The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (2024)

Caribbean cuisine is as vibrant and colorful, with lots of punch of flavors, as it’s people or land or waters. All of those islands doting this beautiful ocean are full of culinary marvels and mouth watering dishes that have been passed from generation to generation.

Caribbean cuisineis a fusion ofAfrican, Creole, Cajun, Amerindian, European, Latin American, Indian/South Asian, Middle Eastern and even Chinese. People have come to this part of the world from all over, bringing their food traditions and flavors. Today we are presenting you the Best of the Best Caribbean recipes.

From Jamaica to Aruba, Trinidad to the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico and so many others.

From their tasty appetizers like tostones and empanadas, to their delicious mains like picadillo and pastelon, to their sweet desserts like rum cakes and flan… You are going to find everything and some more in this list of the best Caribbean recipes. Set your taste buds ablaze by trying all these in your very own kitchen. Have fun…

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (1)

1. Carne Guisada (Latin Beef Stew)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (2)

Carne Guisadais a Caribbean flavor bomb of a stew. Melt in your mouth tender chunks of beef along with veggies and plenty of flavor enhancers.

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2. Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (3)

Pernilis a marinated, slow roasted pork shoulder or leg with crispy pork skin and tender, flavorful meat underneath. It is most popular in Latin American countries around Christmas, but is delicious all year!

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3. Jamaican Curry Chicken

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (4)

This Jamaican curry chicken recipe is a hearty one-pot meal that is full of bold flavors. Marinated chicken in their beloved curry powder is cooked slow and low to create one amazingly tasty curry chicken.

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4. Asopao de Camarones(Shrimp and Rice Soup)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (5)

Camarones Guisados is succulent shrimp stewed in a Puerto Rican-style tomato sauce. It’s loaded with garlic, onions and plenty of fresh cilantro. Simple and delicious..

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5. Ropa Vieja (Cuba’s National Dish)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (6)

This slow cooker Ropa Vieja is made with tender, juicy beef, bell peppers, onions and Spanish olives. Everything is slow cooked in aromatic crushed tomatoes and seasonings to make it one extremely delicious meal. Try it once and this will sure go in your rotation.

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6. Jamaican Jerk Chicken

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (7)

ThisJamaican Jerk Chickenrecipe is dedicated to all of my fellow spice lovers. Marinated in an amazing concoction of ingredients, it’s a total flavor bomb with a customizable level of kick.

It’s a tropical delight that will totally tickle your taste buds. And you can either grill or bake it, so it’s not only great for cookout season, but all year round.

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7. Vaca Frita (Cuban Crispy Shredded Beef)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (8)

Time to get cooking another Cuban favorite…Vaca Frita!! It’s very straight forward, and tastes so delicious.

Flank steak is slowly stewed for hours and tenderized. But we are not stopping there. Once the meat is fork tender, shred it and fry it to crispy perfection with lots of garlic and lime.

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8. Jamaican Curry Shrimp

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (9)

Look at this Curry Bowl!! Bold and insanely inviting! My ultimate comfort food,Jamaican Curry Shrimp, is a vibrant, spicy, and incredibly flavorful dish that perfectly captures the essence of Caribbean cuisine.

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9. Fricase de Pollo (Cuban Chicken Fricassee)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (10)

ThisFricase de Pollorecipe is a hearty and delicious stew, where tender chicken thighs braise in a well seasoned, wine-infused broth.

The Cuban version ofChicken Fricassee, it is a beautiful combination of flavors, and gets further bulked up with potatoes, carrots, bell peppers and olives.

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10. Bistec Encebollado (Steak & Onions)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (11)

Bistec Encebollado, simply meaning steak and onions in Spanish. If you don’t know Bistec Encebollado… well, it’s about time you learn this Latin flavor bomb!

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11. Rasta Pasta

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (12)

Rasta Pasta!Are you ready for a colorful meal bursting with flavor? Here it is!

This is a creamy pasta loaded with red, green and yellow peppers. You can also top it off with shrimp or chicken. It’s generously seasoned with Jamaican jerk seasoning and finished off with freshly grated parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

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12. Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Stewed Beans)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (13)

Habichuelas Guisadas (Puerto Rican Stewed Beans) are an essential Puerto Rican side dish whenever you’ve having rice. They’re perfectly creamy, tender, simple to make, and bursting with Latin flavors!

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13. Bahamian Boiled Fish

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (14)

How does a nice hearty bowl of seafood goodness sound? Don’t let the name deceive you, this Bahamian staple is anything but boring! Hearty, flaky fish simmered in a delicious broth with potatoes, onions, tons of lime juice and a bit of hot kick. This is classic island comfort food!

