21 Delicious Jamaican Dishes That Are Absolutely Worth Trying

All of the intense flavor of this popular dish is in the spicy and vibrant sauce that includes tamarind, ginger root, and Jamaican allspice.

Recipe: Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Karamo Brown and his son Jason whipped up Jamaica's national dish in the Tasty kitchen — along with some bammy, a traditional flatbread made from cassava, on the side.

Recipe: Ackee and Saltfish with Bammy

Speaking of jerk, the marinade is versatile so feel free to use it everything from veggies to pork to seafood. Here's a great way to use it with shrimp.

Recipe: Jerk Shrimp Tacos

Leafy vegetables are the star of this quick dish found throughout the Caribbean. The Jamaican version features callaloo, a member of the amaranth plant family, and can be served with saltfish.

Recipe: Callaloo

Dried hibiscus gives this tart drink such a beautiful magenta color that you'll want to sip on it year-round, even though it's traditionally served during the Christmas holidays in Jamaica. The best part? It can be made with or without rum!

Recipe: Jamaican Sorrel Punch

This delicious savory pastry is flaky and makes a great snack. Don't forget to break out your favorite hot sauce for dipping!

Recipe: Beef Patty

A sweet treat is always a good idea, so try your hand at homemade fritters like these — which are popular in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean.

Recipe: Banana Fritters

A plate of tender oxtail stew with a side of rice and peas is guaranteed to fill you up — and the perfect dish as we head into the colder months.

Recipe: Oxtail Stew

Snapper is the fish of choice in this recipe, and the whole fish is traditionally fried. Try this ASAP if you're looking for a dish that is crispy, spicy, and tangy.

Recipe: Escovitch Fish

Fun fact: The 'peas' in rice and peas are actually red kidney beans. The rice is typically served with oxtail, chicken, or some other protein.

Recipe: Jamaican Rice and Peas

This slow-cooked stew is a popular Jamaican dish that doesn't skimp on the flavor or the spice. Serve with a side of rice or bread to sop up all that glorious sauce.

Recipe: Curried Goat

Brown Stew Chicken is a hearty meal that get's all of it's great flavor from a thick gravy.

Recipe: Brown Stew Chicken

This sweet coconut tart is also found in Portugal, where its called guizada. If you have a sweet tooth, this is perfect for you!

Recipe: Gizzada

More coconut!! Despite the name, this vibrantly-colored dish is closer to candy than it is cake but it's still tasty.

Recipe: Jamaican Grater Cake

Solomon Gundy is a Jamaican pickled fish pâté that works great as an appetizer for gatherings or as a snack. This paleo-friendly recipe pairs it with plaintain tostones.

Recipe: Solomon Gundy

This traditional soup is usually made with offal, but can be made with other parts of the goat — or any other protein you'd like to swap in.

Recipe: Mannish Water (Goat Soup)

Many countries around the world have a version of delicious fried dough, and Jamaica is no exception. The island's dumpling is fluffy on the inside with a crispy exterior, and can be served with sweet and savory dishes.

Recipe: Jamaican Festivals

In this recipe, callaloo is combined with potatoes and chiles to make a silky vegetarian soup.

Recipe: Pepper Pot Soup

This white sweet potato pudding has the warm flavors of nutmeg, ginger, and cinnamon, making it a delicious end to a meal — and a great addition to any holiday menu.

Recipe: Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding

Jamaican steamed cabbage is a great vegan side dish that can be spiced up with scotch bonnet peppers and served alongside just about anything.

Recipe: Jamaican Steamed Cabbage

Also known as chocolate tea, this drink is a Jamaican staple served at breakfast time. Bottoms up!

Recipe: Jamaican Hot Chocolate