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Jamaican Fried Fish

A traditional Jamaican dish — Fried Fish is the island’s Friday-night ritual: whole fish dusted in seasoned flour and fried until the skin crackles and the flesh stays sweet and moist.

⏱ 15 minPrep time
🔥 20 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Jamaican Fried Fish - Jamaïcain recipe

A traditional Jamaican dish — Fried Fish is the island’s Friday-night ritual: whole fish dusted in seasoned flour and fried until the skin crackles and the flesh stays sweet and moist. It is served everywhere, from roadside stalls to hotel buffets, usually with bammy, festival and a sharp pepper sauce. Simple, fast and endlessly satisfying.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Rub the fish inside and out with the lime and half the salt, then rinse and pat completely dry.
  2. Mix the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, black pepper and remaining salt in a shallow dish.
  3. Dredge the fish in the seasoned flour, pressing it on well and shaking off the excess.
  4. Heat 1 inch (2.5 cm) of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  5. Fry the fish for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until deeply golden and crisp, then drain on paper towels.
  6. Serve hot with bammy, festival or fried dumplings, and a squeeze of lemon or a spoonful of pepper sauce.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Dry the fish thoroughly before dredging — any moisture makes the coating steam instead of crisp. Let the oil come back to temperature between batches.

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Recipe details

Prep15 min
Cook20 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 →