27+ Authentic Jamaican Lunch Recipes to Spice Up Your Meal

Jamaican cuisine is renowned for its vibrant flavors, bold spices, and rich cultural heritage that bring every meal to life.

Whether you’re craving the fiery heat of jerk chicken, the comforting warmth of oxtail stew, or the unique taste of traditional dishes like ackee and saltfish, Jamaican lunch recipes offer a diverse range of options to satisfy your appetite.

With over 27 Jamaican lunch recipes to explore, you can enjoy everything from hearty stews and flavorful seafood to delicious fried snacks and vegetarian delights.

These recipes celebrate the island’s culinary traditions and provide easy ways to bring authentic Jamaican taste into your kitchen, making lunch time a flavorful adventure.

27+ Authentic Jamaican Lunch Recipes to Spice Up Your Meal

Exploring these 27+ Jamaican lunch recipes opens the door to a world of exciting, diverse, and delicious meals that are perfect for any occasion.

From spicy, grilled jerk meats to comforting coconut-based stews and vibrant vegetable dishes, Jamaican cuisine has something for everyone.

Incorporating these recipes into your meal planning not only enriches your palate but also introduces you to a rich cultural heritage filled with warmth and tradition.

Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner, these recipes make it easy to enjoy authentic Jamaican flavors right at home.

Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jamaican jerk chicken is a flavorful and spicy dish that showcases the bold, aromatic spices of the Caribbean.

Marinated in a mixture of scotch bonnet peppers, allspice, thyme, and other herbs, the chicken is grilled or baked to perfection, delivering a smoky, tender, and spicy lunch that’s packed with authentic Jamaican flavor.

Ingredients:

• Chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
• Scotch bonnet peppers
• Allspice
• Thyme
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Brown sugar
• Soy sauce
• Lime juice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Combine all marinade ingredients in a blender to create a paste. Coat the chicken pieces thoroughly and marinate for several hours or overnight. Grill or bake the chicken until cooked through and nicely charred. Serve with rice and peas or fried plantains.

This jerk chicken offers an exciting balance of heat and smoky flavor, making it an irresistible lunch that transports you straight to Jamaica’s vibrant culinary scene.

Jamaican Curry Goat

Jamaican curry goat is a rich, hearty dish that highlights the island’s love for robust spices and slow-cooked meats.

Tender goat meat is simmered with curry powder, garlic, ginger, and Scotch bonnet peppers until melt-in-your-mouth tender.

It’s a popular lunch dish served with rice or bread, perfect for those craving authentic Jamaican comfort food.

Ingredients:

• Goat meat, cut into chunks
• Jamaican curry powder
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Garlic, minced
• Ginger, minced
• Onion, chopped
• Thyme
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Salt and pepper
• Water or broth

Instructions:
Brown the goat meat, then add all spices and aromatics. Cover with water or broth and simmer on low until the meat is tender and sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning and serve with steamed rice or dumplings.

This curry goat delivers bold, warming flavors that make it a satisfying and memorable lunch experience rich in Jamaican tradition.

Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish

Jamaican ackee and saltfish is the island’s national dish, offering a unique combination of tender salted cod and the creamy, slightly nutty ackee fruit.

This flavorful dish is sautéed with peppers, onions, and spices, creating a savory and filling lunch that reflects Jamaica’s rich cultural heritage.

Ingredients:

• Salted codfish, soaked and flaked
• Canned ackee (drained)
• Onion, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Thyme
• Black pepper
• Vegetable oil

Instructions:
Boil and drain the salted codfish to remove excess salt. Sauté onions, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes in oil. Add the codfish and cook briefly before gently folding in the ackee. Season with thyme and pepper, cook until heated through, and serve with fried dumplings or bread.

Ackee and saltfish is a hearty, flavorful lunch that combines savory and creamy textures, offering a truly authentic taste of Jamaican cuisine.

Jamaican Pepperpot Soup

Jamaican pepperpot soup is a hearty and spicy traditional soup that’s perfect for lunch or any time you want a comforting meal.

