Blending African, Spanish and Asian influences, Jamaican cooking has developed its own unique style. Traditional Jamaican food is very tasty. Here are the best Jamaican food recipes that you should try, from jerk chicken to ackee and saltfish.
Top Jamaican Food Recipes
One of the most popular varieties of Caribbean food, Jamaican meals have become popular throughout the world. Jamaican cuisine uses a range of different cooking techniques, from braising to barbecuing and deep-frying.
Several crops such as the ackee fruit were brought to Jamaica from West Africa and Southeast Asia. This diversity of ingredients gives the food a real edge.
These Jamaican recipes will give you a true flavour of this beautiful Caribbean island. Food in Jamaica can be quite spicy but you can adapt each of the following dishes to suit your own taste.
All dishes serve 4 people and are quick and easy to prepare. If you’re looking for Jamaican dinner ideas, you’re sure to enjoy these nutritious Caribbean food recipes.

1. Ackee and Saltfish
The national dish of Jamaica is ackee and saltfish. Although it looks a bit like scrambled eggs, ackee is actually a fruit.
Ackee wasn’t originally indigenous to Jamaica but now grows there abundantly. The fruit has to ripen on the tree before picking as the unripe fruit contains a toxin.
Once ripe, ackee has a number of health benefits due to the high number of nutrients it contains. To make ackee and salt fish, fry salt cod, scotch bonnet pepper, tomatoes, onion, garlic and scallion with boiled ackee.
As Scotch bonnet pepper is over 40 times hotter than a jalapeno, you can always omit it or chop it very finely. We tried ackee and saltfish for breakfast at Kanopi House in Port Antonio, but it can be eaten at any time of day.
Here’s a simple ackee and saltfish recipe.
One of the best Jamaican dishes, this meal is filling and nutritious.Ackee and Saltfish
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 151
You usually serve ackee with fried dumplings, another popular Jamaican dish. Ackee is also used to make a sweet wine and as a herbal treatment for many ailments.

2. Jamaica Jerk
Whilst jerk chicken is the most popular Jamaican food worldwide, you can also try Jamaican jerk pork, sausage and even rabbit. The term jerk refers to the method of seasoning and cooking and the technique dates back to the 1600s. Jamaica jerk chicken is very different from curry chicken, which generally includes dried chilli powder and turmeric.
At that period, runaway slaves who were known as Maroons escaped to the mountainous regions of Jamaica. There, they encountered the Taino and Arawak tribes who had developed specific ways of preserving meat by hanging it over a low fire.
It is thought that the covered pit used to cook jerk was a way of hiding any smoke from cooking, which might lead to their discovery and recapture. The village of Boston in Jamaica is considered to be the birthplace of jerk cooking. If you visit today you can still try authentic jerk cooked by street vendors on open pits.
The pimento wood logs give the jerk meat its unique flavor. As for the spiciness, it’s down to the Scotch bonnet pepper used in the marinade. These hot peppers have quite a fiery taste, so you may need to drink a lot of water with your meal.
One of the most famous Jamaican dishes Jerk chicken is often considered to be the best Jamaican food and is traditionally served with rice and peas.
Jamaica Jerk Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 271
We also made a milder version by omitting the Scotch bonnet pepper, on a culinary tour of The Great House in Yaaman Adventure Park, thanks to our friendly and knowledgeable instructor.

Take a look at the culinary tour here:
Jerk chicken is frequently served with white rice and peas in Caribbean restaurants, like the delicious version we sampled at GoldenEye, the iconic resort in Oracabessa Bay.

3. Jamaican Patties
No visit to Jamaica would be complete without sampling traditional Jamaican patties. One of the best Jamaican dishes, it’s thought that they derive from Cornish pasties. These were introduced to the Caribbean by colonialists from Britain.
The pasties developed into the Jamaican patty, filled with ground beef, chicken, shrimp or cheese. Vegetarians should be aware that some of the cheese patties actually have beef mixed in with them.
Many people eat them with cocoa bread in a sandwich as a real carb fest. A few of the most popular patty stores are Juici Patties, Mothers and Tastee.
Here’s a quick and easy Jamaican beef patty recipe.

