Jamaican Run Down is a fish stew dish cooked in coconut milk, onion, scallion, thyme, garlic and other seasoning.

This Jamaican Run Down dish is full of flavor and is referred to as ‘Run Dung’ back home.

It is eaten with boiled food such as bananas, yellow yam, breadfruit and of course some boiled dumplings.

This traditional dish is full of flavor and is so easy to make with simple ingredients from your pantry.

For this recipe, I used some Salted Mackerel for authenticity.

However, Saltfish aka Cod Fish can also be a great substitute.

The key ingredient for this recipe is the fresh coconut milk that gives it a lightly sweet flavorful sauce.

To learn how to make fresh coconut milk from scratch, click here.

What is Run Down ‘Run Dung’

Run Down ‘Run Dung’ is salted mackerel cooked down in fresh coconut milk that’s been reduced to form a custard (thick and creamy) sauce.

It is basically boiling down the coconut milk to remove the water from it to get a thick creamy sauce.

Hence, the name run down.

This old fashion recipe uses fresh coconut milk that was made from dried coconut.

Yes you can use canned coconut milk, but nothing like the real deal from some fresh Homemade Coconut Milk.

How to make Jamaican Run Down

Firstly, prepare the salted mackerel as described below and set aside.

Secondly, add the fresh coconut milk and pimento seeds into a large skillet. Let it boil until a custard is formed and coconut oil starts to form too.

Thirdly, once the custard is formed, add the onion, garlic, green bell pepper, scallions, thyme and tomatoes. Mix together.

Fourthly, add the mackerel pieces and black pepper. Slightly mix together and taste. If needed you can add salt or all purpose seasoning to taste.

Finally, allow to simmer for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve immediately with boiled dumpling, green bananas and yellow yam.

Jamaican Run Down Recipe

Ingredients

• 2lb Salted Mackerel
• 6 cups fresh Coconut Milk
• 1 medium Onion,
• 3 cloves of Garlic, chopped
• 3 stalks of Scallion (green onions), chopped
• 1/2 green Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 sprigs of Thyme, chopped
• 1 Scotch Bonnet Pepper (optional)
• 10 pimento seeds
• 1 Roma Tomato, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• Salt to taste (optional)

Instructions

How to prepare the Salted Mackerel

1. Prepare the Salted Mackerel by soaking in water overnight (enough to cover the salted mackerel) or for at least 4 hours.
2. Then throw away the water it was soaking in overnight and rinse off with fresh water.
3. Add the salted mackerel to a pot and pour water over it. Boil for about 30 minutes on medium heat. Taste and see if you want to boil it again with fresh water.
4. Discard the boiling water and add fresh water to cool the mackerel down.
5. Once the mackerel is cooled, remove the bones and break into pieces. You decide what size you want.
6. Set aside for later.

How to cook the Jamaican Run Down

1. Add the fresh coconut milk and Pimento Seeds to a large skillet and boil for about 20 to 30 minutes or until it becomes a custard.
2. Once the custard is formed, add the garlic, onion, scallion, green bell pepper, tomato and thyme.
3. Then add the mackerel pieces and black pepper. Mix together. Also add the whole scotch bonnet pepper on top, if you choose to.
4. Allow to simmer for about 10 minutes.
5. Taste and see if it needs any salt. Add some or all purpose seasoning if needed.
6. Remove from the heat.
7. Serve with some boiled dumplings, green bananas and yellow yam.

Notes:

1. Salted Mackerel or Saltfish (Codfish) can be used to make Jamaican Run Down, The choice is yours.
2. Soak the salted mackerel overnight or at least 4 hours in water.
3. You can chose to boil the salted mackerel again after the first 30 minutes, if it is still too salt for you.
4. Break the mackerel pieces to the size you want… big or small, it tastes the same.
5. Add the whole scotch bonnet pepper on top if you want to add it. You can cut small pieces if you like spice. But remember scotch bonnet pepper is very hot spicy, so please be careful.

Additional Recipes

• Turn Cornmeal
• Jamaican Rice & Peas
• Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding
• Coconut Curry Shrimp
• One Pot Jerk Chicken with Rice & Peas

Please let me know what you think about the Jamaican Run Down ‘Run Dung’ Recipe in the comment section below, when you give it a try. Leave a rating also.

Thank you for stopping by, please come back again.

Blessings and Love, as you carry on, on your YouNique Journey!