Saltfish and Rice Cook-up

This gadget is saving my life and I'm having everyone around me jump in the craze too.

I was able to make this delicious lunch in no time. 

Seasoned up rice with some coconut milk, and saltfish with okra. Sooo yummy. 

And it was ready in less than 30 minutes.

A delicious cook-up rice


This saltfish and rice cook-up is a popular Caribbean dish. 

I do think it is a bit more popular in Guyana than the other places though.

"Cook-up" just means that all the food is cooked together and makes a one pot. 

Most times it includes rice and something. Rice and okra cook-up. Rice and split peas. And this, saltfish and rice (with some okra).

If you don't have an Instant Pot yet (or any brand of the electric pressure cooker) I urge you to get one NOW. 

And if you have one and was like me and had it sitting there for a while and not using it, take it outtt!



The IPs are taking over the world right now. 

It's allowing you to make some things that you would normally have to stand over your stove and monitor to instead just cover, select a button and go do something else.

If you want to see which IP I use, check out this pelau recipe I shared earlier.

What kind of fish is saltfish?

Salt fish (or really salted fish) is commonly codfish that has been salted for preservation. It is also sometimes referred to as bacalao, bacalhau. 

The fish has been dried, extracting all moisture so that it keeps longer.

We do not use the fish with all the salt that it comes in. It's a ridiculous amount of salt. 

It needs to be de-salted and re hydrated.

How do you get salt out of saltfish?

There are varying methods to get saltfish unsalted. 

I went into detail about the 3 or 4 ways to remove salt from saltfish when I was talking about this run down.

My method of choice is the soak out method. 

I put the fish to soak in water then rinse and repeat a couple times. Then chip it up.

My mom chips it up then runs water on it for a little.

Whatever method you choose is all up to you.

As I mentioned before cook-up rice is a one-pot rice dish. 

Usually with peas and/or meat. Sometimes you find spinach or callaloo. Okra and or pumpkin. 

All cooked down in some coconut milk.


It is very popular to have pigtail in the mix, but I do not eat pork, but feel free to add it in. 

Just make sure it has been pressured prior to adding it to this recipe.

Besides this saltfish and rice, I love rice and split peas cook up. Oh, yummy.

A cook up plate always has to have some kind of salad of sorts on the side. 

Cucumber salad (simple cucumber with salt and pepper) and some tomatoes.

 And wash it down with some mauby or something.

• Stew saltfish
• Saltfish rundown
• Bake and saltfish

Here are some more Caribbean instant pot recipes:

• Instant pot chicken pelau
• Curry beef