Made with callaloo, okra, beef, and plenty of Scotch bonnet pepper, this rich soup combines bold flavors and nutritious ingredients for a filling and authentic Jamaican experience.

Ingredients:

• Beef, cubed
• Callaloo or spinach
• Okra, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Thyme
• Coconut milk
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Brown the beef and sauté onions, garlic, and thyme. Add water or broth, coconut milk, and Scotch bonnet pepper, then simmer until beef is tender. Add callaloo and okra near the end, cooking until vegetables are soft but still vibrant. Season to taste and serve hot.

This soup is packed with layers of flavor and warming spices, making it a nourishing lunch that celebrates the heart of Jamaican cooking.

Jamaican Escovitch Fish

Jamaican escovitch fish is a tangy, spicy fried fish dish topped with a vibrant vinegar-based pickled vegetable sauce.

Traditionally made with snapper or other firm white fish, this dish offers a delightful contrast between crispy fish and zesty, crunchy vegetables.

Ingredients:

• Whole snapper or fillets
• Flour for dredging
• Vinegar
• Carrots, julienned
• Onions, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper, sliced
• Pimento seeds or allspice
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for frying

Instructions:
Season and dredge the fish in flour, then fry until golden and crispy. In a separate pan, sauté onions, carrots, Scotch bonnet, and pimento seeds in vinegar and a little sugar. Pour the hot pickled vegetables over the fried fish and serve with fried dumplings or bammy.

Escovitch fish offers a delicious balance of crispy, tangy, and spicy flavors, making it a refreshing and vibrant lunch option rooted in Jamaican tradition.

Jamaican Festival and Fried Fish

Jamaican festival and fried fish is a classic pairing often enjoyed as a quick lunch or street food.

The festival is a slightly sweet, fried dough made from cornmeal and flour, served alongside crispy fried fish seasoned with traditional spices.

This combination delivers a satisfying mix of crunchy, savory, and subtly sweet flavors.

Ingredients:

• Firm white fish fillets (like snapper or cod)
• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Milk or water
• Salt
• Oil for frying
• Seasonings for fish (thyme, garlic, salt, pepper)

Instructions:
Mix cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and milk or water to form a thick batter. Shape into small logs and fry until golden. Season fish fillets and fry until crispy and cooked through. Serve festival with fried fish and a side of hot pepper sauce or ketchup.

This meal is a beloved Jamaican favorite, offering a comforting and tasty lunch that’s easy to prepare and full of cultural flavor.

Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Jamaican brown stew chicken is a beloved dish featuring tender chicken pieces slowly cooked in a rich, flavorful gravy made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of traditional Jamaican spices.

This stew offers a perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors, making it a hearty and comforting lunch option.

Ingredients:

• Chicken pieces (thighs or drumsticks)
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Tomatoes, chopped or canned
• Bell peppers, sliced
• Soy sauce
• Brown sugar
• Thyme
• Scotch bonnet pepper (optional)
• Vegetable oil

Instructions:
Season the chicken and brown it in hot oil. Remove the chicken and sauté onions, garlic, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, thyme, and Scotch bonnet if using. Return chicken to the pot and simmer until cooked through and the sauce thickens. Serve with rice and peas or steamed vegetables.

This dish’s deep, savory flavors and tender meat make it a satisfying lunch that truly embodies the spirit of Jamaican home cooking.

Jamaican Callaloo and Saltfish

Jamaican callaloo and saltfish is a traditional, nutrient-rich dish combining sautéed callaloo leaves with salted codfish, onions, peppers, and spices.

This flavorful and nutritious meal is often enjoyed as a lunch or breakfast and pairs well with dumplings or fried plantains.

Ingredients:

• Salted codfish, soaked and flaked
• Callaloo leaves or spinach
• Onion, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Vegetable oil
• Black pepper

Instructions:
Boil and drain the saltfish to reduce saltiness. Sauté onions, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes in oil. Add the saltfish and cook for a few minutes before adding callaloo. Cook until the callaloo is wilted and tender. Season with black pepper and serve.

