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Jamaican Rundown

A traditional Jamaican dish — Rundown is coconut milk simmered down until it splits and turns into a rich, savory sauce, then used to cook flaked mackerel or fresh fish.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Jamaican Rundown - Jamaïcain recipe

A traditional Jamaican dish — Rundown is coconut milk simmered down until it splits and turns into a rich, savory sauce, then used to cook flaked mackerel or fresh fish. The name describes exactly what happens: the sauce ‘runs down’ as the coconut milk reduces. The result is creamy, briny and deeply comforting, mopped up with bammy or fried dumplings.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. If using salt mackerel, soak it in cold water for 2 hours, then boil for 10 minutes, drain and flake, discarding skin and bones; fresh fish needs no prep beyond seasoning.
  2. Heat the oil in a wide pot over medium heat, add the onion, garlic, scallions, thyme, ginger and pimento, and cook until fragrant, about 3 minutes.
  3. Pour in the coconut milk and bring to a gentle simmer; cook, stirring, for 10 to 15 minutes, until it thickens and flecks of oil appear on the surface — this is the rundown.
  4. Add the tomato and the whole scotch bonnet, then lay in the fish.
  5. Simmer gently for 10 to 12 minutes for fresh fish, or 5 minutes for cooked salt mackerel, until the fish is cooked through and the sauce clings to it.
  6. Serve hot over bammy, festival or boiled green bananas.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Watch the coconut milk carefully as it runs down — it can go from silky to scorched quickly. Taste before adding any salt; salt mackerel is already briny.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →