Add some flavor to your plate with these delicious traditional Jamaican recipes. From breakfast to mains, drinks and sides, these recipes are always super popular! Learn how to cook with Jamaican ingredients and methods for dishes full of flavor and soul. These island recipes are sure to brighten your day!

These Jamaican recipes are ones that I grew up with, that my Mother would make me, and my go to’s when I want some comfort food. Jamaican food is full of bright and vibrant flavors that I just can’t get enough of.
A lot of these recipes use traditional cooking techniques, but I’ve also included some air fryer and Instant Pot recipes as well. Find quick and simple recipes that are easy to make after a busy day at work, and rich and tasty slow-cooked stews that are perfect for the weekend.
Enjoy a taste of the Caribbean!
My Forking Life Jamaican Recipes
Discover new and vibrant flavors with my favorite and most popular Jamaican recipes. Try something new, you'll find lots of inspiration here!
Ackee and saltfish is Jamaica’s national dish. It’s typically served for breakfast on the weekends but can be eaten any time of the day. This recipe is a staple in the Caribbean kitchen.
Cooking the most delicious plantains has never been easier than in the air fryer! Quick and easy to cook and prep, they make for one tasty appetizer or serve up as a side with your favorite Caribbean dishes.
Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge is smooth, creamy, and comforting. A popular breakfast dish in Jamaica, this porridge is the perfect recipe to start the day. This porridge is the breakfast of champions! It’s so comforting and it’ll keep you full and ready to tackle your day.
This Jamaican Callaloo and Saltfish recipe is the perfect main course or side dish for any meal. Generally eaten for breakfast in Jamaica, this delicious dish can be served at any time of the day.
These Banana Fritters are a delicious way to use up your ripe bananas. Fried to golden perfection, they are full of flavor and perfect for any meal.
These Jamaican saltfish fritters are a common snack or appetizer. Made with salted cod, and seasoned with fresh scallion, thyme, and scotch bonnet pepper. These fritters are delicious!
This Jamaican Festival recipe is a homemade version of the popular Jamaican snack. Made with a few simple ingredients, this delicious fried sweet dough is the perfect side dish for your favorite Jamaican recipes.
Jamaican Fried Dumplings are the perfect side dish when it comes to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This classic and easy recipe is perfect for any Jamaican meal.
This Jamaican Oxtails Recipe is fall off the bone tender and full of amazing flavor. It can be made in about an hour with your pressure cooker or cook it low and slow in a slow cooker.
This Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken is full of Caribbean flavor and a perfect main dish for any day of the week. It’s the perfect stewed chicken dish when you want to have a taste of the islands.
This authentic and traditional Jamaican Curry Chicken Recipe is the perfect combination of rich flavors in one plate. This is the Caribbean dish to make when you want a taste of the islands. Curry chicken was a weeknight meal for us growing up and my mom makes some of the best curry chicken ever!
This Jamaican Curry Goat recipe is a flavorful, succulent dish made with Jamaican curry, goat pieces, and other spices. It’s a traditional Jamaican dish that you and your family will love.
This Jamaican Curry Shrimp is made with Jamaican curry powder, large succulent shrimp, bell peppers, and coconut milk. It’s a quick and easy curry recipe that’s perfect any day of the week.
This classic Jamaican Escovitch Fish recipe is a delicious Caribbean staple. Made with red snapper fish and a colorful pepper and vinegar-based sauce, this is one dish you must make!
This Jamaican Stew Peas recipe is pure comfort in a bowl. Made with red kidney beans and flavored with herbs, spices, coconut milk, and stewing meat. This hearty stew is packed with so much flavor.
This Jamaican Instant Pot Rice and Beans recipe is generally called “rice and peas” on the island. It’s made with red kidney beans, coconut milk, and added spices. Make it in your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker for perfect results.
This Jamaican Spice Bun is usually served with cheese and served during the Easter holiday. I eat it year round, don’t judge me. It’s a delicious bread recipe that is a part of the Jamaican Culture and can easily be made at home.
This quick and easy Corned Beef & Cabbage Recipe, Jamaican style, is our go to recipe for busy weeknights. It’s a flavorful and quick traditional recipe.
Add some flavor to your dinner with this delicious Jamaican jerk chicken recipe. It takes minutes to prep and can be cooked in the air fryer, oven, or grill for a delicious bite to suit any occasion.
This Air Fried Jamaican Jerk Pork Recipe has amazing flavor and can be made right in your air fryer. A great way to travel to the Caribbean in your very own home.
This Jamaican Style Carrot Juice Recipe is a refreshing yet sweet treat. One of my favorite drinks when growing up in Jamaica.
This Jamaican Rum Punch Recipe is the perfect drink for the summer. It’s delicious and refreshing and the perfect drink to bring you to the Caribbean.
This Jamaican sorrel drink is a traditional Caribbean beverage made with the sepals of the Roselle plant, a species of the hibiscus flower. This drink is served over ice and it’s traditionally served during the Christmas Holiday. It’s refreshing, easy to make, and full of flavor.
Mai Cong
Tuesday 6th of September 2022
Thank you for sharing your recipes with us! My family and i love them so much!
Tanya
Tuesday 6th of September 2022
Thanks Mai!
Peter Hilary
Friday 29th of July 2022
Tanya Love love your recipes. Thank you. Do you have one for steamed fish - Jamaican style obviously. Thanks Peter
Tanya
Wednesday 3rd of August 2022
Hi Peter, thank you. I have an escovitch fish recipe. You could steam it rather than fry it. https://www.myforkinglife.com/jamaican-escovitch-fish/
Fanica
Wednesday 27th of July 2022
Thank you for all the wonderful Jamaican recipes. I attended Hampton School in St. Elizabeth and miss the food. I am still learning to make many dishes I grew up with. Do you have the recipe for coconut fudge, the pink and white one? There are no fresh coconuts in the grocery stores in Michigan but we have a very nice Caribbean market. Thank you!
Tanya
Friday 29th of July 2022
Hi Fanica, thanks so much! I don't have a recipe for coconut fudge, but I'll be sure to ask my mom if she does.
Helen
Sunday 15th of May 2022
The Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken is out of this world! It rivals anything I have had in a Jamaican specialty restaurant or while vacationing in Negril.
Tanya
Monday 16th of May 2022
Thank you so much Helen!
Kurt Hangle
Tuesday 18th of January 2022
I cook dishes from around the world and am always looking for new flavours or twists in various ethnic groups. I cooked your curry chicken and with your rice and beans. WOW! So good. Betapac is my go to as well!
Tanya
Wednesday 19th of January 2022
Thank you Kurt! So glad you like the recipes.