10+ Jamaican Recipes to Spice Up Your Cooking

Jamaican cuisine is known for its bold flavors and rich cultural heritage. You’ll discover dishes that showcase the island’s unique ingredients and cooking techniques.

These recipes will bring warmth to your meals. You can experience the vibrant spirit of Jamaica from your own kitchen.

From spicy jerk chicken to hearty rice and peas, Jamaican recipes offer something for everyone. Each dish tells a story, reflecting influences from Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Whether you’re new to cooking or have experience, you can enjoy preparing these delicious meals.

1) Jerk Chicken

Jerk chicken is a popular dish from Jamaica. It is known for its spicy and smoky flavor.

Marinate the chicken in a blend of herbs and spices for a unique taste. Legs and thighs work well for this recipe.

The jerk seasoning includes allspice, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers. You can cook jerk chicken on a grill or in the oven.

If you use the oven, heat it to 375°F (190°C). Cooking on a grill gives the chicken a lovely char and flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken legs or thighs
• 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 scallions, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the jerk seasoning, olive oil, scallions, and lime juice.
2. Coat the chicken with the marinade and let it sit for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) or heat the grill.
4. Cook the chicken in the oven for 35-45 minutes or grill until cooked through.

2) Rice and Peas

Rice and Peas is a classic Jamaican dish you can easily make at home. It combines rice with kidney beans and is flavored with coconut milk and spices.

This dish is often served as a side with various meals. The spices give it a warm, inviting flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups white rice
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 2 cups water
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (whole)
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Rinse the rice under cold water.
2. In a large pot, combine the rice, beans, coconut milk, water, garlic, thyme, and salt.
3. Add the Scotch bonnet pepper to the pot.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
5. Cook for 20 minutes or until rice is tender.
6. Remove the Scotch bonnet pepper before serving.

3) Curry Goat

Curry Goat is a classic Jamaican dish full of flavor. The goat meat is tender and well-seasoned.

Cook the goat slowly to let the spices soak in. Use spices like garlic, ginger, and hot pepper for a strong curry flavor.

Serve it hot with rice or dumplings.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds goat meat, cut into pieces
• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, grated
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole
• 3 cups water
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add onions, garlic, and ginger; sauté until soft.
3. Add the goat and curry powder, stirring to coat evenly.
4. Pour in water and add thyme and the whole pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and cover.
6. Simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours until the meat is tender. Add salt to taste.

4) Oxtail Stew

Oxtail stew is a hearty Jamaican dish. The oxtails become tender and full of flavor after slow cooking.

Start by marinating the oxtails with allspice and thyme. Cooking them with butter beans adds a creamy texture.

The stew gets its kick from Scotch bonnet peppers. Serve it with rice or bread to soak up the tasty gravy.

Ingredients

• 2.5 lbs oxtails
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper
• 1 cup butter beans
• 2 cups broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate the oxtails with spices overnight.
2. Brown the oxtails in a pot.
3. Add broth and bring to a boil.
4. Stir in butter beans and Scotch bonnet pepper.
5. Cover and simmer for about 2 hours at 300°F (150°C).
6. Serve hot with rice or bread.

5) Ackee and Saltfish

Ackee and saltfish is a beloved Jamaican dish. It combines salted cod with creamy ackee for a unique flavor.

This dish is often enjoyed for breakfast but works any time of the day. Start by soaking the salted cod to reduce saltiness.

Sauté the fish with onions, peppers, and spices. Add the ackee at the end to keep it tender.

Enjoy it with fried dumplings or plantains for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 8 oz salted cod fish, boned
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 green scallions, chopped
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 cup ackee (canned or fresh)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the salted cod for at least 2 hours. Rinse and drain.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
3. Add onion and scallions, sautéing until soft.
4. Add the drained cod and thyme. Cook for about 5 minutes.
5. Gently fold in the ackee. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

6) Escovitch Fish

Escovitch Fish is a popular Jamaican dish with crispy fried fish and zesty pickled vegetables. Use red snapper or another whole fish for this recipe.

Rinse your fish with lemon or lime juice. Season it with salt, pepper, and your favorite spices.

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C). Fry the fish until golden brown and cooked through.

Prepare the vegetable topping with carrots, bell peppers, and onions. Pickle the veggies with vinegar, spices, and herbs.

Top the fried fish with the spicy pickled vegetables before serving. Enjoy this dish with rice or festival.

Ingredients

• Whole fish (red snapper)
• Lemon or lime juice
• Salt
• Pepper
• Your choice of spices
• Carrots
• Bell peppers
• Onions
• Vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Rinse fish with lemon or lime juice.
2. Season fish with salt, pepper, and spices.
3. Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F (180°C).
4. Fry fish until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Slice vegetables and pickle with vinegar and spices.
6. Top fried fish with pickled vegetables before serving.

7) Brown Stew Chicken

Brown Stew Chicken is a Jamaican dish with rich flavors. Enjoy tender chicken pieces simmered in a savory sauce.

The dish includes onions, bell peppers, and a mix of spices. Serve it with steamed rice and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Fresh thyme

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken with salt, black pepper, garlic, and paprika.
2. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Brown the chicken on all sides.
3. Add onions, bell peppers, carrots, and thyme. Cook for 5 minutes.
4. Stir in soy sauce and brown sugar. Cover and simmer on low for 30 minutes.
5. Serve hot with rice.

8) Ital Vegan Meatballs

Ital vegan meatballs are a tasty plant-based meal. They use wholesome ingredients inspired by Jamaican cooking.

Sweet potatoes, red lentils, and millet create a flavorful meatball. Serve these meatballs with your favorite sauce or as part of a hearty dish.

They are great for family dinners or when you want a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes (1 lb)
• ½ cup red lentils
• ⅓ cup millet
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
• 1 large onion

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the sweet potatoes until tender, then mash them in a bowl.
3. In a pot, cook the red lentils and millet until soft.
4. Mix the mashed sweet potatoes with the cooked lentils, millet, chia seeds, and flax seeds.
5. Form the mixture into meatballs and place them on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.

9) Jamaican Banana Fritters

Jamaican banana fritters are a sweet and chewy treat. They are perfect for breakfast or a snack.

Use overripe bananas for the best flavor. You only need ripe bananas, flour, and a few other ingredients.

Adjust the sugar based on how sweet your bananas are. Fry the fritters until golden brown for a crispy outside and soft inside.

Serve them warm and enjoy the taste of Jamaica in every bite.

Ingredients

• 2-3 ripe bananas
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Mash the ripe bananas in a bowl.
2. Add flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
3. Mix well.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
5. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil.
6. Fry each side for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
7. Remove and drain on paper towels.
8. Serve warm.

10) Black Cake

Black Cake is a popular Jamaican dessert, especially during festive seasons. It has a rich, moist texture and a deep flavor from dried fruits soaked in rum and spices.

You need to combine dark rum, mixed dried fruits, and warm spices to make this cake. Soaking the fruits gives the cake a dense, delicious taste.

Ingredients

• 2 cups mixed dried fruits
• 1 cup dark rum
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the mixed dried fruits in dark rum overnight.

2. Preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).

3. Cream the butter and brown sugar together.

4. Add the soaked fruits and mix well.

5. Combine flour, baking powder, and spices in a bowl.

6. Gradually add the dry mix to the wet ingredients.

7. Pour the batter into a greased cake pan.

8. Bake for about 2 hours. Check with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.