Jamaican Beef Patty
A great example of Jamaican cooking
Ingredients
- 250 g minced beef
- 500g pack of shortcrust pastry
- 1 egg
- 1 potato cut in 1 cm cubes
- 1 finely chopped small onion
- 2 crushed garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoons tomato purée
- 2 tablespoons of hot pepper sauce (or use finely chopped scotch bonnet peppers)
- 2 tablespoons turmeric powder
- Drizzle of oil
- Thyme sprigs
Instructions
- Heat the cooking oil in a pan over a low heat, then add the onion when it’s hot.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then increase the heat and add the beef and garlic and cook until the meat is browned.
- Add 200 ml of water, the potato, purée, thyme and half the turmeric.
- Cover the pan and allow to simmer for 15 minutes.
- Remove the lid and cook for 5 minutes longer, then add the hot pepper sauce and remove from the heat.
- Heat the oven to 220C or gas 7.
- Roll the pastry out and use a small plate to cut into 6 circles measuring approximately 15cm.
- Add mince to one side of each circle. Mix the rest of the turmeric with the beaten egg.
- Brush some of it around each circle’s edge before folding the pastry over and sealing the edges with a fork.
- Place onto a lined baking tray, brush with some more egg and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 336

4. Run Down
One of our favourite Jamaican foods to try, run down is made from fish such as mackerel, tomato, onion, garlic, scallion, Scotch bonnet pepper and coconut milk. This popular Jamaican dish takes its unusual name from the fact that its cooked until it “runs down” or falls apart.
Run Down
A tasty example of Jamaican cuisine
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pickled or salted mackerel
- 1 can coconut milk
- 1 thinly sliced onion
- 3 cloves crushed garlic
- 1 chopped tomato
- 2 chopped spring onions
- 1/2 thinly sliced scotch bonnet pepper
- Sprig of fresh or dried thyme
- 8 cups of water
Instructions
- Remove any bones from the mackerel and chop into small pieces.
- Place in a bowl and pour boiling water over fish to cover it.
- Let it stand for 30 minutes then drain water.
- Pour the coconut milk into a pan and add garlic, tomato. spring onion, scotch bonnet pepper, onion and thyme.
- Let the mixture cook until onion is softened, then add fish skin side down, turn heat to low and let it simmer until the fish is fully cooked for around 10 minutes.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 207
Run down is eaten at all times of the day, and often served with baked breadfruit, plantains, boiled bananas or dumplings.

5. Fried Fish
You can enjoy some of the best food in Jamaica at Miss T’s Kitchen, an authentic Jamaican restaurant in Ocho Rios.
Fried Fish
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 211
They do some great dishes including these fish bites and escovitch fish. This popular Jamaican main course is topped with Scotch bonnet peppers, onions, vinegar and pickled carrots.

6. Jamaican Oxtail Stew
Another of the best Jamaican foods that we tried at Miss T’s is oxtail stew, with butter beans, carrots and spinners, aka boiled dumplings. The meat is seasoned with black pepper and braised for several hours, making it extremely tender.
Cooking time is just one hour in a pressure cookerJamaican Oxtail Stew
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 312
This Jamaican oxtail recipe makes a very tasty supper.

7. Callaloo
This popular Jamaican side dish is made with amaranth, also known as callaloo and cooked with onions, scallions and salt. It tastes a little like spinach. The best thing about callaloo is that it contains many nutrients like vitamin A, B and C, calcium and iron.
A great Jamaican side dishCallaloo
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 85
Callaloo is often served with festival, a fried pastry made from cornmeal, flour and brown sugar.

8. Curried Goat
One of the most well known Jamaican dishes is curry goat. When slavery was abolished in Jamaica, many people came from India to work on the plantations and popularized curries on the island.
A traditional Jamaican recipe that's still very popular todayCurried Goat
Ingredients
Instructions
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 310
If you get the chance, try curried goat in Jamaica as it’s braised for many hours and has a more subtle taste than you’d expect. This traditional Jamaican dish is usually served with rice and peas or boiled green bananas.
You can also serve curry goat with roasted root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, yam, cassava or plantains. No special occasion in Jamaica is complete without this tasty meal.

9. Brown Stew Chicken
A filling Jamaican dish, Brown Stew Chicken is very easy to make. Also known as fricassee chicken, this tasty dish is often served with boiled potatoes, dumplings, plantains or yams.
A delicious and hearty Jamaican meal that's also very healthy. You can replace the hot pepper sauce with Scotch bonnet pepper if available.
Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Jamaican brown stew chicken takes its name from the rich color of the sauce. This is achieved by frying the chicken until it goes brown.

10. Jamaica Rum Cake
You can’t leave Jamaica without tucking into the Caribbean rum cake. The main ingredients are rum, Blue Mountain coffee, sugar, butter, flour and eggs.
Traditionally served at Christmas and for weddings and other special occasions, this famous Jamaican food lasts for months at room temperature. Here’s a tasty Jamaican rum cake recipe which you’re sure to enjoy.
A rich and delicious rum cake that is one of the most popular Caribbean food recipes. If possible, leave the Jamaica rum cake overnight in order to let the flavour develop.Jamaica Rum Cake
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 300
This sweet treat is definitely one of the top 10 Jamaican foods in our opinion. Other popular Jamaican desserts are gizzada (a mix of coconut flakes, brown sugar, flour and spices), coconut drops, sweet potato pudding and plantain tarts.

