Jamaican Brown Stew Fish

13.1.16 | Recipe by Renz


Fried fish, simmered in a sweet and savory sauce infused with tomatoes, herbs and spices and bell peppers.

Brown Stew Fish - A quintessential Jamaican dish of fried fish then simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce. #HomeMadeZagat

If you have not had brown stew fish yet, then I suggest you grab a fish somewhere after reading this and get to cooking.

Seafood is an important part of the culture of many islands obviously. Being a fisherman is a lucrative business.

Not just for fish. We are users of crab, conch, lobsters.

This brown stew fish though is quintessentially a Jamaican dish. One of their very popular foods.

It's a fish, fried (either in whole or parts) and then simmered down in a not too sweet but a little tangy flavor making for an amazing meal.


I really only got into brown stew fish when I moved to South Florida.

What is brown stew fish?

In Trinidad and Tobago we stew using brown sugar. We melt the sugar and then add meat. This process is shown in my stew chicken and is also used in our pelau.

I tell my Jamaican friends about the process they respond, "Oh, you guys make sweet chicken".

The Jamaican brown stew as I mentioned above is fried fish (brown) that simmers in a sauce made up of different sweets and sours (the stew).


Brown Stew Fish - A quintessential Jamaican dish of fried fish then simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce. #HomeMadeZagat

What is the best fish to use for brown stew?

The most popular fish to be used is snapper. It can be red snapper or yellowtail.

This fish holds it's shaped very good when under pressure. The fish has to be fried then simmered and you don't want it to break up.

If in dire need kingfish would also be a good option.

Tilapia in brown stew fish can work BUT know that when it's simmering down it might break up a lot.

As I mentioned, any fish that is fleshy and firm would do great.

You can do this fish as a whole fish or be like me and get your butcher to cut it into three parts.

You can also just use 2 small snappers.

I cut my fish up cause I am deathly afraid of hot oil and it's easier for me to manage when frying.

Once fried it's all about letting the fish simmer down in the sauce that you're going to make.

A nice low bubble of onions, thyme, pimento seeds. Flavor, flavor, flavor.

Brown Stew Fish - A quintessential Jamaican dish of fried fish then simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce. #HomeMadeZagat

Once that's simmering, you can take the time to whip up something to eat with the fish.

What do people eat with brown stew fish?

Personally, this can easily be eaten with a basic side dish like mashed potatoes.

Or you can up the ante with some rice and peas, or steamed cabbage and plantains

Once that's done, let's plate.

Brown Stew Fish - A quintessential Jamaican dish of fried fish then simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce. #HomeMadeZagat

The fish has a crisp outside from the frying and tender inside. The sauce is sweet but tangy and works well with the salted skin of the fried fish.

With all that flavor the simple taste of the mashed potatoes makes a great combination.

What side would you pair with this fish?


Check out some other Jamaican Recipes:

Pepper Shrimp
Hard Dough Bread
Steamed Conch
Gizzada





Brown stew fish, how to make brown stew fish, brown stew fish Jamaican style
Dinner, Seafood
Caribbean, Jamaican
Yield: Serves 2
Author:

Jamaican Brown Stew Fish

Jamaican Brown Stew Fish

A quintessential Jamaican dish of fried fish then simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce with spices, herbs bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions
prep time: 10 Mcook time: 30 Mtotal time: 40 M

ingredients:

  • 1 med whole fish cleaned and cut into 3 pieces (can also be left whole)
  • 1 lime
  • Oil for frying
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 large green pepper, coarsely chopped
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 Pimento seeds
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1/2 tomato, chopped
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons oil

instructions:

How to cook Jamaican Brown Stew Fish

  1. Wash fish with water and juice of the lime. Pat dry
  2. Mix salt and pepper together
  3. Generously season fish pieces with salt and pepper mixture
  4. Heat saucepan with enough oil to fry fish (deep fry not needed)
  5. Fry fish till golden brown and flipping to the other side
  6. Place fish on sheets to drain.
  7. Discard used oil and wash and dry saucepan
  8. Heat pan on medium heat
  9. Add 3 tablespoons of oil to the saucepan
  10. Add green pepper, onion, thyme, pimento seeds, tomato, and scallions to oil
  11. Stir continuously for 2 - 3 minutes. (Until onions are opaque)
  12. Mix together water, ketchup, and vinegar
  13. Add fish back to the saucepan
  14. Add water mixture
  15. Spoon liquid over fish and vegetables
  16. Cover and leave to simmer on low heat for 20 minutes

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Brown Stew Fish - A quintessential Jamaican dish of fried fish then simmered in a sweet and tangy sauce. #HomeMadeZagat




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