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14. Puerto Rican Sancocho (Caribbean Beef & Vegetable Stew)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (15)

ThisPuerto Rican beef stew recipe is a hearty soup with chunks of tender beef, root vegetables and more! Don’t worry if you miss one or two vegetables, we promise it would still taste awesome in their absence.

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15. Jerk Shrimp

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (16)

Juicy, plump shrimp with BOLD island flavors…Jerk Shrimp!Caribbean style.

Spicy, balanced with the right amount of sweetness and loads of zesty, bright flavors. Just a few simple ingredients from your pantry and you can create an amazingly delicious shrimp recipe in under 20 minutes.

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16. Arroz con Gandules

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (17)

This Arroz con Gandules recipe may be my new favorite rice dish! Tender rice with pigeon peas, generously flavored with salted pork, sofrito, tomato sauce and some great Latin seasonings.

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17. Dominican Pollo Guisado (Chicken Stew)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (18)

Pollo Guisado, a classic comfort food in many Latin countries. This Dominican version uses simple ingredients to create an amazing depth of flavor.

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18. Caribbean Coconut Mussel Curry

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (19)

Creamy… coconutty… seefoody… Extra yummy Caribbean coconut mussels. Easy, delicious, and sure to please any crowd! Try this delicious Caribbean style curry, but be warned, you will get hooked!

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19. Pinchos (Puerto Rican Chicken Skewers)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (20)

Pinchos are just your simple meat-on-a-stick meal, but these tender bites are super delicious. Get ready to grill one of the most popular street foods out of Puerto Rico…Pinchos De Pollo!!

The snuggly threaded chicken cubes are marinated in amazing island flavors and grilled to perfection, then slathered with BBQ sauce. Yes, very unique chicken kebabs!

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20. Puerto Rican Picadillo

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (21)

Picadillo is a classic, home-style, Latin American dish. There are many variations, but this is our favorite so far! Ground beef is flavored with all Latin seasonings and mixed in with bell peppers, olives and raisins. Sounds weird, but all the flavors just work wonderfully together. This is one of my favorite Caribbean recipes.

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21. Tostones (AKA Patacones)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (22)

These crispy Latin tostones are a great alternative to your basic French fries. Easy… Yummy… Exotic! I bet ya, you cant stop at one. Grab some plantains next time in the market and make them in a zippy…

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22. Jamaican Style Pepper Steak

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (23)

ThisJamaican Pepper Steakis a spin off of the popular Chinese dish, this time featuring tender beef and peppers braised in a flavorful and tangy sauce. Treat your friends with this yum Latin favorite.

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23. Trinidadian Curry Chicken

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (24)

This curry chicken from the Caribbean island country of Trinidad hits close to home. Curry powder and fresh herbs and aromatics in their green seasoning form the base of this super simple chicken affair.

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24. Trinidadian Green Seasoning

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (25)

Add some flavor to your food with this Caribbean staple. Green seasoning is the perfect addition to your stews and rices, and makes a great marinade for your meats and seafoods.

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25. Jamaican Rice and Peas

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (26)

Coconut-infused rice and gungo (pigeon) peas is all mixed with scallions, thyme, Scotch bonnet, and allspice. It is the perfect easy and complementary side dish to make for dinner tonight!

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26. Cuban Mojo Pork

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (27)

For all the Cuban food lovers, here is a very simple and delicious, yet very iconic Cuban dish,Mojo Pork!!

Rich and succulent tender shredded pork with amazing flavors created by citrus juice, plenty of garlic and some select herbs. All you are doing is making a quick Mojo Marinade and cooking the pork slow and low for hours, smothered in citrusy Mojo.

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27. Jamaican Jerk Marinade

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (28)

Hey, Mon! Add some island flair to your food with this famous Jamaican marinade! Make it mild or make it spicy, either way get ready for an explosion of flavor! That’s must if you are craving for some jerk chicken…

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28. Cuban Mojo Marinade

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (29)

This Cuban Mojo Marinade will add a Latin flair to your grilled and baked meats. Citrusy and garlicky, this exotic and refreshing marinade whips up in 10 minutes or less.

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29. Homemade Sofrito

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (30)

A key ingredient in many Latin cuisines. This sofrito is based on the Puerto Rican version. Makes a nice marinade as well! Make a big batch and you are ready for unlimited Latin meals.

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30. Doubles

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (31)

Doubles are a Trinidadian street food staple. This doubles recipe features curried channa stuffed between two lightly fried baras (hence the name doubles!). Think chickpea sandwich with lots of flavor. A delicious combination that’s packed with flavor.

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31. Keshi Yena (Aruban Meat Stuffed Cheese)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (32)

Keshi Yena is the National dish of the Dutch island of Aruba. Seasoned ground beef is encased in melty, gooey cheese. Easy to make and mild in flavor, this is a must try Caribbean dish.

