21 Jamaican Foods You Have to Try At Least Once

Jerk Chicken is the most popular dish to come out of Jamaica. It is known for its spicy and smoky taste. The chicken is marinated in a unique blend of spices, including scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, garlic, and ginger, which give it its distinct jerk flavor. After marinating, the chicken is traditionally grilled over a charcoal fire, creating a deliciously charred and crispy exterior.

The result is tender, juicy chicken with a perfect balance of heat and spice. Jerk Chicken is often served with rice and peas, plantains, or a refreshing side salad.

This national dish of Jamaica is made with Ackee, a tropical fruit and saltfish, for a savory and salty taste. The dish is a fusion of flavors and textures, with the ackee resembling scrambled eggs and the saltfish referring to salted cod.

It is typically cooked with onions, tomatoes, peppers, and various seasonings. Mostly served with fried dumplings, boiled green bananas, or breadfruit, this dish showcases the vibrant and diverse culinary heritage of Jamaica.

Almost every country in the world has its own variation of goat curry. In the Jamaican version, tender goat meat is marinated in a blend of curry powder, garlic, thyme, and scotch bonnet peppers. Its origins can be traced back to the Indian influences in Caribbean cuisine, creating a unique fusion of flavors that is enjoyed by many.

The meat is slow-cooked until it becomes succulent and falls off the bone. The curry adds a vibrant yellow hue to this hearty meal. Serve this with rice, roti, or bread for a filling dinner. 

These flaky Jamaican patties are popular street food in the country. The pastries are made with a flaky, golden crust and are filled with a variety of flavorful fillings. The most traditional filling is spicy ground beef, but you can also find chicken, vegetables, shrimp, and even lobster fillings. Seasoned with traditional Jamaican flavors. They are often enjoyed as a quick snack or a complete meal.

They are found in almost all Jamaican restaurants, but if you can't make the trip, consider making them at home. These are easy to make and will work with both kids and adults.

The key ingredient in this dish is coconut milk, which infuses the rice with a creamy and slightly sweet taste. Authentic Jamaican rice and peas are made with kidney beans, but peas can be a perfect substitute. Fluffy rice, tender kidney beans, and a medley of aromatic spices make this dish a must-try.

This side dish is served alongside succulent meats like jerk chicken or curry goat. In Jamaica, most families make this for a Sunday dinner with the family.

The Escovitch sauce is the star of this recipe. Made with pickled carrots, pimento berries, onions, bell peppers, sugar, scotch bonnet peppers and vinegar, it adds a burst of flavor and visual appeal to the dish.

The fish used in this recipe is typically the red snapper. It is fried and marinated in the sauce. You can eat this with a side of festival or just some rotis. The bold and zesty taste of this dish distinguishes it from other fish curries. If you're a seafood lover, make sure to order this the next time you're at a Jamaican restaurant.

Oxtail might not seem the most flavorful protein, but wait until you add fresh Jamaican spices to it. You'll need a pressure cooker to slow-cook the oxtail meat with fragrant herbs and spices so that it becomes tender and flavorful. The oxtail is marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Jamaican jerk seasoning. The addition of carrots, onions, and thyme adds depth to the dish, while scotch bonnet peppers provide a kick.

The dish was brought to the country by the British but Jamaicans soon made it their own by adding the classic spices and herbs.

Jamaicans know how to prepare vegetables while keeping them healthy and delicious. This nutritious stew is made with various leafy greens, typically including amaranth, spinach, or taro leaves. The greens are simmered with flavorful ingredients. You can add your protein of preference like crab, salted fish, or shrimp.

The dish is a staple in many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados. It originated in West Africa but now has made its way to various countries in the region.

Jamaican Festival is a deep-fried cornmeal fritter that is golden and crispy on the outside while soft and fluffy on the inside. The dish gets its name from the lively celebrations and festivals where it is commonly enjoyed. The combination of the sweet cornmeal batter and the savory flavors of Jamaican cuisine make it a delightful treat for both locals and visitors.

These are also called fried dumplings or Johnny Cakes and are quite popular among kids and adults alike. Festivals can be served as snacks or sides because of their versatile flavor.

Fried plantains, also known as "platanos fritos" in Spanish, are a delicious and popular dish in many Latin American and Caribbean cuisines. These starchy fruits, similar to bananas, are sliced and then fried until golden brown. The result is a delectable treat with a crispy exterior and a soft, sweet interior.

Fried plantains are often paired with rice, beans, or meat. They offer a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors, making them a versatile addition to any meal.

This Caribbean seafood dish is simple to make and extremely flavorful. The succulent shrimp pairs well with the fiery kick of pepper. Fresh shrimp is marinated in a mixture of spices such as black pepper, garlic, paprika, and cayenne pepper. The shrimp are then sautéed or grilled.