This dish combines savory and slightly spicy flavors with leafy greens, making it a wholesome and authentic Jamaican lunch.

Jamaican Rundown

Jamaican rundown is a flavorful seafood stew cooked in coconut milk with herbs, spices, and vegetables.

Traditionally made with salted fish or fresh fish, it offers a creamy, tangy, and slightly spicy taste that’s perfect for a comforting and exotic lunch.

Ingredients:

• Salted cod or fresh fish
• Coconut milk
• Onion, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Garlic, minced
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Thyme
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Green onions

Instructions:
Simmer fish with coconut milk, onions, garlic, tomatoes, and thyme until the sauce thickens and flavors meld. Add Scotch bonnet for heat and season to taste. Serve with dumplings, breadfruit, or steamed rice.

This dish is rich, creamy, and aromatic, offering a true taste of Jamaica’s coastal cuisine ideal for a satisfying midday meal.

Jamaican Rice and Peas

Jamaican rice and peas is a classic and essential side dish often served at lunch alongside meats and stews.

This comforting dish features rice cooked with kidney beans (called peas in Jamaica), coconut milk, and aromatic spices like thyme and scallions, delivering a creamy, flavorful base for any meal.

Ingredients:

• Long-grain rice
• Kidney beans or pigeon peas, cooked
• Coconut milk
• Thyme
• Scallions
• Garlic
• Scotch bonnet pepper (whole)
• Salt

Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover, and simmer until rice is cooked and fluffy, absorbing the coconut milk’s rich flavor. Remove the Scotch bonnet before serving.

This dish is a staple of Jamaican cuisine, providing a fragrant, creamy accompaniment that perfectly complements spicy and savory lunches.

Jamaican Patties

Jamaican patties are flaky, savory pastries filled with seasoned meat, vegetables, or other fillings.

These handheld pies are a popular lunch and street food item in Jamaica, offering a spicy and satisfying bite that’s perfect for eating on the go.

Ingredients:

• Ground beef or chicken
• Onion, finely chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Scotch bonnet pepper, minced
• Curry powder
• All-purpose flour (for dough)
• Butter or shortening
• Turmeric (for dough color)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Prepare the dough by mixing flour, butter, turmeric, and water. Cook the filling by sautéing meat with onions, garlic, Scotch bonnet, and curry powder. Roll out dough, cut into circles, fill with meat mixture, fold, and seal edges. Bake until golden brown.

Jamaican patties offer a perfect blend of flaky crust and flavorful filling, making them an iconic and convenient lunch choice packed with island spices.

Jamaican Festival

Jamaican festival is a sweet, fried dough often served as a side dish with fried fish or jerk chicken at lunch.

Slightly crispy on the outside and soft inside, this mildly sweet bread adds a delightful contrast to savory main dishes.

Ingredients:

• Cornmeal
• All-purpose flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Milk or water
• Salt
• Oil for frying

Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients, then add milk or water to form a thick batter. Shape the dough into small logs and fry in hot oil until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels before serving.

Festival is a beloved Jamaican comfort food that pairs perfectly with spicy and savory lunch dishes, offering a sweet and crunchy complement that balances bold flavors.

Jamaican Oxtail Stew

Jamaican oxtail stew is a rich and hearty dish where tender oxtail pieces are slow-cooked with butter beans, herbs, and spices until the meat is fall-off-the-bone delicious.

This flavorful stew is a popular lunch choice that combines deep, savory flavors with a comforting texture.

Ingredients:

• Oxtail pieces
• Butter beans
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Thyme
• Browning sauce
• Allspice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Season and brown the oxtail in a pot. Sauté onions and garlic, then add the oxtail back with herbs, spices, and water. Simmer slowly for several hours until meat is tender. Add butter beans toward the end and cook until soft. Adjust seasoning and serve with rice or dumplings.

This stew offers a deeply satisfying lunch experience with its tender meat and rich, flavorful sauce — a true Jamaican classic.

