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Jamaican Soul Food
Are Any Similarities With American Cuisine?

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Jamaican Soul FoodJamaican Soul Food

by Sheree-Anita Shearer | Associate Writer

Well, we don’t call it Jamaican soul food, but I have an idea of what you are searching for just the same.

When I think of American soul food, it is always associated with mothers, grandmothers and aunts, extended family dinners and long hours in the kitchen. Sunday also seems to be the international day for family dinners and Jamaica is no different.

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But what are the other similarities between the two cuisines?

Firstly, American soul food came about because of slavery. Both Black Americans and the Caribbean believe strongly in seasoning with herbs and spices. This is directly passed down from generations passed who relied heavily on seasonings in their food. The enslaved persons were not given choice cuts of meats by the slave masters and so they had to get creative with the way they seasoned and cooked their food to make it palatable.

Meats and fish were breaded, small cuts of meat were added to vegetables and a high fat and carbohydrate intake was necessary to replenish the energy expelled on the plantations daily.

The African slaves took their knowledge of food from back home and applied it as best as they could in America. Substituting where necessary and in trying to recreate a dish from home, were able to create something different but delicious just the same.

Along with African influences, the methods of Native Americans and Europeans were also applied to cooking soul food. Ingredients like corn are a direct influence of the Native Americans.

Jamaica had the influence of the Tainos, Maroons, Irish, Indian and Chinese in our cooking methods. Our multiple curry dishes are a direct link to our Indian ancestors; that is just one thing the influences of our past people on our cuisine are evident in everyday life.

Jamaicans love stir-fried vegetables, fried rice and sweet and sour meats something we learnt from the Chinese immigrants who came as indentured labourers and merchants after slavery was abolished.

So I thought about what the “Jamaican soul food” list would look like. I solicited the help of my friends and family to see what their submissions would be. This is what we came up with:

Jamaican Soul Food | Jamaican Curry GoatJamaican Soul Food | Jamaican Curry Goat
  • Rice and Peas - No matter how often we’ve had rice and peas on the other days, Sunday without rice and peas is a terrible start to a Jamaican week.

  • Curried Goat - Curried goat is usually reserved for special occasions as it is quite expensive. But, on those days you do have it, it is a curried dish made with herbs, spices and love. If you decide to buy your meat at the butcher’s or “meat shop, " that’s good. But, for family occasions, the goat is bought and butchered on the spot, that way you can get the best cuts of meat for your curried goat, roasted goat testicles for those you enjoy it and our next submission on the Jamaican soul food list…

  • Mannish Water - This is a mix of odd cuts of goat, the head, the feet and “belly” (intestines) made into a thick goat soup. It often includes starchy tubers such as yam, cassava and Irish potatoes, carrots, and spinners (dumplings).

  • Oxtail - This rich stew is not had every week, the expensive cut of meat is a splurge for most. When it is done and done right, it is a delicious stew with dumplings or broad beans, which I assume was first added to “stretch the meal” but now it is standard practice.

  • Porridge - Porridge is a heavy contender in the breakfast department. And the older I get the more I learn that in Jamaica, anything can be porridge. The Jamaican soul food list submissions though are cornmeal, hominy and peanut. It is usually one of those three that Jamaicans pick as their favourite porridge. Others that could be considered are banana and plantain. Then you’ll have the off-shoot porridges, pumpkin, carrot and rice which as crazy as it might sound is way better than oatmeal, but that is just my opinion.

  • Stew peas - This is an overflow of proteins as red kidney beans are pressured and boiled down to a stew with coconut milk, and your choice of meat which could be pigtails, beef, chicken or turkey neck. Spinners are also a must. This is usually had with white rice.

  • Tripe and beans - Now if you come to Jamaica, don’t expect this one at your hotel. It looks more intimidating than it actually is. Cow intestines are cooked together with broad beans in a stew.

  • Cow Foot - Again, this isn’t a meal we will have all the time but many Jamaican have it near and dear to their hearts, Cow foot is literally as the name says, cow's feet chopped up, seasoned and made into a stew.
Jamaican Soul Food | Jamaican Cornmeal and Sweet Potato PuddingsJamaican Soul Food | Jamaican Cornmeal and Sweet Potato Puddings

We also have desserts as well here are some of our favourites:

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Return to Unpopular Jamaican Dishes from Jamaican Soul Food
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References & Sources For Jamaican Soul Food

  1. En.wikipedia.org. 2022. Soul food - Wikipedia. [online] Available at: [Accessed 2 September 2022].

Jamaican Soul Food | Written: September 02, 2022

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