15 Tasty Jamaican Recipes (2024)

15 Tasty Jamaican Recipes – Treat your tastebuds to an amazing flavor explosion from authentic Jamaican recipes. These unique recipes feature highly-seasoned, savory, and spicy dishes, including chicken, oxtail, fish, and veggies. They are not only budget-friendly, but they are also divinely delicious! Perfect for your family cookout or go-to comfort food.

Jamaican cuisine is known for its diverse flavors, textures, and spices. The different cooking techniques reflect the varied cultures influenced by the people who have inhabited the island. And, of course, the African influence runs strong. Yum!

Locally grown produce spice it up, such as ackee and Scotch bonnet peppers. So yeah, if you love spicy food, then you’re in for a special treat with these tasty Jamaican recipes. ❤

Contents…

FAQs
Jamaican Brunch Recipes
1. Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
2. Ackee and Saltfish
3. Jamaican Rice and Peas
Jamaican Recipes for Dinner
4. Jamaican Oxtail Stew
5. Jamaican Jerk Chicken
6. Callaloo
7. Jamaican Red Stew Peas
8. Jamaican Run Down
Snack and Dessert Recipes
9. Jamaican Easter Spice Bun
10. Jamaican Meat Pie
11. Jamaican Saltfish Fritters
12. Jamaican Carrot Juice
Jamaican Sauces and Seasonings
13. Jamaican Curry Powder
14. Jerk Seasoning
15. Browning Sauce

FAQs

What are some traditional Jamaican recipes?

Varied Jamaican cuisine often includes coconut milk, hot chili peppers, herbs, and lots of spices. My top favorites are ackee and saltfish, rice and peas, jerk chicken, and callaloo.

What is Jamaica’s most popular dish?

According to my nerdy research, there is an ongoing battle between ackee and saltfish and jerk-flavored meat for the top spot in Jamaica’s most famous dish. At the same time, the Jamaican beef pie recipe and curry goat are close contenders, too.

What is a typical Jamaican Sunday dinner?

A special occasion can definitely mean breaking out the grill for jerk chicken. Oxtail stew served is also a family favorite. And most main dishes come with rice and peas and lots of veggies. What a feast!

Jamaican Brunch Recipes

1. Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge

Kickstart your day with a bowl of sweet and creamy cornmeal porridge that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth and belly. Incredibly easy to make with simple ingredients such as cornmeal, coconut milk, and condensed milk. Such a hassle-free breakfast you can quickly whip up in 25 minutes. Oh yes!

Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge

Tired of the same old oatmeal for breakfast? Mix things up with this warming cornmeal porridge instead! Infused with Caribbean spices and coconut milk, this Jamaican cornmeal porridge recipe is a thoroughly comforting breakfast.

Check out this recipe

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2. Ackee and Saltfish

Ackeeis actually a fruit belonging to the lychee and longan family. With that, you can tell how exciting this dish will be. And I’m telling you, it’s phenomenal! Especially when it’s oozing with fantastic flavors frombacon,onion,garlic,thyme,andpaprika. Indeed, one of the best Jamaican recipes to try. 😉

Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish

Jamaican ackee and saltfish is the quintessential Jamaican dish that will broaden your breakfast horizons and give you a delightfully unique tastebud sensation. It's made with a few ingredients you may not be familiar with, but believe me when I say that this breakfast is fit for a queen (or king 😉).

Check out this recipe

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3. Jamaican Rice and Peas

This Jamaican rice and peas recipe is one of my favorite comfort foods, and you’ll know why once you try it yourself. It’s basically rice cooked in coconut milk, herbs, and spices. And you’ll love it more because it’s creamy, spicy, and packed with nutrients, too. The perfect side forcurry chickenandjerk barbecue ribs. Yum! 😋

Jamaican Rice and Peas

An extraordinary rice and beans dish packed with protein and fiber. The fruity, woodsy, savory flavors deliver a Caribbean vacation in the comfort of your own home. Add baked or jerk chicken to this beautiful Caribbean feast for a culturally rich experience.

Check out this recipe

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Jamaican Recipes for Dinner

4. Jamaican Oxtail Stew

Would you like tender and juicy oxtail in a pool of rich and flavorful broth? Yes, please! It’s spicy and bursting with exquisite flavors from allspice, thyme, and paprika. This Jamaican oxtail recipe will surely sweep you off your feet with spoonfuls of its warm and soul-satisfying goodness. Truly comforting any time of the year. ❤

Jamaican Oxtail Stew (Plus Video)

Jamaican Oxtail Stew is out-of-this-world delicious oxtails braised with butter beans in a flavorful deep gravy amped up with Caribbean spice.