11. Black Bean Soup
Jamaican black bean soup is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is sure to delight any palate. This delectable soup is a staple in Jamaican cuisine and is enjoyed by many throughout the world.
The hearty black beans are simmered with aromatic herbs and spices, such as thyme, garlic, and scallions, creating a delicious and satisfying broth. Depending on the recipe, additional ingredients such as vegetables, meat, or rice might be included, enhancing the soup’s flavor and nutritional value further.
BLACK BEAN SOUP
Made with black beans, onions, peppers, and a variety of spices, this soup has a bold and complex flavor profile that will satisfy any foodie's taste buds. Whether enjoyed as a standalone meal or paired with rice, Jamaican black bean soup is the perfect comfort food during the cooler months. Not only is it delicious, but it is also a healthy option, as black beans are packed with protein and fiber.
Ingredients
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 4 cups of cooked black beans
- 1 tbsp vegetable or chicken stock powder
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbsps vinegar
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 small chilli or jalapeno pepper
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- Fresh cilantro to garnish
- Salt and pepper
- 3 cups of water
Instructions
- If using dried black beans, soak them overnight beforehand.
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a frying pan.
- Add the chopped jalapeno, dried thyme, chopped onion, cumin, chilli or jalapeno pepper, ginger and garlic and fry for around 6 minutes until soft.
- Add the stock, water, black beans and bay leaf and bring to the boil.
- Reduce the heat and cook for around 25 minutes.
- Stir in the vinegar.
- Season with salt and pepper and garnish with the washed, chopped cilantro.
Notes
Add cubes of ham hock or sweet potato for additional flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 448Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 667mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 17gSugar: 4gProtein: 27g
This soup is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans, and it’s also gluten-free, making it an excellent alternative to traditional soups. With all of its health benefits and savory qualities, Jamaican black bean soup is a must-try dish for anyone looking to experience authentic Jamaican cuisine.
It can be served with a variety of toppings such as sour cream, avocado, or cilantro, making it customizable to each individual’s taste.

12. Jerk Shrimp
Jamaican jerk shrimp is a Caribbean dish that’s a perfect blend of spice and flavor. The dish involves marinating the shrimp in a flavorful spice mixture before cooking the shrimp on the grill or in a cast-iron skillet. This adds an extra layer of smokiness and enhances the flavor of the shrimp.
Jamaican Jerk Shrimp
Jamaican jerk shrimp is a delightful dish that has made a name for itself in the world of seafood lovers. The savory, spicy flavors of the authentic Jamaican jerk seasoning blend perfectly with fresh, succulent shrimp. This mouthwatering dish is a staple in Jamaican cuisine and has become increasingly popular in many other parts of the world. The shrimp are marinated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, scallions, thyme, allspice, and habanero peppers, providing a bold and tangy flavor that is hard to resist. Jamaican jerk shrimp pairs perfectly with other Jamaican classics like rice and peas or fried plantains.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 pound of fresh peeled shrimp
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon jerk seasoning
- 4 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 tablesppon lime juice
Instructions
1. Place all ingredients except the olive oil in a covered dish in the refrigerator and marinade for up to 60 minutes.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the shrimp and marinade. Cook for around 3 minutes, until fully cooked.
Notes
Serve with rice or tacos. You can make your own jerk seasoning with cayenne pepper, garlic poweder, onion powder, cinnamon, brown sugar and pepper flakes if you prefer.
Jerk seasoning is prepared by mixing a range of spices such as allspice, thyme, scotch bonnet peppers, and garlic – giving the shrimp an authentic Jamaican twist. The shrimp are then grilled to a perfect texture, achieving a crispy exterior with a moist and juicy interior.
This dish is a must-have for seafood lovers and those wanting to experience an explosion of flavors!

13. Jamaican Fried Sweet Plantains
If you’re looking to add a little sweetness to your next meal, look no further than Jamaican fried sweet plantains. These tasty treats are a staple in Jamaica and can be found in street markets, restaurants, and homes all across the island.
Jamaican Fried Sweet Plantains
Jamaican fried sweet plantains are a staple in Jamaican cuisine with a flavor that is both sweet and savory. This dish, also known as "maduros," is made by slicing ripe plantains and frying them until they're golden brown. Unlike other plantain dishes, Jamaican fried sweet plantains are best when the plantains are nearly black in color, as this indicates ripeness and ensures maximum sweetness. Typically served as a side dish to main courses, these plantains make an excellent addition to any meal and are sure to be a hit with anyone who loves sweet and savory flavors.
Ingredients
- 1-2 large overripe plantains
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
- 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Peel and slice the plantain diagonally into one inch slices.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan.
- Add the plantain and fry for a few minutes until golden brown, turning once or twice.
- When cooked, if you like, you can sprinkle with brown sugar for added sweetness.
Notes
Serve with rice, meat or as a snack on their own.
Made from ripe plantains that have been sliced and fried, they are a perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. The outside is crispy and slightly caramelized, while the inside is soft and tender.
Fried sweet plantains can be enjoyed on their own as a snack, but they also make a delicious side dish for meat or fish. So why not spice up your next meal with the irresistible taste of Jamaican fried sweet plantains?

