Jamaican Food Descriptions: A Flavorful Exploration of Island Cuisine

Discover a world of authentic Jamaican dishes that capture the vibrant spirit of the island. From fiery jerk chicken and comforting ackee and saltfish to hearty soups and delightful desserts, each recipe tells a story of tradition, innovation, and rich local flavors. Fresh ingredients like scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, and coconuts bring depth and contrast to every meal, while staples such as yams and plantains perfectly complement slow-cooked meats and seafood. Indulge in the warmth and heritage of Caribbean cuisine with every bite.

Breakfast Recipes

 

Ackee and Saltfish

Jamaica's national dish, featuring ackee and salted codfish, typically served with boiled green bananas or dumplings.

Banana Fritter

A sweet snack made from mashed ripe bananas, flour, sugar, and spices, deep-fried to perfection.

Banana Porridge

A creamy porridge made from green bananas, coconut milk, and spices, often sweetened with condensed milk.

Bammy

A traditional cassava flatbread, usually served with fried fish or other savory dishes.

Callaloo

A flavorful leafy green vegetable dish often prepared with onions, tomatoes, and scotch bonnet peppers.

Callaloo and Saltfish

Sautéed callaloo with salted codfish, served with boiled green bananas or dumplings.

Cornmeal Porridge

A comforting breakfast made from cornmeal, milk, spices, and sweetened with condensed milk.

Festival

A slightly sweet fried cornmeal dough often served with fried fish or jerk chicken.

Fried Breadfruit

Golden, crispy slices of breadfruit, typically enjoyed as a side dish.

Fried Dumpling

Delicious fried dough usually served alongside breakfast plates.

Fried Green Plantains (Stamp and Go)

Crispy slices of green plantains, perfect as a snack or side dish.

Fry Ripe Plantains

Sweet, ripe plantains fried until caramelized and served as a side.

Roasted Breadfruit

Whole breadfruit roasted until tender and flavorful, often enjoyed with traditional dishes.

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Dinner Recipes

 

Ackee and Saltfish

National favorite combining ackee with salted codfish, served with boiled green bananas or dumplings.

Boiled Breadfruit

Boiled until tender and paired with hearty mains like ackee and saltfish.

Boiled Green Banana

Green bananas boiled to perfection, a popular side dish.

Boiled Yam

A staple side where yams are boiled until soft and served with many entrées.

Brown Stew Chicken

Chicken browned and stewed in a savory sauce with vegetables and spices.

Brown Stew Chicken Foot

A variation of brown stew chicken prepared with chicken feet for extra richness.

Brown Stew Fish

Fish fried and then stewed in a spicy, savory sauce with vegetables.

Cow Foot

Slow-cooked cow feet with spices and beans, served with rice for a hearty meal.

Curry Chicken

Chicken simmered in a fragrant curry sauce with spices and coconut milk.

Curry Goat

Goat meat cooked in a spicy curry sauce, often served with rice and peas.

Escoveitch Sauce

Tangy vinegar-based sauce with onions, peppers, and carrots used to top fried fish.

Escoveitched Fish

Fried fish dressed in a zesty escoveitch sauce of vinegar, onions, and peppers.

Jamaican Fried Shrimps

Shrimps in seasoned batter and fried until golden and crispy.

Jerk Chicken

Chicken marinated in jerk spices and grilled or smoked.

Jerk Pork

Pork seasoned with jerk spices and grilled for a smoky, spicy flavor.

Mackeral Rundown

Mackerel cooked in a rich coconut milk sauce, served with boiled green bananas or dumplings.

Oxtail

Slow-cooked stew with oxtail, beans, and spices, known for deep flavor.

Rice and Peas

Rice cooked with kidney beans, coconut milk, and spices.

Roast Fish

Fish seasoned with herbs and spices, roasted in foil for a smoky flavor.

Seasoned Rice

Rice prepared with vegetables, herbs, and spices, served as a main or side.

Spinners

Small, doughy dumplings added to soups and stews for extra texture.

