Skip to Content

Creamy Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge Recipe

Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge is smooth, creamy, and comforting. A popular breakfast dish in Jamaica, this porridge is the perfect recipe to start the day. 

cornmeal porridge in bowl with spoon on side


 

This post contains affiliate links, please read my full disclaimer here.

Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the 
recipe card at the bottom of the post. 
You can find important tips/tricks in the
blog post.

This porridge is the breakfast of champions! It’s comforting and keeps you full and ready to tackle your day. I grew up eating it, and I’m happy my kids now love it, too. 

When prepared just right, cornmeal porridge is a unique blend of smoothness, sweetness, and spice. The traditional Jamaican flavors of allspice, cinnamon, and nutmeg create a perfect harmony of tastes that you won’t find in any other breakfast dish. 

I’ve made this version with a can of coconut milk, but you could also use dairy milk in its place, whichever you prefer. The only must-have ingredient for this recipe is fine cornmeal, which yields the smoothest and creamiest porridge. 

Be sure to try my green banana porridge, too.

How to make Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge

First, add 2 1/2 cups water and one can of coconut milk to a four-qt heavy-bottomed pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. 

coconut milk and water boiling

Meanwhile, add 1 cup cornmeal and 1 1/2 cup water to a large mixing cup and whisk until smooth. This is how to avoid getting lumps in your cornmeal porridge. Please do not skip this step. 

Once the liquid in the pot begins to boil gently, whisk in the cornmeal mixture and continue to whisk for about 1 minute, ensuring there are no lumps. Reduce heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.

Cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. When there are about 5 minutes left, stir in vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.  

spiced being added to porridge

Remove from heat and stir in condensed milk to sweeten it.

condensed milk being puted into porridge

Serve and enjoy.

porridge with whisk stickign out

What is cornmeal?

Cornmeal is a meal ground from dried corn. Various grain sizes are available. For this recipe, ensure the label states “fine cornmeal” for the best results. 

Are cornmeal and cornflour the same?

Although they come from the same type of grain, they are not the same. Corn flour is ground until it takes on a powder form. You want to ensure you use “fine yellow cornmeal” for this recipe.  

What do you serve cornmeal porridge with?

Typically, I eat this by itself. A bowl really fills you up. You can serve it with fruit, breakfast meat like bacon, and eggs on the side if you wish. 

What does cornmeal porridge taste like?

Cornmeal porridge is smooth, creamy, and rich, similar to polenta. Polenta is usually savory. Porridge has a sweet, nutty flavor. People often season it with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Additional Notes

  • The condensed milk does add a delicious flavor to the porridge. If you prefer to keep the recipe dairy free, you can either leave out the condensed milk and use sugar to sweeten or use sweetened condensed coconut milk.
  • I used a can of coconut milk in this recipe but regular dairy milk can be used instead. In fact, I grew up eating it made with regular dairy milk and it’s still delicious.
  • For thicker cornmeal porridge, reduce the liquid you add initially or simmer for longer. If your porridge gets too thick, whisk in more water or milk until you reach your desired consistency.
cornmeal porridge in bowl with spoon on side

Looking for other Jamaican breakfast recipes? Try these out:

cornmeal porridge in bowl with spoon on side
Print Pin Save
4.86 from 28 votes

Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge Recipe

Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge is smooth, creamy, and comforting. A popular breakfast dish in Jamaica, this porridge is the perfect recipe to start the day.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Caribbean
Keyword cornmeal porridge, jamaican cornmeal porridge
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4 people
Calories 518kcal
Author Tanya

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water separated
  • 1 13.5 oz can coconut milk
  • 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
  • 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground all-spice
  • 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk or to taste

Instructions

  • Add 2 1/2 cups water, 1 can coconut milk to a 4 QT heavy bottomed pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  • Meanwhile, add 1 cup cornmeal and 1 1/2 cup water to a large mixing cup and whisk until smooth.
  • Once the pot begins to boil, whisk in cornmeal mixture and continue to whisk for about 1 minute, ensuring there are no lumps. Reduce heat to low and cover with a tight fitting lid.
  • Cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. When there is about 5 minutes left, stir in vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and all-spice. Remove from heat and sweeten with condensed milk.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • The condensed milk does add a delicious flavor to the porridge. If you prefer to keep the recipe dairy-free, you can either leave out the condensed milk and use sugar to sweeten or use sweetened condensed coconut milk.
  • I used a can of coconut milk in this recipe but regular dairy milk can be used instead.

Nutrition

Calories: 518kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 78mg | Potassium: 546mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 139mg | Iron: 3mg
My Southern Air Fryer ECookbookFind all my Top Southern Air Fryer recipes in one place! My Southern Air Fryer ECookbook!
Subscribe to my YouTubeSubscribe to my YouTube Channel for full length recipe videos. Click the bell icon to be notified when I upload a new video.
Tried this recipe? Share on InstagramMention @Myforkinglife or tag #myforkinglife!
Although myforkinglife.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Under no circumstances will myforkinglife.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.

This post was originally published on August 17, 2021. It has been updated with new and helpful information.

4.86 from 28 votes (21 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




n

Tuesday 15th of October 2024

amazing, can you do a peanut porridge recipe please :) :)

Tanya

Tuesday 15th of October 2024

Thanks so much, n! I'll add peanut porridge to my list as well. I'll see if my mom has a recipe she can share. Thanks so much!

Patricia

Sunday 29th of September 2024

I remember the first time i had porridge. I fell in love. Today i made it for me and my momma and wow wow wow ! It reminded me of my first time! This was delicious!!! I made it with coconut milk and omitted the all spice, i didn't have it . But it was the nutmeg for me that made me realize how much i enjoy that flavor . This will definitely go in my recipe book. ❤️

Tanya

Sunday 29th of September 2024

Thanks, Patricia! I'm so happy you like the porridge recipe.

KT

Friday 6th of September 2024

Great recipe for a true Jamaican. Made it to the T for a family member and was devoured.

Tanya

Friday 6th of September 2024

Thanks KT! So happy you all liked the porridge :)

Jess

Wednesday 14th of August 2024

This recipe is AMAZING! Thank u 4 posting it! It was my 1st time making porridge and my family absolutely loved it. It tasted just the way my mom use 2 make it. And I followed your recipe to. “T”🙂🥣🥣🥣🥣❤️

Tanya

Wednesday 14th of August 2024

Thanks so much, Jess! So happy you like the recipe :)

Steven

Sunday 21st of January 2024

I tried your recipe it was very good. I added a little milk to it after it finished to loosen it up a bit because it was a little thick.

Tanya

Monday 22nd of January 2024

Thanks Steven! So glad you liked it.