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Easy Caribbean recipes
Jamaican rum punch
Original Flava's rum punch is packed with the tropical flavours of coconut, pineapple and lime. It's simple to make and can serve a crowd, meaning it's ideal for summer get-togethers.
Caribbean rum cake
This decadent and boozy cake from Caribbean chef Keshia Sakarah is fed with spiced rum and traditionally served during the festive season.
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Jamaican oxtail stew
This Jamaican oxtail stew is best made on a rainy day – the impossibly tender, fall-apart meat and thick, silky gravy make it a comforting dish when served with crusty bread for mopping up the juices.
Jamaican beef patties
Infused with Jamaican-style spices, these miniature pies are perfect for parties, picnic and lunchboxes.
Buttered shrimp and grits
This Caribbean dish sees buttered shrimp in a smoky paprika sauce, served with bacon over a bed of smooth and creamy grits. These comforting bowls make for a hearty brunch to serve four.
Caribbean chicken stew
This Caribbean chicken stew recipe comes from Trinidadian recipe writer, Shivi Ramoutar. It's flavoured with thyme, ginger, lime, Angoustura bitters and scotch bonnet sauce. Serve with coconut rice and peas. Shivi says: “Ma’s stew chicken with rice and peas, and macaroni pie, was our family’s steadfast Sunday comfort lunch from our childhood in Trinidad to now, and it always takes me back to a happy place."
Blackened pineapple chow
Chef Liam Barker has Trinidad and Tobago ancestry. Try his effortless blackened pineapple topped with hot sauce, garlic, lime and coriander to spice up your everyday barbecuing.
Trinidadian curry shrimp
Check out this traditional Trinidadian curry shrimp for dinner – shrimp is seasoned with citrussy amchar masala, earthy green seasoning and served with flaky paratha to mop up all the juices. This recipe comes from Brixton restaurant, Caribe’.
Trinidadian pelau
Pelau is a traditional rice dish from Trinidad and Tobago. Brixton restaurant Caribe’s version features chicken thighs, gungo peas and coconut milk and is flavoured with an earthy green seasoning.
Barbudian fish wata
Wata, a light fish soup from Barbuda, is flavoured with earthy green seasoning, fiery scotch bonnet and zingy ginger. This recipe comes from Brixton restaurant, Caribe’.
Black cake
This speedy version of the classic Caribbean treat, featuring port, dark rum and dried fruits, is a mainstay at important events.
Bajan chicken
A classic dish from Barbados, this Bajan chicken recipe from David Carter, chef and founder of Smokestak in London, sees chicken legs marinated in a scotch bonnet, marjoram and lime seasoning and barbecued until brown and fragrant.
Banana and rum fritters (beignets bananes)
These delicious banana and rum fritters are traditional in the French Caribbean where they're served every Sunday throughout January until Ash Wednesday. Try Vanessa Bolosier's recipe any time of year.
Antiguan ducana
Evolving from Ghanaian ‘dokono’, this celebratory Caribbean dish by Keshia Sakarah calls for cornmeal, pumpkin or sweet potato, raisins and fresh spices, sweetened with sugar and coconut, then wrapped and steamed inside banana leaves.
Jerk seasoning mix
Make your own Caribbean spice blend to liven up chicken and pork dishes.
Dressed crab (Crabe farci)
This is an essential element in any assiette Creole (Creole platter). Blue land crab is now a protected species in the French Caribbean and it is only eaten at specific times of the year, but when the hunting season is open there are countless ways of cooking it. Here's one to try. This recipe comes from Creole Kitchen by Vanessa Bolosier (Pavilion, £25).
Jamaican-inspired curry pork
A spin on the classic curry goat, this spiced pork curry is melt-in-the-mouth tender and full of Caribbean spices (allspice berries, scotch bonnet chillies, curry powder and more). We have more great curry recipes here.
Papacoco (bavaroise à la papaye)
In the Caribbean, a bavaroise has come to mean a milky (and often alcoholic) fruit drink – quite different from the creamy, fruity French dessert bavarois that is set with gelatine. The most popular flavours are soursop, papaya and guava. Try Vanessa Bolosier's version.
Caribbean-inspired fish curry
Check out our vibrant fish curry recipe made with Caribbean curry powder, punchy scotch bonnet chillies and creamy coconut milk.
Goat curry
This Jamaican-style goat curry recipe is a great introduction to eating goat. If you can't get Jamaican curry powder use a mild Madras powder and add a pinch of ground allspice.
Jerk chicken skewers with mango salad
Coat chicken pieces with jerk seasoning and cook over a hot griddle pan for some midweek heat ready in 20 minutes.
Classic mojito
A deliciously refreshing blend of rum, mint, soda water, sugar and lime juice, the origins of this classic Cuban co*cktail stretch back to the 1500s but it exploded in popularity in the 19th century with the birth of the Bacardí rum brand. Very refreshing and sure to whisk you away to the Caribbean!
Jamaican-style pepperpot stew
This Jamaican-style recipe is an easy one-pot to feed the family. Ginger, chilli and allspice spice up the tender beef and sweet potato for a warming dish.
Jamaican ginger and caramel cake
Caramac drizzle creates a stunning drip finish to this impressive layer cake, perfect for a grown-up celebration.
Piña colada
Best drunk on holiday, next to the pool, ideally from a pineapple. Piña coladas really are the bee's knees – transport yourself to the tropics with our perfect recipe.
Jamaican spiced Easter bun
Check out this recipe for spiced Jamaican buns flavoured with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and mixed spice, and bursting with raisins, mixed peel and cherries.
Mojito grilled chicken
We've given grilled chicken a mojito twist in this summery BBQ recipe. Rum and sugar caramelise well when cooked together in a marinade – keep an eye on this as it cooks and adjust the grill to get a nicely browned skin without too much blackening.
Creole pork ragoût (Ragout de cochon)
This is the cornerstone of the Creole Christmas dinner. Pigs are fed every day on breadfruit, bananas and guavas, so their meat is juicy and packed with flavour. This recipe comes from Creole Kitchen by Vanessa Bolosier (Pavilion, £25).
Piña colada tarts
Add a Caribbean twist to your baking with pineapple, coconut and rum – the flavours of piña colada. Use readymade pastry to make this dessert super easy.
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Jamaican-style prawn and sweet potato curry
This prawn and sweet potato curry is easy, ready in under an hour and under 500 calories.