Ice Cold Jelly Coconut
This isn’t a Jamaican food recipe, but don’t miss ice cold jelly coconut if you’re in Jamaica. It holds a special place in the heart of most Jamaicans and you will see lots of roadside stalls selling “ice cold coconut jelly”.
Ice cold coconut comes only from green coconuts, not the brown ones and is believed by many to help flush out the digestive system.

We don’t know about you, but all this talk of food has got us hungry. Don’t miss picturesque I Scream store at Errol Flynn Marina in Portland or the historic landmark store at Devon House in Kingston.
Enjoy these traditional Jamaican dishes with a locally brewed Red Stripe beer, a cup of Blue Mountain coffee or the obligatory rum punch. Well it would be rude not to ;-).

In Conclusion: Jamaican Food Recipes
So there you have it, some of the best Jamaican food recipes that you can try at home. Which of these Jamaican food dishes is your favorite? Have you tried cooking any of these?
If you want to learn more about the culture and country, be sure to check out our other Jamaica articles. From history to tips on where to travel, we have everything you need to Know before your next trip. Thanks for reading and bon appetit!
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My favorite Jamaican dishes: the patties and the jerk chicken. This post makes me want to book a trip back to Jamaica ASAP!
Jessica
Yes we really liked the jerk chicken too, though the milder versions!
This is making me reeeeallly want to go to Jamaica! Looks so delicious.
Lucy x
I hope you get the chance to visit, Lucy! The food really is great there
Some of them were definitely out of mine too, but they tasted pretty good!
I must say, they were yummy – the pastry is so perfect
It all looks so delicious!
Interesting read, I didn’t know there were so many Jamaican dishes! I have had jerk chicken & rum cake, but I would like to try more dishes now!
Ooh. Sumptuous looking. I gotta be honest with you, girl. I haven’t tried any of these. But I’m most certainly willing to!
I love curried goat! I was skeptical about trying it the first time, because goat can seem odd to eat, but it’s delicious. I also love Jamaican jerk spice. I make a pork roast with it and serve it with a mango chutney. So good!
Curried goat— I’m not sure! I’m not that brave but we have a lot of jamaican patties here and I love it.
Those pictures, whoa, so many wonderful looking Jamaican dishes. I haven’t tried any of these, the fish dishes are definately on my list.
Oh yummy these all look amazing. I love Jamaican jerk though!
Isn’t it tasty! Can’t get enough of it
Suze all of this looks so good!!!! I love Jamaican food but it’s hard to find in San Francisco. I need to get to Jamaica and eat all of this!!
I hope you get the chance to go to Jamaica and to try the authentic flavours, Christine!
I love Jamaican food! There’s a new Cottons restaurant opening in our complex and I can’t wait to try it out!!!
Ooh that sounds good, thanks for the tip Honey
The Jamaican patties look good. This was one of the few tastes of Jamaica we could get in our local town when I was a kid, although we did call them Jamaican ‘pasties’.
Interesting that you called them pasties, as they were inspired by Cornish pasties – so tasty aren’t they!
I have heard so much about Ackee and saltfish so I definitely need to try this if I ever head to Jamaica (which I’m considering doing soon so will have to get your tips). Curried goat is also my fave!
Elle
xx
I really enjoyed ackee, it reminded me a lot of scrambled eggs but I think that’s because it looks so similar when cooked!
Had no idea that was the history behind jerk seasoning – love authentically made jerk chicken!
It’s fascinating isn’t it! Love a good jerk chicken too
The fried fish was amazing, so fresh and delicious! You have to try jerk chicken but I’d start off with a mild version
These dishes look amazing, especially the rum cake and the coconut jelly. Your post makes me want to fly to Jamaica.
Yum! All of this food looks amazing! Making me hungry, lol 🙂 I’d really love to try Callaloo, and I love Jamaican jerk chicken–all of the other dishes look great too though!
What an amazing place to visit! Thanks for the share, love checkin out your blog.
Dean
One of the best things about travelling is to try different flavours around the world! The food looks delicious – makes me want to visit Jamaica!
Miriam xx
I had no idea oxtail was Jamaican also what did goat taste like? I’m not very adventurous when it comes to meat but I am very intrigued!
Salt fish is wonderful with rice and peas. I love Jerk chicken but is often made to hot for my tastes. Goat I would imagine tastes better than it sounds Lucy x
I haven’t been there yet but I’l look out for these tasty looking dishes.
Escovitched fish : Enjoyed all day long, this delicious pan-fried fried fish (usually red snapper) is served with a sauce and pickled vegetables.