tasty!!!! Definitely one that I’ll save to make again.
Michelle says
I really look forward to trying this recipe. I have had rundown fish before with whole snapper, but the fish was fried and then cooked in the sauce.
Joycelyn Mccalla says
what you have written is not the original recipe. You do not use any other oil except the coconut itself.
Sheebs says
People are allowed to make alterations to recipes, that’s what makes food so fun and interesting!
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you, Sheebs!
Andrew says
This is an amazing recipe. When are you going to review Jamaican Black rum fruit Christmas cake
L Thoms says
I really appreciate your help and the correct recipe
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks
Linneth M Porter says
This remind me of my home in the Island. Coconut rundown with mackerel.
Enajite Balfour says
Hello. Thank you for this recipe. I was hoping that it would thicken up but it didn’t. I pretty much doubled the ingredients for a larger pot but it thin… Like soup. I’m actually going yo just ear it as a soup but what can I do to thicken it up??
ImmaculateBites says
Hello,
Sorry to hear about that. Next time you might want to use cornstarch to thicken it up. Hope this helps.
Emilio says
Mix some of the coconut milk with a 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
Billy Harvey says
I was going to suggest that you use cornstarch for the thickening, that’s what I would do.
ImmaculateBites says
Agree. Cornstarch helps out .
Tia says
You can add butter…
You can turn up the heat on the stove (boiling will thicken it)…
Keep an eye on it, make sure You stir the bottom so that it doesn’t burn…
JahMike says
Try adding sea moss/ Irish moss
Anne says
Thanks for the inspiration. A lovely dish. So glad to find an alternative to using this fish.
Lisa says
Hi , am from DC so I recently been trying Caribbean and Jamaican food so my question for you is can you put different mixture of fish in this stew and is it best to use coconut milk or coconut cream I so much love fish so I want to try it with some different fish in it should I use Bonefish or fillet fish can you put shrimps w/ this also.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Lisa,
Yes, you can. Also , canned coconut milk is what I use here . Adjust with broth to desired thickness.
Matt says
Doing this as a starter for Christmas Dinner. Total convert
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Matt,
Great Choice! Do let me know how it works for you . Thanks!
Stewie says
So my ex-girlfriend from thirty years ago shows up in my life again and she is originally from Jamaica. I’m the typical Yank and she heard I was an excellent cook and wanted to try some of my fares. Well I made a pot of Rundown ! I figure I would try and impress her with my culinary skills. So I serve her up a nice size bowl with white short grain rice on the side. Well I saw her face only once during dinner, because it was face down in the bowl. She lost her mind over this dish and wanted seconds immediately. It’s all your fault ! I cannot get her out of my house now including her Father who is really,really,really Jamaican ! At three to four days a week I am their personal chef and not getting paid. When a Jamaican man tells you the you cook like his Mother it is like winning a Gold Olympic Medal. I didn’t tell them I used your recipe for the Rundown. Whew ! I’m glad my family owns a working farm because the pigs, goats, and cattle are in abundance. Their names are Lloyd and Annmarie and if you ever run into them run ! People if you wanna go all the way with a great recipe this is it right here.
imma africanbites says
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Stewie. She’s one lucky girl to have you. And you totally deserve a medal. 😉
Jade says
Hi I love cooking Caribbean inspired food with a twist as I get a taste of home and get to add my own spin to it….was wondering how lobster and king prawns would go as a substitute or maybe even salmon mmmmmm my mouth is salivating already
ImmaculateBites says
They would be be perfect in this recipe. I have used prawns before and loved it.
Stacy says
I going to try this recipe.. I can’t wait to taste the out come..
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Stacy, do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks
Akilah says
This made a very yummy dinner with Rice and Peas and sautéed veg. Thanks again!