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32. Pastelon De Platano Maduro (Sweet Plantain Lasagna)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (33)

Lasagna with sweet plantains? Sure, this world is full of surprises when it comes to food and flavors. But a combination of sweet and salty ingredients surprisingly work extremely well. One of these days, give this Latin favorite try. Who knows, you might keep on making your lasagna this sweet and savory way…

Get the Recipe @ thehealthyfoodie

33. Jamaican Callaloo

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (34)

Jamaican Callaloo is a popular local staple green leafy vegetable, cooked with onion, garlic, tomatoes, thyme and Scotch bonnet pepper. Perfect healthy side dish for a tropical breakfast, lunch or dinner.

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34. Easy Beef Empanada

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (35)

These empanadas are crescent-shaped, savory pastries made of flaky pie crust and filled with warmly-spiced ground beef and vegetables. They are extremely popular in Caribbean and other Latin countries. Make a double or triple batch and freeze some for a future freezer meal!

Get the Recipe @ numstheword

35. Flan

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (36)

Creamy caramel flan is a traditional Latin American dessert recipe. A rich custard topped with caramel sauce and fresh berries. Its silky and smooth texture is what makes this so delicious and irresistible!Who wouldn’t like to dig into this one?

Get the Recipe @ cookedbyjulie

36. Hummingbird Cake

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (37)

Hummingbird cake is a Jamaican invention. It is an easy, sweet taste of the tropics with banana, pineapple, toasted pecans, and the best cream cheese frosting! Make this recipe for dessert today!

Get the Recipe @ browneyedbaker

37. Jamaican Beef Patties

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (38)

Jamaican beef patties, spicy flavorful beef stuffed in an amazing super easy buttery dough. They come together quickly and fly off the table in no time. Simply delicious!

Get the Recipe @ flawlessfood

38. Cuban Sandwich

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (39)

Looking for a snack or easy lunch? Try this Cuban sandwich. Made with tender, mojo roasted pork, ham, cheese and pickles, this authenticCuban Sandwichwill have your mouth watering before it’s even assembled.

Get the Recipe @ tastesbetterfromscratch

39. Rum Cake

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (40)

This rum cake recipe is made from scratch. It has the most tender, moist crumb, and is drenched in rum flavor without being overpowering. A fantastic dessert that’s equally suitable for weekly family dinners, fancy parties, or holiday celebrations.

Get the Recipe @ browneyedbaker

40. Conch Fritters

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (41)

A spiced batter littered with fresh conch meat is deep fried until golden. These conch fritters are a little taste of the islands that are downright addicting!

Get the Recipe @ lemonsforlulu

41. Bahama Mama

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (42)

A luscious blend of fruit juices and coconut rum will give you a tropical feeling no matter how far away are you from the beach. Bahama Mama is a sweet tropical cocktail that features coconut rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, a touch of grenadine, and dark rum.

Get the Recipe @ willcookforsmiles

42. Mojito

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (43)

This Mojito Recipe is simple, easy to make, and totally delicious. You will find yourself coming back to this recipe over and over again! So cool and so refreshing…

Get the Recipe @ simplejoy

So my friends, now that you have learned so much about this wonderful island cuisine, how about trying some of these delicacies in your home?

Make some of the seasonings and marinades in bulk and keep that bottle ready in your refrigerator. All those picadillos and curriess or jerks are breeze then.

Bookmark or pin this post of great Caribbean recipes so you can keep coming back for new flavors…

See you next time!

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (44)

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Foods

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Add some island flair to your kitchen with this collection of 40 great Caribbean Recipes. Your family will think they're dining in a tropical bistro when you serve up some of these great dishes! For a quick start, try this simple jerk seasoning.

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 2 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp allspice powder
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
  • ½ tsp nutmeg powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon powder

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a bowl. Mix thoroughly.
  2. Store in an airtight container.

Notes

  1. If you love your recipe, please leave a comment. I love hearing from you!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (45)

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    The 40+ BEST Caribbean Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the most popular dish in the Caribbean? ›

    Jerk chicken: Often combined with rice and peas, jerk chicken is one of the most traditional Jamaican food options. The flavoursome meal is marinated with hot Jerk spice, which includes Scotch bonnet peppers, and is a popular way of cooking in the Caribbean.

    What foods are native to the Caribbean? ›

    Caribbean dishes

    Ingredients that are common in most islands' dishes are rice, plantains, beans, cassava, cilantro, bell peppers, chickpeas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, coconut, and any of various meats that are locally available like beef, poultry, pork, goat or fish.

