Jamaican Steamed Fish
Try this delicious Jamaican Steamed Fish made with red snapper fish, freshly chopped okra, carrots, and bell peppers simmered in a flavorful and aromatic fish broth. It is super easy to make and one of the Caribbean’s favorite fish recipes.
One of the most popular fish cuisines is the Jamaican Steamed Fish.
Being surrounded by all this water, it only makes sense that we have so many different fish dishes.
When I first moved to Grand Cayman, I remember making a lot of fish dinner because it was easy to make, healthy, and inexpensive.
If I had to choose a dish to eat every day for the rest of my life, then this Jamaican Steamed Fish recipe would be it.
If you like this recipe, enjoy these healthy fish dishes like my Jamaican Roast Fish and Brown Stew Fish.
Types Of Fish For Steamed Fish
This steam fish recipe uses fish that cook well without breaking apart easily.
The most common fishes used are red snapper, parrotfish, doctorfish, or butterfish.
Other types of fish that you can try are mahi mahi, barracuda, and jackfish.
Ingredients To Use
For the best flavors, I often use freshly caught fish. It is healthier, and I love supporting the locals here.
I always grew up seeing my mom purchase local fish for dinner, and it was a good feeling to see the smiles on their faces when being supported.
Though I know how to do it myself, I prefer to have them gut and clean the fish for me.
It’s just way easier to handle when I get home.
- Fish – I used red snapper cut into steaks for this recipe.
- Vegetables – bell pepper, carrots, okra, scotch bonnet pepper
- Aromatics – thyme, onion, garlic
- Fish Stock – you can do as Jamaicans and use fish tea soup mix or your favorite stock or water.
- Oil – vegetable oil or melted butter works great for this recipe.
- Ketchup/Tomato Paste – adds color and flavor to this dish.
- Seasoning – fish seasoning, all-purpose, cayenne, and salt.
How To Make Jamaican Steamed Fish
Jamaican Steamed Fish is such an easy recipe to make. It requires little preparation and can be ready in 20 minutes or less.
The fish is lightly seasoned and cooked in a savory fish broth.
I do want to say that though this recipe is called “steamed fish,” it isn’t technically steamed.
Steaming is a cooking method that uses only steam. No liquid comes in contact with the food item.
Simmering is the better term to describe how to cook steamed fish.
However, it is known as steamed fish in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean.
Steps:
- Remove scales, gills, and fins from fish. Wash with lime, vinegar, and water, then set aside.
- Cut fish into steaks, or if you prefer, you can leave the fish whole. If cooking a whole fish, create small slices on each side of the fish.
- Pat dry fish, then rub dry seasoning on fish. Be sure to get into the slices of the whole fish. Allow to marinate for 20 minutes or cook immediately.
- Heal oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, then saute for 1 minute.
- Stir in the remaining vegetables. Allow vegetables to sweat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add water and ketchup to the veggies and simmer for 5 minutes. Place fish over vegetables and cover for 5-7 minutes.
- Add water to the container to remove any leftover seasoning. Pour into the pot. Flip the fish halfway through to cook evenly on both sides.
- Adjust taste if needed and remove from heat.
- Serve as desired.
Serving Suggestions
One of my favorite side dishes with this recipe is mashed potatoes and golden brown fried plantains.
You can also try:
- Polenta
- Boiled Food (ground provision)
- Green Salad
- Steamed Rice
Tips For Making This Recipe
Here are a few tips to help make the best Jamaican Steamed Fish:
- Fish does not require a long cooking time. The flesh will go from pink to white when cooked.
- In Jamaica, we often enjoy our fish whole. You can do the same or cut the fish into steaks. Feel free to check your local market for fresh fish and to have it cleaned and cut in advance.
- Ketchup is optional in this recipe, but you can use it to give color and flavor to your steamed fish.
- Fish stock can give this recipe more flavor, but if you don’t have any in your pantry, try using water or a Jamaican fish tea soup mix.
Storage Tips
You can store your leftover steamed fish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-4 days.
Place fish and gravy in a medium skillet over low heat to reheat for 5-7 minutes.
Why You Should Make This Recipe?
- Easy To Make – with little preparation, this recipe requires just 20 minutes to make.
- Budget Friendly – this is the perfect dish to add to your weekly menu to stay on a budget or when you need a quick and easy low-budget meal.
- Super Healthy Recipe – this recipe uses snapper fish filled with omega-3, vitamins D, and E.
- Quick Meal
Other Fish Recipes:
Thanks for being here and I hope you enjoyed the recipe and content.
Comment below if you made this recipe. You can also take a photo and tag me on Instagram @theshyfoodblogger and hashtag #theshyfoodblogger.
Connect and follow me for more content and recipes on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok.
~ TheShyFoodBlogger
Jamaican Steamed Fish
Ingredients
- 1-2 lb red snapper cut into steaks
- 2 tsp fish seasoning
- 2 tsp all-purpose seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3 sprigs thyme stems removed
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 large carrot sliced
- 1 large bell pepper green or red, julienne
- 3 okra chopped
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper seeds removed
- 1 tsp ketchup or tomato paste optional
- ⅓ cup fish stock or water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions
- Remove scales, gills, and fins from fish. Wash with lime, vinegar, and water, then set aside.
- Cut fish into steaks, or if you prefer, you can leave the fish whole. If cooking a whole fish, create small slices on each side of the fish.
- Pat dry fish, then rub dry seasoning on fish. Be sure to get into the slices of the whole fish. Allow to marinate for 20 minutes or cook immediately.
- Heal oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, then saute for 1 minute.
- Stir in the remaining vegetables. Allow vegetables to sweat for 2-3 minutes.
- Add water and ketchup to the veggies and simmer for 5 minutes. Place fish over vegetables and cover for 5-7 minutes.
- Add water to the container to remove any leftover seasoning. Pour into the pot. Flip the fish halfway through to cook evenly on both sides.
- Adjust taste if needed and remove from heat.
- Serve as desired.
Notes
Notes For Cooking Steamed Fish
- Because fish does not require a long cooking time, it is easy to spot when it’s fully cooked. The flesh will turn pink to white to indicate it’s thoroughly cooked.
- Using fish stock can give this recipe more flavor, but if you don’t have any on hand, substitute it for water.
- In Jamaica, we often enjoy our fish whole. You can do the same or cut the fish into steaks. Feel free to check your local market for fresh fish and to have it cleaned and cut in advance.
- Ketchup is optional in this recipe, but you can use it to give color and flavor to your steamed fish.
