This Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge Recipe is one I grew up eating. Now my daughter, hubby, and I enjoy this recipe almost weekly. Make it in the Instant Pot for a hands off breakfast.
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The full recipe with ingredients/instructions is available on the recipe card at the bottom of the post. Important tips/tricks are also included in the blog post.
*Updated on 11/17/19
Update: After feedback by some readers on the Burn Signal this recipe may cause, I've updated this post. I've tested this recipe in multiple Instant Pot machines and could never get a burn signal. I was able to purchase an Instant Pot that was more sensitive to giving off a burn and was able to figure out the cause.
Some of the newer designs are more susceptible to giving off a burn while many older models won't. If your machine does give off a burn with this recipe, simply release the pressure valve to relase all the pressure, open the machine, whisk the ingredients and cook on sauté until thickened, about 8-10 more minutes. Then add in your condensed milk. Or, you can make my stovetop cornmeal porridge recipe.
Instapot!!! Ok, I know...it's called Instant Pot, but I like saying Instapot! I got an instant pot over the Christmas break and I've been loving this thing. What the heck is an Instant Pot you may ask?!? Well that's what I wondered when I ordered it with no clue what it was. But everyone was getting it so I wanted one too. Well, it's pretty much a pressure cooker. An electronic genius pressure cooker that won't blow up in your kitchen if you follow the instructions. It has tons of settings and you can find one on Amazon for a pretty reasonable price.
My instant pot has a bunch of settings, from meat, poultry, soup, saute, slow cooker, and porridge. Yes, there is a setting on the instant pot for porridge. It isn't quite clear what they expect to be made with this setting but I automatically thought about Jamaican cornmeal porridge and got excited. Pretty much the reason I bought mine.
Jamaican cornmeal porridge is simply made with yellow cornmeal, milk, water, spices, and condensed milk. That's it for this easy breakfast. It's served warm and I like to serve mine with a side of bacon. I would serve everything with a side of bacon if I could. Bacon is amazing.
I hope you enjoy this easy peasy breakfast recipe as much as we do. Keep a lookout for some other Instapot recipes to come your way. This thing is pretty cool.
Notes on Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
- Traditionally, cornmeal porridge is made on the stove and requires stirring. If you're going to use the Instapot, make sure you use super fine cornmeal to avoid any lumps.
- I use condensed milk to sweeten my porridge. Feel free to use sugar as a substitute if you like.
Looking for other Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes? Try these out:
- Pumpkin Pie Instant Pot Oatmeal
- Instant Pot Sausage Gravy for Biscuits and Gravy
- Creamy Cheddar and Jalapeño Instant Pot Grits
- Instant Pot Egg Bites
Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
Ingredients
- 4 cups water separated
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal fine
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 3 pimento berries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ground
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
Instructions
- Add 3 cups water and 1 cup milk to Instant pot and stir.In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup water and cornmeal until fully combined. Add to instant pot and whis. Add cinnamon sticks, pimento berries, vanilla extract, and nutmeg. Cover and cook on porridge for 6 minutes. Once timer goes off, allow to naturally release for at least 10 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure. Once done with natural release, open Instant Pot and whisk to remove any lumps. Add sweetened condensed milk to sweeten. Enjoy 🙂
Notes
Nutrition
Video for Instant Pot Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
Pin Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge for Later
jacquee | i sugar coat it! says
OMG, I remember being so scared when my grandmother would use the pressure cooker! I don't know if I am ready to try myself... this porridge sounds like the answer to our winter mornings!
Tanya says
Thanks! Yes, no fear when using this thing. I love it!
Zee says
First, your site name is great! Love it! Second it's interesting to see different ways to use cornmeal. And third, I'll definitely give this a try.
http://www.shapeupafrican.com
Tanya says
Thanks so much! It is very interesting. Honestly, this is the most popular way cornmeal gets used in our household.
Jazz says
This looks good! I've never cooked with pimento berries before.
Tanya says
Thank you! You should give them a try, they are really popular in Caribbean cooking.
Heather says
They're just whole allspice
Marie-Pierre says
This sounds yummy and I love your cups! They look divine!
Tanya says
Thank you! I got these beauties at a thrift store, I am huge on bargain shopping.
Corina says
I've never had Jamaican cornmeal porridge before but it sounds delicious with all those spices in it! The pressure cooker sounds really useful too - I'm sure it makes life easier.
Tanya says
Thanks! yes, I love this pressure cooker.
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
I have a pressure cooker, and do love it. I also LOVE cornmeal, but have NEVER eaten it for breakfast. I will have to give this a try. Printing right now!!
Tanya says
Thanks! It's one of my favorite daughter's favorite breakfast recipes. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
Erica says
I must get an instant pot soon! So many wonderful recipes, just like this one for porridge. Sounds delicious, thanks for sharing!
Tanya says
thank you for reading 🙂
GinaMarie says
I am so getting one of those! Lol never heard of an instant pot before. The dish looks amazing
Tanya says
Thank you! You've got to try it, it's one of my favorite kitchen appliances.
Aaron | The Hungry Hutch says
I've been hearing so much about the Instant Pot! Maybe I'll give it a try.
Tanya says
you should. I love using it on the weeknights especially, makes my life so much easier.
Marsha says
This is bringing me back to my childhood! Nice breakfast to have on a cold winter day. I liked the video!
Tanya says
Thanks so much. Yes, perfect winter morning breakfast.
Leslie says
I do a similar recipe but with grits! I will try yours as I bet my little one would love it. Thanks for sharing!
Tanya says
Yummy grits! I haven't tried that in my Instant Pot but I think I need to.
Fred says
We had something similar growing up in Ghana. This does sound delish and when you have this for breakfast it will last you most of the day. Thanks for sharing!
Tanya says
Thank you. I am sure a lot of the dishes we create will be similar. What was your breakfast in Ghana like?
Lynn | The Road to Honey says
I visited my mom over the holidays and she had one of these bad boys sitting in her kitchen. She absolutely adores it. I myself haven't quite gotten onto the Instant Pot craze. . .because. . .well. . .I live in Boston. . .and my kitchen is teensy weensy so I have no room for it (our pressure cooker is stuck in storage at the moment). But I love that it is a pressure cooker & crock pot all in one. Definitely a fantastic way to consolidate appliances.
Tanya says
It is such a great appliance but I do fear that I will neglect my stove top and oven. I may need to store mine away to avoid using it everyday.
Britt | Sweet Tea & Thyme says
Girl I am terrified of pressure cookers! I had a friend who had it blow up on him and he had these horrible scars on his neck and chest from it! Instant pot sounds like a really good alternative.
Tanya says
oh no! That is scary. This is a really good alternative though, haven't heard any negative stories about them.
Tenisha says
So is the natural release 14 mins? Or should i be cooking for 20 minutes ....I love porridge!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tanya says
Hey Tenisha, Your natural release should take about 14 minutes...but it all depends on your Instant Pot. I always wait until the silver button is all the way down before opening.