Check out this recipe

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5. Jamaican Jerk Chicken

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Excite your tastebuds with the perfect balance of heat and sweetness in this amazing Jamaican jerk chicken recipe. The secret? It’s none other than my homemade jerk seasoning along with pineapple juice and habanero peppers. It’s surprisingly easy to make. Plus, you can grill or bake these bad boys, too. Oh yes! 👌

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

This well-seasoned grilled chicken with Jamaican jerk marinade has the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Amazingly tender, moist, and juicy chicken bursting with savory flavors on every bite.You’ll want to make this all year round!

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6. Callaloo

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Meanwhile, you can pair this healthy recipe, callaloo, with any of your favorite proteins for a perfectly balanced meal. It can already stand on its own, though. You can also enjoy it completely vegan by skipping the bacon. Don’t forget the plantains because they go well together perfectly. 😉

Callaloo Recipe

A vibrant, healthy, and fresh way of cooking green leafy vegetables. This quick, easy, and delicious recipe is a great way to get healthy greens on the table with no complaints

Check out this recipe

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7. Jamaican Red Stew Peas

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Here’s another soul-warming and nutrient-packed stew that will surely knock your socks off. Its vibrant, creamy, and spicy broth comes primarily fromcoconut milk, Scotch bonnet pepper, herbs, and spices, like thyme, paprika, andgreen onion. Throw in your favorite meat such as oxtail, bacon,smoked turkey, or beef for the best tasting result. 😉

Jamaican Stew Peas

This cozy Jamaican stew is a delectable mix of red beans, meat, and special dumplings called spinners. Cook it all up in an aromatic coconut milk broth with Jamaican spices for a hearty island stew!

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8. Jamaican Run Down

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Are you looking for a quick dinner recipe? Then, you might want to try this creamy and spicy fish stew in a tomato-based sauce. It’s something new and yet another healthy way of cooking fish besides frying and grilling. And most of all, it’s ready in 30 minutes. Amazing, huh? Quick, easy, and delicious! Oh yes! ❤

Jamaican Run Down

Jamaican run down – An incredible flavorful Fish stew cooked in coconut milk, tomato, onions, garlic and other seasonings , until it thickens up . Pair with dumplings, boiled bananas or rice for one amazing taste.

Check out this recipe

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Snack and Dessert Recipes

9. Jamaican Easter Spice Bun

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Entice your tastebuds to a whole new level of deliciousness with this Jamaican bread dessert. It features dried fruits,Guinness stout, and warm spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. This soft and tender bun (or cake!) is the perfect dessert for the whole family with or without occasion. And it can double as a snack and brekky, too. 😋

Jamaican Easter Spiced Bun

Jamaican Easter Spiced Bun — Highly Spiced Jamaican bread, soft, tender studded with raisins and fruits . Absolutely delightful anytime!

Check out this recipe

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10. Jamaican Meat Pie

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I’m not bragging here, but these Jamaican pies receive nothing but sweet compliments whenever I bring them to potlucks. They are always a hit! Well, I can’t blame them because how can you resist their buttery and flaky crust, not to mention the spicy and meaty filling. Aah! So delicious! Crank up the heat to add more wow factor. 😉

Jamaican Beef Patty

Spicy, flavorful beef stuffed in an amazing, super easy buttery dough. They come together quickly and fly off the table even faster. Simply delicious comfort food!

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11. Jamaican Saltfish Fritters

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Make sure to double the batch as these babies fly off the table quickly. Don’t tell me I didn’t warn you! Indeed, one of the tastiest Jamaican recipes you’ll ever have. Dip them withremoulade sauce,beer cheese dip, ortartar sauceto level up your snacking experience. 😉

Salt Fish Fritters

Spiced Jamaican Saltfish fritters – Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. A tastebud sensation!

Check out this recipe

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12. Jamaican Carrot Juice

All you need is some carrots,condensed milk, ginger, nutmeg, and you’re minutes away to enjoy this healthy and refreshing Jamaican recipe, carrot juice. And a splash of rum adds an exciting twist to our healthy drink. Or enjoy it in a vegan version with coconutmilk and coconut sugar instead of condensed milk. 👌

Jamaican Carrot Juice

Jamaican Carrot Juice is not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill carrot juice. It's adelightfully sweet beveragemade creamy with evaporated milk and kicked up on the flavor scale with drool-worthyisland spices. Enjoy it for breakfast or as a co*cktail.

