Authentic Jamaican Escovitch Fish Recipe

Authentic Jamaican Seafood recipe — Escovitch Fish. Imported from TheMealDB.

Medium
Updated March 14, 2026

4

servings

Medium

Difficulty

Authentic Jamaican Escovitch Fish Recipe

Ingredients

Servings:
4
  • 2 whole Snapper fish (Cleaned and scaled)
  • 1 cup Vegetable oil
  • 1 cup Carrots (Julienned)
  • 1 cup Bell peppers (Sliced)
  • 1 cup Onions (Sliced)
  • 1 cup Vinegar (White or apple cider)
  • 2 tablespoons Thyme (Fresh or dried)
  • 1 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Salt (To taste)
  • 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)

Instructions

6 steps

  1. Prepare the Fish

    Clean and scale the snapper fish, then make diagonal slits on both sides.

    This helps the seasoning penetrate better.
  2. Season the Fish

    Rub the fish with salt, black pepper, and thyme. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

    For deeper flavor, marinate overnight in the fridge.
  3. Heat the Oil

    In a large skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot.

    Test the oil temperature by dropping a small piece of bread; it should sizzle.
  4. Fry the Fish

    Carefully add the fish to the hot oil and fry for about 5-7 minutes on each side, until golden brown.

    Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain the oil temperature.
  5. Prepare the Escovitch Sauce

    In a separate saucepan, combine vinegar, carrots, bell peppers, onions, and garlic. Bring to a boil.

    Add thyme and adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Serve the Fish

    Once the fish is cooked, remove it from the oil and pour the escovitch sauce over the top.

    Serve immediately with fried dumplings or festival.

💡 Tips & Tricks

Tags: Seafood,Spicy,Speciality,Easter

Storage & Reheating

❄️

Refrigerator

Up to 1 day in an airtight container

🧊

Freezer

Up to 1 month — thaw overnight in fridge

🔥

Gently reheat in a pan over low heat. Avoid microwaving seafood as it can become rubbery.

What to Serve With

Complete your jamaican meal with these perfect pairings:

🍽️Steamed rice or crusty bread
🍽️A fresh green salad
🍽️Seasonal roasted vegetables

About This Dish

Authentic Jamaican Escovitch Fish Recipe is a beloved dish from Jamaican cuisine.

Jamaican cuisine is a vibrant fusion of flavors from Africa, Europe, and Asia. Known for its bold seasonings, jerk-style cooking, and tropical ingredients.

This recipe is rated medium difficulty and uses 10 ingredients. Intermediate cooks will enjoy the balanced challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can substitute snapper with grouper or tilapia for similar results.

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Nutrition Facts

4 serving(s) per recipe

Serving size1 serving
Calories350kcal
Total Fat20gg
Sodium600mgmg
Total Carbohydrates20gg
Dietary Fiber3gg
Total Sugars5gg
Protein25gg

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients used.

Recipe Details

CuisineJamaican
CategorySeafood