Ackee and Saltfish
Jamaica's national dish: soft, buttery ackee folded with salt cod, peppers and tomato. Great with fried dumplings.
- Time40 min plus soaking
- LevelEasy
- Costabout £2.56 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Soak the salt cod in cold water overnight, changing the water twice. Drain.
- 2
Cover the cod with fresh water in a pan, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. Drain, flake the fish and remove any bones and skin.
15 min - 3
Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Cook the onion, red pepper and garlic for 6 minutes until soft.
6 min - 4
Add the tomatoes, scotch bonnet, thyme and spring onions. Cook for 4 minutes.
4 min - 5
Stir in the flaked fish and cook for 2 minutes. Fold in the ackee very gently so it stays in pieces. Warm through for 3 minutes.
3 min - 6
Season with black pepper. Taste before adding salt, as the cod is salty. Serve with dumplings, fried plantain or toast.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.