Caribbean-Style Steamed Fish Grain Bowl with Seasonal Vegetables
A vibrant and wholesome grain bowl featuring steamed fresh fish inspired by traditional Caribbean flavors. This dish includes a medley of seasonal vegetables and hearty grains, offering a light yet satisfying weeknight meal that highlights the freshness of the ingredients.
Advert
Cook mode
Keep everything you need at arm’s reach - scaled servings, tidy checklists, and timers that stay on task.
Overview
This Caribbean-Style Steamed Fish Grain Bowl combines tender, flaky steamed fish with a colorful array of seasonal vegetables and a bed of hearty grains. Steaming the fish preserves moisture and delicate flavors enhanced by a bright Caribbean marinade of citrus, garlic, and herbs. The seasonal vegetables add crunch and freshness, while the grains provide satisfying texture and nutrition, making this grain bowl an ideal, balanced weeknight meal.
Why you’ll love it
- Quick and easy steaming method locks in flavor and nutrients.
- Fresh Caribbean herbs and citrus bring vibrant taste.
- Versatile: easily swap vegetables or grains based on seasonality.
- Light yet satisfying — perfect for a wholesome dinner any night.
Ingredient notes
Fish: Use fresh white fish fillets like snapper, cod, or sea bass, which hold up well to steaming and absorb the marinade beautifully.
Advert
Grains: Brown rice, quinoa, or farro all work well; cook grains according to package instructions.
Seasonal vegetables: Choose a mix such as bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, green beans, or cherry tomatoes. Trim and cut uniformly for even cooking.
Advert
Herbs & aromatics: Fresh cilantro, scallions, garlic, and lime juice deliver classic Caribbean brightness.
Serving & storage
Serve this grain bowl warm, drizzled with extra lime juice or a light dressing if desired. Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or stovetop steamer to preserve moisture. Consume fish within safe timeframes and discard if any off-smell or texture occurs.
Advert
Chef tips
- Use a thermometer to ensure fish reaches an internal temperature of 63°C (145°F) for safe consumption.
- If you don’t have a steamer basket, use a heatproof plate on a wire rack inside a pot with water below the rack level.
- Marinate the fish no longer than 15 minutes to preserve texture.
- Feel free to substitute grains with couscous or barley for variety.
Ingredients
- 500 g (1.1 lb) fresh white fish fillets (snapper, cod, or sea bass)fresh white fish fillets
- 1 tbsp olive oilolive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, mincedgarlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juicefresh lime juice
- 1 tsp finely chopped fresh cilantrofresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/2 tsp ground allspiceground allspice
- 1/2 tsp saltsalt
- 1/4 tsp black pepperblack pepper
- 200 g (1 cup) brown rice or quinoa, cookedbrown rice or quinoa, cooked
- 1 small red bell pepper, thinly slicedred bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced into half-moonszucchini, sliced
- 100 g (3.5 oz) green beans, trimmed and halvedgreen beans, trimmed and halved
- 1 small carrot, juliennedcarrot, julienned
- 1 tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, for garnishfresh cilantro leaves, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for servinglime wedges, for serving
Advert
Equipment
- steamer basket or steaming setup
- large saucepan or pot
- mixing bowl
- cutting board
- knife
- measuring spoons
- rice cooker or pot for grains
Nutrition per serving
- Calories410
- Protein35 g
- Carbs45 g
- Fat8 g
Step-by-step
Step 1
In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, lime juice, cilantro, ground allspice, salt, and black pepper to create the marinade.Step 2
Add the fish fillets to the marinade, turning gently to coat. Let them marinate at room temperature for 10 minutes.Step 3
While the fish marinates, prepare your grains according to package instructions. Keep warm once cooked.Step 4
Prepare the seasonal vegetables: slice bell pepper, zucchini, trim green beans, and julienne carrot. Arrange vegetables in the steamer basket or on a heatproof plate.Step 5
Place the marinated fish fillets on top of the vegetables in the steamer basket to allow the fish juices to flavor the veggies during cooking.Step 6
Fill a large saucepan or pot with about 5 cm (2 inches) of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place the steamer basket inside, cover, and steam the fish and vegetables for 12-15 minutes until the fish flakes easily with a fork and vegetables are tender-crisp.Step 7
Carefully remove the steamer basket. Check fish doneness by flaking with a fork; ensure it is opaque throughout.Step 8
To serve, divide cooked grains between serving bowls. Top with steamed fish and vegetables. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and lime wedges. Drizzle with extra lime juice if desired.
Advert
Tags
Advert
Related recipes
Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pumpkin and Beef Stew
A hearty and comforting Caribbean-inspired stew featuring tender beef chunks slow-cooked with seasonal pumpkin, aromatic spices, and root vegetables. This dish highlights traditional flavors and utilizes pressure cooking to achieve rich depth in a time-efficient manner, perfect for weeknight dinners.
Jamaican Beef Stew with Dumplings
A hearty Jamaican beef stew simmered with seasonal root vegetables and aromatic spices, served alongside traditional boiled dumplings. This comforting dish showcases classic Caribbean flavors and embraces a slow-cooked technique perfect for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Slow-Braised Caribbean Jerk Pork with Coconut Rice Grain Bowl
A comforting grain bowl featuring slow-braised Caribbean jerk-spiced pork shoulder paired with fragrant coconut rice and a medley of fresh seasonal vegetables. This dish highlights the richness of Caribbean flavors using a slow braising method to deepen taste and tenderize the pork, served over a vibrant bed of coconut-infused rice for a balanced weeknight meal.