Salt Mackerel Run Down

Salt Mackerel Run Down or Mackerel Run Dung is a Classic Jamaican “belly full” breakfast. When served with boil hard food i.e yam, green banana, boil breadfruit, sweet potato and boil dumplings. This Salt Mackerel Run Dung recipe is loaded with lots of freshly squeezed coconut milk that is boiled to form custard, vegetables and of course Salt Mackerel.

Although Salt Mackerel also known as Pickled Mackerel is a traditional Jamaican breakfast. It can be prepared and eaten for lunch and dinner with your side dish of choice.

While some ingredients are always optional with this recipe I suggest you stick to the main ingredients: Salt Mackerel and coconut milk for that authentic Jamaican flavor.

What is Salt Mackerel?

Salt Mackerel is also known as pickled mackerel which is preserved in salt brine water.

Do you cook the Salt Mackerel?

Yes you have to rinse Salt Mackerel to remove excess salt and boil on medium heat for 15-20. However cooking is optional, you can soak to remove excess salt although this process is longer.

More Jamaican Inspired Recipe:

Stew Pork and Beans
Jamaican Saltfish Fritters/Flittas 

What ingredients will I need?

Salt Mackerel Run Down recipe uses simple ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store.

Salt Mackerel – Cannot forget about the main ingredients for this recipe absolutely no substitution.
Coconut Milk –  Fresh coconut milk is always recommended, however coconut milk in the can works just fine.
Vegetables – Onion slice, garlic, green onion, tomato and bell peppers.
Herbs and Spices – Scotch bonnet pepper, all spice berries and thyme.
Butter – Unsalted butter for additional flavor. Even though butter is optional.
Powder seasoning – Complete season and black pepper.

How to make Salt Mackerel Run Down?

Step 1
Wash and boil Salt Mackerel in hot water for 20-35 minutes to remove excess salt. Drain Salt Mackerel and flake into small bite size pieces.
 

Step 2
Using a hammer break coconut into piece, remove coconut flesh from hard shell, cut in smaller pieces, blend then strain to extract the milk.

Step 3
In a large enough sauce pan on medium – low heat boil coconut milk with all spice berries, scotch bonnet pepper until it turns custard and you see the oil separating. Add onion, thyme, tomato along with green, yellow, orange and red bell peppers with complete seasoning cook for 3-5 minutes.

Step 4
Add Salt Mackerel, cook for 5 minutes on medium heat. Stir, Cover to simmer for another 5-10 minutes on low heat. Add more black pepper, butter and seasoning if need to.

If you loved this recipe let me know with a thumbs up below! Also, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for even more delicious recipe tutorials. Thanks for stopping by!

The Recipe:

  Salt Mackerel Run Down

Ingredients

2 Lbs Salt mackerel
1 Coconut or 1 1/2 Can coconut milk
1 Medium onion slice
1-2 Cloves of garlic grater or chopped
2 Stalks green onion chopped
1 Scotch bonnet pepper
2 Roma tomato slice
3 Sprigs thyme
1 Teaspoon complete seasoning
1 Teaspoon unsalted butter
1/4 Green bell pepper slice
1/4 Red bell pepper slice
1/4 Yellow bell pepper slice
1/4 Orange bell pepper slice
5-6 All spice berries
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Wash and boil mackerel in hot water for 20-35 minutes to remove excess salt.

Drain mackerel and flake into small bite size pieces.

Using a hammer break coconut into piece, remove coconut flesh from hard shell, cut in smaller pieces, blend and then strain to extract the milk.

In a large enough sauce pan medium – low heat boil coconut milk with all spice berries and scotch bonnet pepper until it turns custard and you see the oil separating.

Add onion, thyme, tomato along with green, yellow, orange and red bell peppers with complete season cook for 3-5 minutes.

By now Salt Mackerel can be added and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat.

Stir and cover to simmer for another 5-10 minutes on low heat. You can add more black pepper, butter and seasoning if need to. Serve and Enjoy!