How to Make Ackee and Saltfish

Ackee and saltfish, Jamaica's national dish, needs no introduction. It's one of the most popular Jamaican foods worldwide, ranked by National Geographic as the 2^nd best national dish in the world. It's certainly a must-try on any visit to Jamaica. The dish's status as a global icon means it has been added and adapted to restaurant menus all over the world. But if you’re seeking that authentic, on-island taste. You’ve got to make it Jamaica.

Jeremy and Lanesha Joyce of @blackpeopleeats learned how to make the dish during a cooking class at Hyatt Resorts in Montego Bay.

Jeremy and Lanesha Joyce - Cooking Class

Here’s a recipe from the chefs at Hyatt Resorts

Ingredients

1lb saltfish
2 dozen fresh ackees or 1 can
1 onion, chopped
1 bell pepper chopped
2 small to medium tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp thyme
1 scotch bonnet pepper, chopped (optional, but we strongly recommend)

Once the fruit is picked and cleaned, it’s time to boil the ackee and prepare the saltfish. Some cooks soak the saltfish in water overnight to remove excess salt, others boil the fish briefly before removing the bones.

Ackee and Saltfish ingredients - Cooking Class

Saute the herbs and aromatics including onions, garlic, thyme, tomatoes, and of course, scotch bonnet pepper.

Cooking Class - Ackee and Saltfish at Hyatt Resorts

Add the drained ackee and prepared saltfish, mix together and finish with a sprinkle of black pepper or paprika. The finished dish may be served with fried dumplings, callaloo (similar to spinach or amaranth), breadfruit, bammy (fried cassava cakes), and plantain.

Cooking Class at Hyatt Resorts - Ackee and Saltfish

So – what does ackee taste like?

Some have compared the texture to that of buttery scrambled eggs. Combined with saltfish and a variety of aromatics, it’s a delicious balance of savoury, spicy, and mild flavours - the perfect start to a day of exploring waterfalls, uncovering hidden treasures, or just soaking up the Jamaican sun.

Where to Try Ackee and Saltfish

Ackee and Saltfish is easy to find on restaurant menus – from fine dining to fast food chains and streetside vendors. Here are our picks for places to add to your ackee and saltfish adventure list.