What Foods Do Jamaicans Eat The Most?

Cornmeal Porridge

We’re starting strong with porridge, a true Jamaican breakfast tradition. While we sometimes have oatmeal in the mornings, our porridges are mostly made from more locally sourced ingredients. Bananas, peanuts, plantains, hominy corn, and cornmeal are most often used, with cornmeal being the most popular. Sweetened with sugar and/or condensed milk and often flavoured with nutmeg or cinnamon, porridge is the perfect way to start the day. Coconut milk is also a popular addition, making it creamy and rich. Each family has their own twist, so you’ll find unique variations from home to home.

And, if you are running late, you are guaranteed to pass many porridge stalls in the morning with a hot cup of goodness waiting for you.

A Jamaican meal just isn’t complete without rice and peas. This is a must on Sundays and for many, again on Wednesdays and that’s just at home. While on the road during the days for work, school or leisure, when it comes around lunchtime, rice and peas will be on the menu. Most times it's paired with fried chicken but it is also had with a plethora of other dishes as well. Some of which we’re getting into right after this, don’t worry. Made with rice, kidney beans (or “peas” as we call them), coconut milk, and spices, rice and peas are flavorful and comforting. It’s a dish you’ll see at every gathering, whether it’s a wedding, family dinner, or beach picnic. Now on to its other tasty companions!

Curry chicken is also a staple in Jamaica, and you’ll find it served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. This dish is a vibrant yellow, thanks to our unique curry powder blend, and packed with flavour from garlic, ginger, and scotch bonnet peppers. Often served with white rice, roti, or dumplings, curry chicken is a flavorful and filling meal that’s loved by just about everyone on the island.

When people think of Jamaica, jerk chicken is one of the first things that comes to mind and for good reason! Our jerk chicken is smoky, spicy, and flavourful, thanks to a marinade packed with pimento (allspice), scotch bonnet peppers, and other herbs. You’ll find jerk chicken at almost every restaurant and roadside stand, and we also jerk pork, fish, and even lobster. A bite of jerk chicken with a festival (a sweet fried dough) a cool drink on the side, and you’ll get a real taste of Jamaican flavour.

Now, if there’s one dish that every Jamaican proudly claims, it’s ackee and saltfish. This delicious combo is our national dish, and we enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ackee, a unique yellow fruit with a buttery texture, pairs perfectly with salty codfish. Together, they create a tasty, nutritious meal that’s often served with fried dumplings, breadfruit, or boiled bananas. For those who skip the saltfish, ackee on its own is just as flavorful and often enjoyed as a vegan option. Sadly ackee is seasonal but we make up for lost time when ackee season rolls around!