Saltfish and Butter Beans
This Saltfish and Butter Beans recipe is a traditional Jamaican meal that’s easy to make and full of delicious, savoury flavour. Perfect for breakfast or lunch, it brings together tender saltfish, creamy butter beans, and fragrant seasonings for a dish that’s both hearty and comforting.
Servings: 6 servings
Equipment
- Pot for boiling and desalinizing (desalting) the saltfish
- Colander or strainer to drain saltfish and butter beans
- Large Skillet or Sauté Pan for cooking and combining ingredients
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula to stir gently without mashing beans
Ingredients
- 1 can Butter Beans
- 2 lbs Boned Saltfish salted cod
- 1 med Onion diced
- 1/2 lrg Tomato diced
- 1/2 sm Scotch Bonnet Pepper sliced, seeds removed
- 4 sprigs Fresh Thyme
- 1/2 sm Red Bell Pepper diced
- 1/2 sm Green Bell Pepper diced
- 4 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 2 tbsp Ketchup
Instructions
- Rinse the saltfish, place in a pot of water, and bring to a boil for 10–15 minutes. Drain, replace with fresh water, and boil again if still too salty. Drain, cool slightly, then flake into bite-sized pieces.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, tomato, red and green bell peppers, and Scotch bonnet pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the flaked saltfish and thyme. Cook for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavours to blend.
- Gently fold in the butter beans, ketchup, and black pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally until heated through and slightly saucy. Add a few tbsp of water if needed.
- Remove thyme stems and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot and enjoy!