    What is the food of West Indies? ›

    Traditional Caribbean Diet Patterns

    Klinger says the foundation of the cuisine is based on white rice, seasoned beans, and an abundance of root vegetables and tropical fruits. You also can find traditional soups that are important to the diet—these are typically hearty and include many local starchy root vegetables.

    What influenced Caribbean food? ›

    The development of Caribbean cuisine was also undeniably influenced by the culture and culinary traditions of Africa, Asia and India in the early 1800s.

    What is the number one food in the Caribbean? ›

    1. Jerk Chicken – Jamaica. Although you can find Jerk-style cooking all over the Caribbean, it's actually native to Jamaica, where meat is dry-rubbed or wet marinated with a very hot spice mixture called Jamaican jerk spice. It's traditionally applied to pork and chicken, but any meat or fish can be used.

    What is the #1 Jamaican dish? ›

    Jerk chicken is one of the most well-known dishes to come from Jamaica. The meat is marinated in spices with scotch bonnet pepper, pimento and scallion before being cooked over coals and pimento wood. It's often served with side dishes such as plantains, rice and beans, and sweet potatos.

    Which Caribbean island has the best food? ›

    Best Caribbean Island for Foodies
    • Barbados. Barbados is often titled as the culinary capital of the Caribbean, and with good reason. ...
    • Grenada. Grenada, known as the “Spice Isle,” is in the southeastern Caribbean. ...
    • Jamaica. ...
    • Puerto Rico.

    What are two typical Caribbean dishes? ›

    10 Iconic Caribbean Dishes You've Got To Try at Least Once
    • Bahamas: Conch Fritters.
    • Antigua and Barbuda: Fungee and Pepperpot.
    • Puerto Rico: Mofongo.
    • Dominican Republic: La Bandera.
    • St Lucia: Creole Bread.
    • St Kitts & Nevis: Stewed Salt Fish with Dumplings, Spicy Plantains, and Breadfruit.
    • Jamaica: Jerk Chicken.
    Jun 30, 2020

    What are 4 common ingredients in Caribbean cuisine? ›

    Coconut is one of the most versatile ingredients in Caribbean cooking, and a favorite of Levi's.
    • Allspice. ...
    • Callaloo. ...
    • Coconut (Oil, Water, Milk, Grated) ...
    • Molasses. ...
    • Pigeon Peas (And Other Beans) ...
    • Pepper Sauces. ...
    • Plantains. ...
    • Rum.

    What food is Trinidad known for? ›

    Indo-Trinidadian and Tobagonian foods like doubles, aloo pie, pholourie, saheena, baiganee, bara, and kachori are popular street foods throughout the country.

    What is the food of Jamaica? ›

    The majority of Jamaicans are of African descent. Popular cuisines include jerk chicken, jerk pork, steam fish, roast fish etc and these are served with vegetables of one choice, roast yam or roast breadfruit, rice and peas. The National Dish is ackee and Saltfish.

    What is the most common Jamaican food? ›

    Ackee and Saltfish

    Jamaica's national dish is one of the most popular Jamaican recipes to make this list. Ackee is a brightly colored fruit that is inedible until cooked. To prepare it, ackee must be boiled until tender and seasoned with salt, pepper and complementary herbs of choice.

    What did Caribbean slaves eat? ›

    Food supplies

    The plantation owners provided their enslaved Africans with weekly rations of salt herrings or mackerel, sweet potatoes, and maize, and sometimes salted West Indian turtle. The enslaved Africans supplemented their diet with other kinds of wild food.

    Why is Caribbean food so good? ›

    The most important ingredients in Caribbean food are rice, plantains, beans, cassava, cilantro, coriander, bell pepper, chickpeas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and coconut. This unique blend of ingredients creates a flavor that is distinctly different from any other type of food.

    What is unique about Caribbean food? ›

    Overall, Caribbean cuisine is a reflection of the region's diverse history and culture. The cuisine blends African, European, and indigenous influences to create a unique fusion of flavors and ingredients. The cuisine is characterized by bold and spicy flavors, fresh ingredients, and vibrant colors.

    What are 4 native foods to the Caribbean? ›

    Corn, cassava, chayote, beans, peanuts, guava, pineapple, and hot peppers (e.g. Scotch Bonnet peppers) are all native to the Caribbean. Other fruits that grow in the Caribbean include lesser-known fruits like naseberry, passion fruit, jackfruit, and soursop.

    What is the Bahamas most popular dish? ›

    Seafood is a staple in the Bahamas. Conch, a large tropical mollusk (sea snail) with firm, white flesh, is the national dish of the Bahamas. Conch can be prepared in a number of ways: served raw with lime juice, raw vegetables and even fruit called conch salad.

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