One of the best ways to get to know a destination is through its food. This is where a country’s deep-rooted traditions come to life and where you can really immerse yourself in what a place is all about. The Caribbean is one of the best places in the world for food, and whether you’re wondering what to try on your next trip out there, or looking for ideas on how to recreate some of the destination’s more iconic dishes and flavours back home, our guide is guaranteed to get your taste buds tingling.
A culinary journey around the Caribbean is almost effortless, as there are opportunities to try new food around every corner. From the moment you step off the plane or cruise ship, you’ll be regularly greeted by the scents of jerk spices in the air, something sizzling on a roadside grill, and the sweet warmth of ripe mangoes. From fiery street food designed to be devoured on the spot, to slow-cooked island dishes you can recreate at home, here are some of the most typical Caribbean cuisines you don’t want to miss out on.
What is Caribbean Cuisine?
Caribbean cuisine isn’t just one style of cooking; it’s a vibrant fusion shaped by Indigenous Caribbean communities, African heritage, European colonial influence, and Indian and Chinese migration. What this culminates in are bold spices and flavours and recipes that have been passed down through the generations. Thanks to its luscious climate and close proximity to the ocean, you can also expect plenty of fresh seafood and ripe, tropical fruits.
Key ingredients to Caribbean cuisine include Scotch bonnet peppers, thyme, allspice, garlic, ginger, coconut milk, and fresh lime. Many dishes are marinated for depth of flavour, then slow-cooked to take this even further, resulting in something that not only tastes delicious, but the scent of cooking transports you right to a beachfront BBQ, where you can almost feel the sand between your toes. You’ll find similarities in food all across the islands, but each destination has its own unique twist, making this cuisine even more exciting.
What are Some Typical Caribbean Dishes?
Here are some typical Caribbean dishes that are guaranteed to whet your palette and introduce you to this nation’s diverse foodie scene.
Jerk Chicken
Jerk seasoning (and particularly jerk chicken) is one of the most famous dishes from the Caribbean. The meat is seasoned with pimento, Scotch bonnet peppers, and thyme, then slow-cooked over pimento wood to offer a smoky finish. Known for its heat, bold flavour,s and versatility, it’s a Caribbean cuisine staple. Eat with rice and peas, fried plantains, fresh bread or a simple salad to help balance some of the heat.
Plantains
Plantains look like bananas and are closely related to them, but they taste completely different. When ripe, plantains tend to be served sweet, and when they’re green, they make part of savoury dishes. One of the best things about plantains is their versatility – they work for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or snacks. You can boil them, sprinkle them with sugar and bake them, add them to salads, and so much more!
Across the Caribbean islands, you’ll find traditional fritters, usually made with salted cod, but sometimes shrimp or conch. These are popular snacks or appetisers, particularly in Guadeloupe or Martinique. Salted cod is soaked for 12-24 hours to remove the salt, then boiled, flaked and mixed into a thick batter before being deep-fried in hot oil until brown and crispy.
Ackee and Saltfish
Ackee and Saltfish is the national dish of Jamaica and combines salted cod with ackee. Traditionally served as a breakfast or brunch item, the codfish is cooked and flaked, then added to sauteed vegetables before the ackee is gently folded in to avoid breaking it into a paste. The result is something fresh, flavoursome and often compared to scrambled eggs with a twist!
Rice and Peas
While you might picture plain white grains of rice with some boiled peas mixed in, Caribbean rice and peas is a side dish that’s much more interesting! A staple across many islands, it’s made from kidney beans, coconut milk and fresh thyme, making it light and fresh – and ideal for taking away heat from spicy dishes. It’s typically served with proteins like jerk chicken, curry goat, oxtail, or fried fish.
Fungee
A traditional dish from Antigua and Barbuda, fungee is made from cornmeal and okra, cooked together into a smooth, polenta-like consistency. It’s commonly served with pepperpot (a hearty meat and vegetable stew), alongside steamed fish, or fish stews. A dish similar to Fungee is the national dish of Barbados, called cou-cou. It’s very similar to the above, but served with flying fish.
Cracked Conch
A signature dish of The Bahamas, cracked conch features tenderised conch meat that’s battered and fried until crisp. It’s typically served with rice and beans or coleslaw and accompanied by a sauce (typically hot sauce such as goat pepper sauce) and sweet bread.
Fritters (Accras)
Curry Goat
Found across several islands but particularly associated with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, curry goat is an extremely popular staple in the Caribbean. Often served during special occasions, holidays, and Sunday dinners, it is known for its tender meat simmered in a rich and slightly spicy sauce. This tends to be served with rice and peas, white rice, roti, or fried plantains.
Callaloo
Eaten across the Caribbean, callaloo refers to both a leafy green vegetable (often amaranth or taro leaves) and the dishes made from it. In Trinidad and Tobago, it’s commonly cooked into a creamy, coconut-based stew. In Jamaica, it tends to be steamed with saltfish, tomatoes, and onions as a breakfast dish. It’s also popular as a filling for patties or other savoury pastries, making it a versatile ingredient across a range of different dishes.
Sancocho
Sancocho is a slow-cooked stew popular in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. It’s typically made with a mix of meats, root vegetables, and plantains simmered together in a savoury beef broth. It’s relatively simple to make and a great way to use up extra vegetables you have at home before they go off!
The Caribbean’s cuisine is as diverse as the islands themselves, taking you on a journey through luscious rainforest to the crystal clear oceans. Whether you’re dining barefoot by the sea, pulling up a plastic chair at a roadside stool, or looking to recreate some iconic Caribbean dishes at home, the above dishes are guaranteed to take you on a journey of flavours!