Pepper shrimp can be enjoyed as an appetizer, served with a side of tangy sauce, or as a main course, accompanied by rice and vegetables. If you like Caribbean flavors and enjoy seafood, this might just be the dish for you.

The name brown stew chicken comes from the brown color of the stew. It is achieved by cooking the chicken in a hot skillet to develop a deep, caramelized color before being simmered in a savory sauce. The sauce is made with onions, peppers and Worcestershire sauce.

The tender chicken has a robust, satisfying taste due to the tangy and slightly sweet flavor of the sauce. Serve it hot with rice or roti for a fulfilling, healthy dinner.

Mannish Water is one of the most popular dishes in Jamaica. It even competed for Best New Food Idea in the Jamaica Observer. This goat soup is believed to have medicinal properties and is commonly consumed as a remedy for colds and hangovers.

It is made from different parts of goat and flavored with scallions, thyme, garlic and peppers. To make the soup even more hearty and filling, you can add yams, green bananas, and dumplings. The rich and spicy flavors of the soup make this a satisfying dish for those seeking an authentic taste of Jamaican cuisine.

Solomon Gundy is a pickled fish patè often served as an appetizer with crackers. The fish used is a red herring, which is slow-cooked to resemble the appearance of a dark, oily substance. Its tangy and savory taste, combined with the tender texture of the herring, allows it to be used as a topping for salads and sandwiches.

The flavor is quite strong, so it might not be for everyone but it can be found in bottles throughout the country. However, if you like a fish spread on carbs, go for it.

This traditional Jamaican flatbread is made from cassava flour. It is a staple in Jamaican cuisine and has a rich history. The word "bammy" is derived from the Arawak language, the indigenous people of Jamaica. It is typically circular in shape and has a dense, chewy texture.

Bammy is often enjoyed with fish dishes, such as saltfish or fried fish. It can also be eaten on its own or used as a base for various toppings and spreads. The preparation of bammy involves soaking cassava in water, grating it, then pressing out the liquid before cooking it on a griddle or frying pan.

Gizzada, also known as "pinch-me-round" or "gizzarda," is a traditional Jamaican pastry that has become a popular treat in the Caribbean. This delectable dessert consists of a sweet and flaky pastry shell filled with a spiced coconut mixture. The coconut filling is made with freshly grated coconut, brown sugar, nutmeg, and sometimes ginger, giving it a unique and aromatic flavor.

It is typically baked until golden brown, resulting in a delightful combination of textures and tastes. It is often enjoyed during special occasions like Christmas and weddings but can also be found in local bakeries and street food stalls year-round.

Mackerel is a tender white fish that goes well in a stew. The meat is prepared with coconut milk and cooked with bright seasonings. The dish gets its name from the process of "running down" the fish, which involves simmering it slowly in a rich broth until the flavors meld together.

The mackerel is usually paired with vegetables such as bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes for some crunch and is served with steamed rice.

Steamed fish is a beloved dish in Jamaican cuisine, known for its simplicity and vibrant flavors. This traditional Jamaican delicacy showcases the island's rich culinary heritage. Fresh fish, such as snapper or parrotfish, is seasoned with herbs and spices. The fish is then gently steamed to perfection, allowing the flavors to meld together.

At the end, you have a tender, succulent fish with a delightful burst of tanginess. It is a true taste of Jamaica's tropical paradise.

Breadfruit is a tropical tree native to the South Pacific. It produces large, starchy fruits that are rich in nutrients and have a versatile culinary use. The fruit is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making it a healthy addition to any diet. The fruit is typically round or oval-shaped, with a green or yellowish skin.

Breadfruit is often compared to potatoes or bread due to its starchy texture and mild flavor. It can be boiled, baked, fried, or roasted and is commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes.

This vibrant and refreshing beverage is also known as hibiscus tea. It is popular in many Caribbean countries. Made from the dried petals of the sorrel plant, it has a deep red color and a tangy, cranberry-like flavor.

Sorrel drink is traditionally enjoyed during the Christmas season, where it is served chilled and sweetened with sugar or honey. It is often infused with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, which add warmth and complexity to its taste. Besides its deliciousness, sorrel drink is also known for its numerous health benefits, such as being rich in antioxidants and having potential anti-inflammatory properties.

This famous Jamaican pastry has a sweet taste of the Caribbean. It is a moist and dense cake made with ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and of course, rum. The cake is often soaked in rum syrup after baking, which adds an irresistible boozy kick to each bite.

The rum flavor infuses every crumb, giving it a unique and indulgent taste. Rum cake is a popular choice for special occasions and holidays with a dollop of whipped cream.