Yassa Marinade

A marinade and cooking sauce of caramelized onions, mustard, lime juice, and often a chili such as Scotch bonnet, used both to marinate and to braise chicken or fish (poulet yassa, poisson yassa).

Flavor Profile

Tangy and sharp from lime and mustard, sweetened by long-cooked onions, with moderate background heat.

Culinary Uses

Used as a marinade before grilling or frying the protein, then as the braising liquid the onions are stewed in and served over rice.

Regional Variations

Fish yassa (coastal) versus chicken yassa (more widespread) vary mainly in cook time and whether the protein is grilled first; some versions add a touch of sugar or bouillon cube for depth.

Storage

Best made and used within a day or two as a marinade; the finished braised onion sauce keeps 3–4 days refrigerated.