Jamaican Festival and Escovitch Fish

Jamaican festival and escovitch fish is a traditional combination featuring crispy fried fish topped with a tangy, spicy pickled vegetable sauce, served alongside sweet, fried festival dough.

This lunch is a perfect balance of savory, spicy, and sweet flavors.

Ingredients:

• Whole snapper or fish fillets
• Flour for dredging
• Vinegar
• Carrots, julienned
• Onions, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper, sliced
• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Milk or water

Instructions:
Dredge and fry fish until golden and crispy. Prepare pickled vegetables by simmering onions, carrots, Scotch bonnet, and vinegar with a touch of sugar. For festival, mix dry ingredients and form dough, then fry until golden. Serve fish topped with escovitch sauce alongside festival.

This meal delivers a delightful combination of textures and bold flavors, perfect for a satisfying and authentic Jamaican lunch.

Jamaican Rundown with Breadfruit

Jamaican rundown with breadfruit is a traditional dish featuring fish simmered in a spicy, creamy coconut milk sauce, paired with roasted or boiled breadfruit.

This lunch is hearty, aromatic, and a true taste of Jamaica’s coastal cuisine.

Ingredients:

• Salted cod or fresh fish
• Coconut milk
• Onion, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Garlic, minced
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Thyme
• Breadfruit, peeled and sliced

Instructions:
Cook fish in coconut milk with onions, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, and Scotch bonnet until thick and flavorful. Meanwhile, roast or boil breadfruit until tender. Serve the rich rundown sauce over the breadfruit for a filling and authentic meal.

This dish combines creamy, spicy, and starchy elements, offering a balanced and satisfying lunch experience deeply rooted in Jamaican tradition.

Jamaican Steamed Fish

Jamaican steamed fish is a light yet flavorful lunch dish where fresh fish is steamed with a blend of aromatic herbs, Scotch bonnet peppers, and vegetables.

The steaming method keeps the fish moist and tender while infusing it with vibrant island flavors.

Ingredients:

• Whole fish or fillets (snapper is popular)
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Thyme
• Onion, sliced
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Bell peppers, sliced
• Lime juice
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Marinate the fish with lime juice, salt, and pepper. Place fish in a steamer or a covered pot with onions, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and thyme. Add Scotch bonnet for heat. Steam until the fish is cooked through and flaky. Serve hot with steamed vegetables or rice.

This dish is fresh and fragrant, offering a healthy and satisfying lunch that highlights the best of Jamaican seafood cuisine.

Jamaican Ital Stew

Jamaican Ital stew is a vibrant vegetarian dish inspired by Rastafarian cuisine, made with fresh vegetables, coconut milk, and herbs.

This hearty stew is nourishing and packed with natural flavors, perfect for a wholesome lunch that’s both filling and meat-free.

Ingredients:

• Callaloo or spinach
• Pumpkin, diced
• Carrots, sliced
• Sweet potatoes, diced
• Coconut milk
• Garlic, minced
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Sauté garlic and thyme, then add vegetables and coconut milk. Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the stew thickens. Add Scotch bonnet for spice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve hot with rice or dumplings.

Ital stew offers a delicious, comforting lunch full of Caribbean flavors that nourish both body and soul.

Jamaican Bammy with Fish

Jamaican bammy with fish is a traditional dish featuring fried or steamed bammy—a flatbread made from cassava—served alongside seasoned fried fish.

This simple yet flavorful meal is a staple in Jamaican coastal cuisine and makes for a satisfying lunch.

Ingredients:

• Bammy (cassava flatbread)
• Firm white fish fillets
• Lime juice
• Salt and pepper
• Thyme
• Flour for dredging
• Oil for frying

Instructions:
Soak and fry or steam bammy until warm and slightly crispy. Marinate fish with lime juice, salt, pepper, and thyme, then dredge in flour and fry until golden. Serve bammy alongside fish with a squeeze of lime.

This pairing offers a delicious balance of textures and flavors, making it a beloved lunch option that captures the essence of Jamaican coastal cooking.