Check out this recipe

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Jamaican Sauces and Seasonings

13. Jamaican Curry Powder

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Thanks to this humble seasoning, we enjoychicken curry,Jamaican curry goat,curry chicken salad, and more. And did you know you can make it at home? Yes, not only is it possible, but it’s also better than store-bought. 😉

Jamaican Curry Powder

Jamaican Curry Powder- Perfect blend of homemade Curry Powder. Quick, easy, no additives or fillersAND it tastes way better than your store-bought brands.

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14. Jerk Seasoning

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While this seasoning is often used as a rub or marinade for our favorite proteins, like Jamaican jerk chicken, Caribbean jerk barbecue ribs, and jerk shrimp, it’s not available everywhere. But don’t fret because you can now make it from scratch. Yaaay! And since it’s homemade, you can easily customize it to suit your taste. Double yaaay! 🤩

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning Recipe

Jamaican Jerk Seasoning – Save your money and make your jerk spices right at home. This deliciously volatile spice blend with garlic, onion, allspice, ginger, thyme, and cayenne pepper, among other fabulous spices, is super easy to customize. It's so versatile that you can use it for fish, chicken, meat, and even pasta.

Makes ¾ cup

Check out this recipe

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15. Browning Sauce

And, of course, you’ll love this homemade condiment, too. Not only does it enhances the flavor of our stews and cakes, but it also adds vibrant color to our dishes, too. And since it’s homemade, it’s cheaper and better because there are no additives and preservatives are added. 😉

Browning Sauce

This 3-ingredient sauce recipe is a game-changer to your usual stews, soups, barbecues, and even cakes. It adds a wonderful deep flavor with its lovely combination of sweet and salty and gives your dish a beautiful color. This homemade sauce will surely be your new favorite condiment alongside Worcestershire and Oyster Sauce.

Makes 1 cup

Check out this recipe

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Conclusion

Whether you’re cooking for the family on a regular weeknight rotation or for a crowd, these tasty Jamaican recipes will simplify your life and please everyone’s taste buds. My fave is the oxtail stew. Which recipe calls your name? Comment below! Thanks:)

15 Tasty Jamaican Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the #1 Jamaican dish? ›

Because ackee and saltfish is Jamaica's national dish and a staple, it's easy to find at just about any restaurant on the island. Many restaurants prepare ackee and saltfish by harvesting their own crops.

What is the most popular Jamaican dish? ›

1. Ackee and saltfish. Considered to be the national dish of Jamaica, ackee and saltfish is popular with both locals and tourists alike. Ackee is a fruit grown on the island which pairs perfectly with the salted cod.

What is Jamaica's national food? ›

Ackee and Saltfish: Jamaica's national dish is a must-try dish on any visit to the island. Ackee, Jamaica's national fruit, is sautéed with salt fish (cod) fish, onions, tomato, sweet pepper, and other seasonings after being boiled.

What is Jamaica's Christmas dish? ›

A most popular meal at this time of year is dinner, as around Christmastime this meal tends to be made in a special way. Traditional Jamaican Christmas dinner typically includes ham, oven-baked chicken, curried goat, oxtail, and fish. Based on the menu, these items would be cooked in various Jamaican styles.

What is Jamaica's national fruit? ›

The ackee fruit (Blighia sapida) is the national fruit of Jamaica. It was brought to the Caribbean from Ghana before 1725 as 'Ackee' or 'Aki', another name for the Akan people, Akyem.

Why do Jamaicans not eat pork? ›

Seventh Day Adventists and some other Sabbath keepers don't eat it. They say it is forbidden by God, which they say is in the Bible. Rastafarians also have this belief. Some ministers of religion interpret it that because the law is in the Old Testament it is meant only for Jews so therefore Christians can eat it.

What fruit is used in Jamaican food? ›

In addition to spices, Jamaican cuisine also makes use of a wide range of fresh ingredients. Tropical fruits like mangoes, papayas, and coconuts are often used in both savoury and sweet dishes, while staples like rice, beans, and plantains form the foundation of many meals.

What is Jamaica famous for? ›

What is Jamaica known for? Jamaica is known to be the birthplace of reggae, Bob Marley, world's fastest sprinters, Blue Mountain coffee, Red Stripe beer, Jamaican rum, beautiful beaches, jerk dishes, luxurious all-inclusive resorts and majestic waterfalls.

Is Jamaica known for their food? ›

Jamaican cuisine is unique because of its isolated roots and the way that it has preserved its core flavorings throughout centuries of outside influences. If you're reaching for a glass of water in Jamaica, chances are you are just getting started with the local Scotch Bonnet peppers.

Do Jamaicans eat fufu? ›

There are many versions of fufu, with each West African country featuring its own favorite recipe. Cuba, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico have their versions, too, with sweet plantains and added animal fats such as butter, bacon, or lard. In African tradition, fufu is served family style in a big round doughlike form.

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