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 (a fruit) and salted codfish, typically served with boiled green bananas or dumplings.

Banana Fritter

A sweet snack crafted 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

A delectable combination of sautéed callaloo and salted codfish, served with boiled green bananas or dumplings.

Cornmeal Porridge

A comforting Jamaican 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

A delicious, doughy fried bread served alongside various Jamaican meals.

Fried Green Plantains (Stamp and Go)

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

Fry Ripe Plantains

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

Roasted Breadfruit

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

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Dinner Recipes

 

Ackee and Saltfish

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

Boiled Breadfruit

Boiled until tender, this breadfruit dish pairs perfectly with hearty mains like ackee and saltfish.

Boiled Green Banana

Green bananas boiled to perfection, a popular side dish in Jamaican meals.

Boiled Yam

A staple side dish where yams are boiled until soft and served with a variety of entrees.

Brown Stew Chicken

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

Brown Stew Chicken Foot

A unique 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, traditionally served with rice and peas.

Escoveitch Sauce

A 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 dipped in a seasoned batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy.

Jerk Chicken

Chicken marinated in a fiery jerk spice blend and grilled or smoked to perfection.

Jerk Pork

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

Mackeral Rundown

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

Oxtail

A slow-cooked stew featuring oxtail, beans, and spices, known for its deep, hearty flavor.

Rice and Peas

A classic side dish made from rice cooked with kidney beans (peas), 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 savory main or side dish.

Spinners

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

Steamed Fish

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

Stew Peas

A hearty stew made with red kidney beans, salted meat, and spinners, traditionally served with rice.

Tripe and Beans

A traditional dish featuring slow-cooked tripe and beans in a savory sauce.

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Soup Recipes

 

Beef Soup

A hearty soup made from beef, vegetables, and spices, often enjoyed as a filling meal.

Chicken Foot Soup

A flavorful soup made from chicken feet, slow-cooked with vegetables and spices until tender.

Chicken Soup

A comforting soup made with chicken, vegetables, and herbs, often served with dumplings or rice.

Fish Tea (Fish Soup)

A spicy and tangy fish soup made with fish, vegetables, and seasonings, known for its rich flavor.

Gungo Peas Soup

A traditional Jamaican soup made with gungo peas (pigeon peas), meat, and vegetables, cooked in a flavorful broth.

Mannish Water (Goat Head Soup)

A hearty and spicy soup made from goat head, often enjoyed as a special dish for celebrations.

Red Pea Soup

A rich and savory soup made with red peas (kidney beans), meat, and spices, often served with dumplings or rice.

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Drinks and Beverages

 

Apple Juice (Otaheiti Apple Juice)

A refreshing juice made from Otaheiti apples, known for its sweet, fruity flavor.

Bush Tea

An herbal infusion made from a blend of local herbs, traditionally consumed for its medicinal properties.

Carrot Juice

A vibrant juice made from freshly blended carrots, often spiced with nutmeg and cinnamon.

Cherry Juice

A richly flavored juice derived from cherries, offering a sweet and tangy taste.

Cucumber Juice

A crisp and hydrating juice made from cucumbers, perfect for refreshing the palate.

Ginger Beer Drink

A spicy, effervescent beverage made from fermented ginger, sugar, and water, served chilled.

Irish Moss

A nutrient-dense drink made from Irish moss seaweed blended with milk and sweeteners.

Mango Drink

A tropical beverage crafted from ripe mangoes, offering a sweet and refreshing flavor.

Peanut Punch

A creamy, nutty drink made from peanuts, milk, and spices, known for its thick consistency.

Sorrel Drink

A festive beverage made from dried sorrel petals, ginger, and spices, often served during special occasions.

Sour Sop Juice

A refreshing juice made from soursop, prized for its sweet-tart flavor and smooth texture.

Tamarind Drink

A tangy and sweet beverage made from tamarind pulp, enjoyed chilled for its distinctive flavor.

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Jamaican Cake and Snack Recipes

 

Asham

A traditional sweet made from grated cassava, coconut, and spices, enjoyed as a snack or dessert.

Boiled Shrimps

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

Breadfruit Chips

Crispy, seasoned chips made from thin slices of breadfruit, perfect as a snack.

Bulla

A dense, slightly sweet Jamaican bread, often enjoyed with butter or cheese.

Coconut Drops

Chewy, candy-like treats made from grated coconut, sugar, and spices.

Duckunoo (Blue Draw, Tie a Leaf)

A steamed pudding made with cornmeal, coconut, and spices, traditionally wrapped in a leaf.

Easter Bun

A spiced, sweet bun enriched with raisins and glazed on top, traditionally enjoyed during Easter.

Gizzadas

Tart pastry tarts filled with a sweet mixture of grated coconut, sugar, and spices.

Grater Cake

A firm, sliceable cake made from grated coconut, sugar, and a hint of spice.

Guava Jam

A sweet, tangy spread made from guava, perfect for bread or pastries.

Hard Dough Bread

A dense, slightly sweet bread often served with Jamaican meals or used for sandwiches.

Jamaica Fruit Cake

A rich fruitcake made with dried fruits, nuts, and rum, steeped in tradition.

Jamaica Gingerbread

A moist, spicy cake flavored with ginger, often enjoyed as a dessert or snack.

Jackass Corn

A sweet and spicy cornmeal cake made with coconut and spices, traditionally served as a treat.

Patty

A flaky pastry filled with seasoned meat, vegetables, or cheese, popular as a snack or light meal.

Peanut Cake

A crunchy, sweet cake made from roasted peanuts and sugar, enjoyed as a dessert or snack.

Plantain Chips

Crispy chips made from thinly sliced plantains, seasoned and deep-fried to perfection.

Rock Cake

A crumbly, sweet cake made with flour, sugar, and dried fruit, known for its rustic appearance.

Sweet Potato Pudding

A dense pudding made from grated sweet potatoes, coconut milk, and spices, served as a dessert.

Tamarind Balls

Sweet and tangy candies made from tamarind pulp, rolled into balls and often dusted with sugar.

Toto

A small, moist cake made with grated coconut, flour, and spices, enjoyed as a sweet treat.

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Bread and Bun Recipes

 

Banana Bread

A moist, sweet bread made with ripe bananas, perfect as a snack or breakfast item.

Bun

A soft, sweet bread roll, often enjoyed with butter or cheese.

Easter Bun

A spiced, sweet bun traditionally eaten during Easter, enriched with raisins and a glossy finish.

Hard Dough Bread

A dense, slightly sweet bread ideal for sandwiches or served alongside hearty meals.

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