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Escovitch Fish

A traditional Jamaican dish — Escovitch Fish is a whole fried fish smothered in a sharp, sweet-and-sour pickle of vinegar, onions, carrots and scotch bonnet.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 30 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Escovitch Fish - Jamaïcain recipe

A traditional Jamaican dish — Escovitch Fish is a whole fried fish smothered in a sharp, sweet-and-sour pickle of vinegar, onions, carrots and scotch bonnet. The name comes from the Spanish escabeche, a pickling technique Jamaica absorbed and made its own with fiery island peppers. Best served the day it is made, when the crisp fish meets the warm, tangy escovitch sauce.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Score the fish on both sides with a sharp knife, then season inside and out with salt, black pepper, garlic and thyme; let it sit for 15 minutes.
  2. Heat 1 inch (2.5 cm) of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and dust the fish with flour, shaking off the excess.
  3. Fry the fish for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until deeply golden and crisp, then transfer to a serving platter.
  4. In a separate pot, bring the vinegar, water, pimento berries and a pinch of salt to a gentle boil.
  5. Add the onion rings, carrots, bell pepper and scotch bonnet, and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes, until just tender but still bright.
  6. Pour the hot escovitch sauce and vegetables over the fried fish and let it sit for at least 10 minutes so the pickle works into the crisp skin, then serve.

💡 Chef tips & storage

A whole fish fries better than fillets — the bones hold it together and the head is the prized bite for many Jamaicans. The pickled vegetables can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for a week.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook30 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

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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 →