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Jamaican Seasoned Rice Recipe
A Simple, Flavorful One-Pot Meal

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Jamaican Seasoned Rice Recipe | Image Source: Healthier StepsJamaican Seasoned Rice Recipe | Image Source: Healthier Steps

By Venesha Johnson | Associate Writer

Jamaican seasoned rice is one of those dishes that brings comfort and satisfaction to every bite. It’s simple, hearty, and loaded with flavour. It's the perfect dish for a lazy dinner when you want something that’s both filling and delicious. While there are countless variations of seasoned rice, I am going to share with you the one I love the most.

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Season rice can be as elaborate as you like, but for me, the simpler it is the better. For this season rice recipe, which is probably the go-to way for making season rice in Jamaica you will need the basics, rice, saltfish, ackee, and natural seasonings.

Tips for Perfect Jamaican Seasoned Rice

  1. Rice Texture: The type of rice you use is crucial. Parboiled rice or jasmine rice is ideal for this dish because it holds its shape well and doesn’t get too sticky. If you're using regular rice, just be careful not to over-stir, as this can cause it to become mushy.

  2. Using a Rice Cooker: If you have a rice cooker, it can make your life much easier. You can simply toss all the ingredients into the pot and let the cooker do the work. If you’re using a regular pot, just make sure you keep an eye on it towards the end of cooking to prevent it from burning.

  3. Ackee Tips: Fresh ackee is often considered the best option for this dish, but if canned ackee is all you have access to, don’t worry! Just make sure to handle it gently, especially when stirring it into the rice to avoid mashing it.

Jamaican Seasoned Rice Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Jasmine rice (or any rice of your choice)
  • 1/2 pound saltfish
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1-2 scotch bonnet peppers (depending on how spicy you like it)
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/2 cup coconut milk
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • ½ lb ackee (cleaned and cooked)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Saltfish: wash off the excess salt and boil it for about 15 minutes. Once done, wash it again in cold water, remove the skin and bones, and then flake it into small pieces.

  2. Cook the Aromatics: In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, garlic, bell peppers, thyme, and scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté for a couple of minutes until the vegetables soften and become fragrant. Stir in the flaked saltfish and let everything cook together for a minute or two so the flavours meld.

  3. Prepare the Rice: Add the rinsed rice to the pot, stirring it around so it’s coated in the seasonings. Then, pour in the coconut milk, water, salt, and most of the scallions. Cover the pot and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until most of the water is absorbed and the rice is tender.

  4. Steam the Ackee: Once the rice is almost done, gently place the ackee on top of the rice. Cover the pot with cling wrap, then cover with the lid again. Let it steam for about 10 minutes.

  5. Final Touches: Uncover the pot, stir from the bottom up (being careful not to break up the ackee), and taste the rice to make sure it's fully cooked. You can also add more seasoning if needed.

  6. Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Jamaican seasoned rice as is! No need to add a protein, although you can.

Customization Ideas:

  • Add Vegetables: Some people like to add mixed vegetables, carrots, or pumpkin for extra colour and nutrition. I sometimes swap out the ackee and use calaloo instead.
  • Coconut Milk: The coconut milk adds a lovely richness to the rice. But you can use just water, or broth.
  • Heat Level: Adjust the amount of scotch bonnet pepper depending on your heat tolerance. You can also leave it whole for a gentler flavour infusion without the intense heat.

The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility, whether you keep it simple or go all out with extra ingredients, it always delivers on flavour. And let’s face it, there's nothing better than a one-pot meal that makes both cooking and cleanup a breeze!

So, if you're looking for a quick and satisfying meal, give this seasoned rice recipe a try. It’s comfort food at its finest! For dessert, try one of our recipes from our ebook, Jamaican Sweet Treats.

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References & Sources For Jamaican Seasoned Rice Recipe

  1. Dianne. (2022, September 6). Jamaican Seasoned Rice with Ackee & Saltfish. Chinese-Jamaicangirl.com. https://chinese-jamaicangirl.com/jamaican-seasoned-rice-with-ackee-saltfish/

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