Jamaican Pepper Shrimp

Jamaican pepper shrimp is a spicy, flavorful dish featuring shrimp sautéed with Scotch bonnet peppers, garlic, and a blend of aromatic spices.

This quick-cooking recipe is perfect for a zesty and satisfying lunch that packs a punch of authentic Jamaican heat.

Ingredients:

• Fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Thyme
• Green onions, chopped
• Soy sauce
• Lime juice
• Salt and pepper
• Oil for cooking

Instructions:
Heat oil in a skillet and sauté garlic, Scotch bonnet, and green onions until fragrant. Add shrimp and cook until pink and opaque. Season with thyme, soy sauce, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately with steamed rice or fried dumplings.

This dish is vibrant and spicy, offering a quick lunch that bursts with bold Caribbean flavors.

Jamaican Festival with Jerk Pork

Jamaican festival with jerk pork pairs the sweet, fried cornmeal dough called festival with tender, spicy jerk-seasoned pork.

This combo is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, making it a classic and satisfying Jamaican lunch.

Ingredients:

• Pork shoulder, sliced
• Jerk seasoning (allspice, thyme, Scotch bonnet, garlic, ginger)
• Cornmeal
• Flour
• Sugar
• Baking powder
• Milk or water
• Salt
• Oil for frying

Instructions:
Marinate pork in jerk seasoning and grill or pan-fry until cooked and caramelized. Prepare festival dough by mixing dry ingredients with milk or water and fry until golden. Serve jerk pork alongside festival for a delicious, hearty lunch.

This meal brings together bold jerk flavors and sweet, crunchy festival, delivering a quintessential taste of Jamaica.

Jamaican Chicken Foot Soup

Jamaican chicken foot soup is a traditional, comforting dish made with chicken feet, vegetables, dumplings, and spices simmered together to create a rich and flavorful broth.

Often enjoyed as a lunch or dinner, this soup is hearty and packed with unique flavors.

Ingredients:

• Chicken feet, cleaned and trimmed
• Dumplings (flour and water dough)
• Irish potatoes or yam, diced
• Carrots, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Onion, chopped
• Thyme
• Garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Boil chicken feet with onions, garlic, thyme, and Scotch bonnet until tender. Add potatoes, carrots, and dumplings. Simmer until all ingredients are cooked through and the broth is flavorful. Season to taste and serve hot.

This soup is rich in flavor and tradition, offering a hearty and nourishing Jamaican lunch experience.

Jamaican Ital Stew with Dumplings

Jamaican Ital stew with dumplings is a hearty, plant-based meal inspired by Rastafarian traditions, featuring a rich vegetable stew simmered in coconut milk, served alongside soft boiled dumplings.

This lunch is nourishing, flavorful, and free from meat or dairy.

Ingredients:

• Callaloo or spinach
• Pumpkin, diced
• Okra, sliced
• Carrots, chopped
• Coconut milk
• Onion, chopped
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Garlic, minced
• Dumplings (flour and water dough)
• Thyme
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Sauté onions, garlic, and thyme, then add vegetables and coconut milk. Simmer until tender and stew thickens. Meanwhile, prepare dumplings by mixing flour and water, form into small balls and boil until cooked. Serve stew hot with dumplings on the side.

This dish is comforting and wholesome, delivering authentic Jamaican flavors in a vegetarian lunch perfect for any day.

Jamaican Fried Dumplings with Saltfish

Jamaican fried dumplings with saltfish is a classic and satisfying lunch featuring crispy, golden dumplings paired with savory, flaked salted cod cooked with onions, peppers, and spices.

This dish is both filling and full of authentic island flavors.

Ingredients:

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt
• Water
• Salted codfish, soaked and flaked
• Onion, sliced
• Scotch bonnet pepper, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Vegetable oil

Instructions:
Prepare dumplings by mixing flour, baking powder, salt, and water into a dough. Shape into balls and deep-fry until golden brown. For saltfish, sauté onions, garlic, peppers, and tomatoes, then add flaked codfish and cook until heated through. Serve fried dumplings alongside saltfish.

