Jamaica’s motto is “Out of many, one people.” The saying could also apply to Jamaican food as well. Out of the many ethnic groups that have populated the area throughout history, one distinctive cuisine has emerged. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best Jamaican food.
If you want to experience the best of the island’s cuisine, don’t miss any of these must-try Jamaican dishes.
1. Jerk Chicken
Jamaican cooking uses a lot of spices, and the culmination of their fiery and flavorsome potential is jerk sauce. Meat is rubbed with a mixture of island-grown seasonings like Scotch bonnet peppers, pimento, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Then it is roasted for hours over pimento wood. Any meat can be jerked, but chicken is the favorite. Jamaican chicken is unlike any you’ll find in the States. Caribbean chickens are fed local food instead of imported grain, making them taste richer. Try the sweet and spicy meat with a piece of hard-dough bread for a traditional meal.
2. Ackee and Saltfish
This traditional Jamaican breakfast takes some getting used to, but after spending some time on the island you’ll find it becomes addictive. Resembling scrambled eggs, the dish is a combination of codfish and the locally grown ackee fruit. Ackee is not a typical fruit. It has a mild and sweet taste that balances the salty fish. When mixed with onions and peppers, it becomes a satisfying breakfast dish, similar to a Caribbean omelet.
3. The Jamaican Patty
There are as many kinds of patties as there are kinds of people. You’ll discover a filling that you’ll love. Frequently sold at stands or in tourist restaurants, the best patties are the homemade kind. The typical patty is a Jamaican savory pastry with seasoned ground meat inside, similar to an empanada or samosa. You’ll find patties filled with lobster, pork, chicken, or vegetarian ingredients, all with a spicy curry and island spice flavor. With a side dish, one tasty patty can make a meal.
4. Callaloo
This one is our favorite on the list of best Jamaican food. This leafy green is to the islands what spinach is to the States. Nutritious and much less bitter than spinach, you can find it served in dozens of ways. You can sample it stuffed in a patty, steamed as a side dish, or even taste its juice as a health drink. One of the best ways to try callaloo is as an ingredient in a hot bowl of traditional Jamaican pepper pot soup. Callaloo is so versatile that you’ll probably end up having it in a dish even if you don’t intend to. It crops up everywhere, and when you get home you’ll wish you had it on your plate.
5. Escoviche
The bountiful seafood of the island, whether it’s snapper, kingfish, or grouper, is often cooked in a style known as “escoviching”. The fish is marinated in vinegar, onions, and spices to enhance its fresh ocean taste. It tastes better than it sounds, and the longer it marinates, the better. Think of escoviche-style fish as an ultra-fresh seafood cocktail, with an extra Jamaican kick.
6. Rice and Peas
Don’t be fooled by the name. The “peas” in the dish are typically red beans, though any legume can be used. Rice and peas are a mainstay of the Jamaican diet, and as you can imagine, there’s more than meets the eye. Jamaican rice and peas are cooked in fresh coconut milk, making a creamy and sweet side dish with a tropical flavor. Peppers and spices add extra flavor when combined with sweet coconut, creating a delicious traditional side dish.
7. Plantains
Next up on our list of best Jamaican food to try is plantains. You’ve probably seen plantains at the grocery store and been perplexed: what’s with the big, green bananas? The fruit needs to be cooked to taste good. It is a tasty side dish for spicy Jamaican meals. Often fried, then topped with butter and salt and pepper, the plantain is much like a tropical sweet potato. You can also find them sold by themselves as a snack. Their gooey richness makes them delicious at mealtimes or in between.
8. Gizzada
The gizzada is the Jamaican version of a pastry, and it rivals any European dessert with its decadent sweetness. Found in bakeries, restaurants, and at food stands, the gizzada is a tart shell filled with butter, fresh sweetened coconut, ginger, and nutmeg. Crunchy and gooey at the same time, you’ll be glad that the majority of Jamaican food is made up of veggies and fresh fish. You can afford to indulge in a pastry or two…or three.
9. Fresh Fruit
To truly experience Jamaican cuisine, you must savor its exquisite natural bounty: fruit. Anticipate anything but boring apples and oranges. In Jamaica, you can try unique and unusual fruits fresh from a tree you won’t find at home. Try a ripe paw-paw, a sweetsop, a star apple, or a guinep. Even the fruits you’ve heard of are better on the island: juicy pineapples, lush tangerines, and mangoes in shapes and sizes you’ve never seen before. Even if you don’t usually eat a lot of fruit, you won’t be able to resist indulging in these sweet, sun-ripened varieties.
10. Blue Mountain Coffee
You may have been shocked at the price if you’ve seen Blue Mountain coffee at your local coffee shop. That high cost is because the coffee beans grown in the Blue Mountain region of Jamaica are among the best in the world. Known for its smooth, non-bitter taste, the cup of Blue Mountain coffee you drink in Jamaica will be at the height of its freshness. What a way to start your day on the island! Tip: Bring some home for your family and friends.
Best Jamaican Food Dishes
If you’re going to spend time in Jamaica, don’t miss any of our must-try Jamaican dishes. From the fiery spices to the juicy tropical fruits, your tongue will be doing a reggae dance, Jamaican-style. Are you hungry yet?
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