Yassa Fish

Name: Yassa Fish
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Gambian
Ingredients: 4 whole tilapia or red snapper, cleaned; 6 large onions, thinly sliced; Juice of 5 lemons; 2 tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 cup green olives, pitted; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tbsp vegetable oil; 2 Scotch bonnet peppers; 2 Maggi cubes; Salt and pepper; 1 bay leaf; 1 cup water

Yassa Jenn (YAH-sah JENN)

Lemon-Onion Braised Fish

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 388 kcal

Fresh fish marinated in lemon juice and mustard, then pan-fried and smothered in a tangy caramelized onion sauce with olives and Scotch bonnet.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 34.0g

Carbs 18.0g

Fat 20.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

dairy-free gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ fish ⚠ mustard

Equipment Needed

large skillet saucepan sharp knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: oval platter

Garnishes: lemon wedges, green olives

Accompaniments: steamed rice, salad

Ingredients

4 whole tilapia or red snapper, cleaned
6 large onions, thinly sliced
Juice of 5 lemons
2 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 cup green olives, pitted
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp vegetable oil
2 Scotch bonnet peppers
2 Maggi cubes
Salt and pepper
1 bay leaf
1 cup water

Instructions

1
Marinate fish in lemon juice, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper for one hour.
2
Remove fish and pat dry, reserving marinade. Pan-fry fish in oil until golden on both sides.
3
In the same pan, add more oil and cook onions slowly until deeply caramelized, about twenty minutes.
4
Add reserved marinade, olives, bay leaf, Scotch bonnet, and Maggi cubes to the onions.
5
Return fish to the pan, add water, and simmer covered for fifteen minutes.
6
Serve fish topped with the onion sauce alongside steamed rice.

💡

Did You Know?

The fish version of yassa is often preferred over chicken along the Gambian coast, where fresh catches from the Atlantic are available daily.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large skillet
saucepan
sharp knife

Garnishing

lemon wedges, green olives

Accompaniments

steamed rice, salad

The Story Behind Yassa Fish

Yassa fish is the coastal variation of the beloved Senegambian yassa tradition. While the chicken version is more widely known internationally, the fish preparation is arguably older, originating in the fishing communities along the Gambia River and Atlantic coast. The lemon-onion combination served as both flavoring and preservation in the tropical climate. This dish exemplifies the Gambian philosophy of using abundant local ingredients to create dishes of remarkable depth.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch or dinner 📜 Origins: Casamance origin

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