This meal combines crunchy dumplings with flavorful saltfish for a true taste of Jamaican comfort food.

Jamaican Bammy and Escovitch Fish

Jamaican bammy and escovitch fish is a traditional coastal lunch where bammy—cassava flatbread—is paired with fried fish topped with tangy, spicy pickled vegetables.

This dish is flavorful, texturally delightful, and perfect for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• Bammy (cassava flatbread)
• Firm white fish fillets
• Flour for dredging
• Vinegar
• Onions, sliced
• Carrots, julienned
• Scotch bonnet pepper, sliced
• Pimento seeds or allspice
• Oil for frying

Instructions:
Fry or steam bammy until warm and soft. Dredge fish in flour and fry until golden and crispy. Prepare escovitch sauce by simmering onions, carrots, Scotch bonnet, and pimento seeds in vinegar. Pour pickled vegetables over fried fish and serve with bammy.

This combination offers a vibrant mix of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that bring the essence of Jamaican coastal cuisine to your lunch table.

Jamaican Oxtail with Rice and Peas

Jamaican oxtail with rice and peas is a hearty and beloved lunch dish where tender, slow-cooked oxtail is served alongside flavorful rice cooked with kidney beans and coconut milk.

The oxtail is rich and savory, while the rice and peas add a creamy, aromatic balance.

Ingredients:

• Oxtail pieces
• Kidney beans or pigeon peas
• Rice
• Coconut milk
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Thyme
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Browning sauce
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Brown the oxtail, then slow-cook with onions, garlic, thyme, and Scotch bonnet until tender and flavorful. Cook rice with kidney beans, coconut milk, thyme, and scallions until fluffy. Serve the rich oxtail stew alongside the creamy rice and peas.

This classic pairing is a satisfying and authentic Jamaican lunch that combines bold, comforting flavors with a perfect balance of textures.

Jamaican Callaloo Fritters

Jamaican callaloo fritters are crispy, savory snacks or lunch bites made by mixing chopped callaloo leaves with flour, spices, and seasonings, then frying spoonfuls until golden brown.

These fritters are flavorful, nutritious, and perfect for a quick meal.

Ingredients:

• Callaloo or spinach, chopped
• Flour
• Baking powder
• Onion, finely chopped
• Scotch bonnet pepper, minced
• Garlic, minced
• Thyme
• Salt and pepper
• Water
• Oil for frying

Instructions:
Mix callaloo, flour, baking powder, onions, peppers, garlic, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add water to form a thick batter. Drop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

These fritters offer a tasty and crunchy way to enjoy leafy greens, perfect for a flavorful Jamaican lunch or snack.

Jamaican Rundown with Dumplings

Jamaican rundown with dumplings features fish simmered in a creamy coconut milk sauce infused with spices and herbs, served with boiled dumplings that soak up the rich flavors.

This comforting and aromatic dish is a staple in Jamaican coastal cuisine.

Ingredients:

• Salted cod or fresh fish
• Coconut milk
• Onion, sliced
• Garlic, minced
• Scotch bonnet pepper
• Tomatoes, chopped
• Thyme
• Dumplings (flour and water dough)
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Simmer fish in coconut milk with onions, garlic, tomatoes, thyme, and Scotch bonnet until the sauce thickens and flavors meld. Meanwhile, boil dumplings until cooked through. Serve the fish and sauce over the dumplings for a rich and satisfying lunch.

This dish combines creamy, spicy, and hearty elements for a delicious taste of authentic Jamaican home cooking.

Conclusion

With a variety of over 27 Jamaican lunch recipes to choose from, you can easily transform your midday meals into a celebration of Caribbean flavors. These dishes highlight the perfect balance of spices, textures, and ingredients that make Jamaican food so beloved worldwide. Whether you’re preparing quick snacks like patties and fritters or slow-cooked stews and seafood dishes, these recipes bring the heart of Jamaica’s vibrant food culture to your table. Dive into this collection and discover how easy and enjoyable it is to cook flavorful, satisfying lunches inspired by Jamaica’s rich culinary traditions.