Steamed Fish

Lightly steamed fish with vegetables and herbs, served with dumplings or yam.

Stew Peas

Hearty stew with red kidney beans, salted meat, and spinners, served with rice.

Tripe and Beans

Slow-cooked tripe and beans in a savory sauce.

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Soup Recipes

 

Beef Soup

Hearty soup made from beef, vegetables, and spices.

Chicken Foot Soup

Flavorful soup with chicken feet, vegetables, and spices.

Chicken Soup

Comforting soup with chicken, vegetables, and herbs.

Fish Tea (Fish Soup)

Spicy fish soup with vegetables and seasonings.

Gungo Peas Soup

Soup made with gungo peas, meat, and vegetables.

Mannish Water (Goat Head Soup)

Spicy soup made from goat head, often served at celebrations.

Red Pea Soup

Rich soup with red peas, meat, and spices, often with dumplings.

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Drinks and Beverages

 

Apple Juice (Otaheiti Apple Juice)

Refreshing juice made from Otaheiti apples with a sweet, fruity flavor.

Bush Tea

Herbal infusion made from local herbs, traditionally used for wellness.

Carrot Juice

Vibrant juice from fresh carrots, often spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Cherry Juice

Sweet and tangy cherry drink.

Cucumber Juice

Crisp, hydrating juice made from cucumbers.

Ginger Beer Drink

Spicy, effervescent drink made from fermented ginger, sugar, and water.

Irish Moss

Nutrient-dense drink from Irish moss seaweed blended with milk and sweeteners.

Mango Drink

Sweet drink crafted from ripe mangoes.

Peanut Punch

Creamy, nutty drink made from peanuts, milk, and spices.

Sorrel Drink

Festive drink made from dried sorrel petals, ginger, and spices.

Soursop Juice

Refreshing juice with sweet-tart flavor and smooth texture.

Tamarind Drink

Tangy and sweet beverage made from tamarind pulp.

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Jamaican Cake and Snack Recipes

 

Asham

Traditional sweet made from grated cassava, coconut, and spices.

Boiled Shrimps

Shrimps boiled until tender, served as a savory snack or appetizer.

Breadfruit Chips

Crispy seasoned chips made from thin slices of breadfruit.

Bulla

Dense, slightly sweet Jamaican bread enjoyed with butter or cheese.

Coconut Drops

Chewy treats made from grated coconut, sugar, and spices.

Duckunoo (Blue Draw, Tie a Leaf)

Steamed pudding made with cornmeal, coconut, and spices, wrapped in a leaf.

Easter Bun

Spiced sweet bun with raisins, traditionally enjoyed during Easter.

Gizzadas

Pastry tarts filled with sweet grated coconut.

Grater Cake

Sliceable coconut candy made with sugar and spice.

Guava Jam

Sweet, tangy spread made from guava.

Hard Dough Bread

Dense, slightly sweet bread for meals or sandwiches.

Jamaica Fruit Cake

Rich fruitcake made with dried fruits, nuts, and rum.

Jamaica Gingerbread

Moist, spicy cake flavored with ginger.

Jackass Corn

Sweet and spicy cornmeal cake with coconut.

Patty

Flaky pastry filled with seasoned meat, vegetables, or cheese.

Peanut Cake

Crunchy sweet cake made from roasted peanuts and sugar.

Plantain Chips

Thinly sliced plantains fried to a crisp.

Rock Cake

Crumbly sweet cake with dried fruit.

Sweet Potato Pudding

Dense pudding of grated sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and spices.

Tamarind Balls

Sweet and tangy candies made from tamarind pulp.

Toto

Small, moist coconut cake enjoyed as a treat.

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Bread and Bun Recipes

 

Banana Bread

Moist, sweet bread made with ripe bananas.

Bun

Soft, sweet bread roll enjoyed with butter or cheese.

Easter Bun

Spiced sweet bun eaten during Easter, enriched with raisins.

Hard Dough Bread

Dense, slightly sweet bread ideal for sandwiches or with meals.

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