Cooking with Caribbean flavours

Caribbean food culture

With its bold spices, vibrant colours and sun-soaked ingredients, every Caribbean dish tells a story. The region’s cuisine is a reflection of its diverse history, blending African, Indigenous, Indian, Chinese and European influences into something completely unique. Food here is more than fuel, it’s about family, celebration and community. Discover more about the Caribbean food culture.

Authentic Caribbean flavours

With a melting pot of inspiration and flavours, from jerk seasoning to savoury fruits, there’s plenty of choice to help you discover a new dish – or put a spin on an old favourite.

Jerk

The signature spice mix of the Caribbean, jerk seasoning gets its kick from ingredients like chillies, garlic, cinnamon, thyme and nutmeg. Used as a dry rub or a marinade, the flavours are infused with meat to create a delightfully spicy dish. Feeling inspired? Try out our simple Jerk Chicken recipe for a delicious dinner.

Coconut

As an incredibly versatile ’nut’, coconut has many uses in cooking and nothing goes to waste when it comes to Caribbean cuisine; coconut milk, cream, water, oil, sugar, flour… the list goes on. The ‘meat’ and milk are used in both sweet and savoury dishes like rice and peas, curries and cakes. Coconut sugar is an alternative to refined sugar for baking and you can use coconut flour for gluten free bakes.

Plantain

While it looks almost exactly like a banana, plantain is much more suited to savoury dishes and is more akin to a sweet potato. Traditionally it’s fried in butter and served alongside jerk chicken, but roasting brings out the delicious flavour and it works well in stews and soups.

Fruits

Not just for fruit salads, fruits like papaya, pineapple and mango are used in savoury dishes too. Before it ripens, the papaya is treated like a vegetable similar to a squash and is often stuffed and baked or used to make chutneys and relishes. Grilled fruit is also a favourite dish in the Caribbean, with a mixture of chopped fruit sprinkled with brown sugar and cinnamon, then grilled on a barbecue.

Rice and peas

You might be thinking of green garden peas but in the Caribbean, peas actually refers to beans, often red kidney beans. Cooked with rice in a raft of spices and other tasty ingredients, it’s no surprise this dish has become a staple in Caribbean cooking.

Caribbean rice

Rice is at the heart of many Caribbean dishes. It’s the base that ties together bold spices, sweet fruits and savoury meats. From family feasts to street food, rice brings comfort, balance and substance to the plate. Dishes like rice and peas, curries and seafood stews all rely on perfectly cooked grains to soak up the flavours.

At home, you can easily bring these traditions into your own kitchen. Our Caribbean range is designed to make authentic dishes simple, whether you’re short on time or cooking for a crowd. Our Steamed Caribbean Rice & Peas Basmati is a quick and tasty way to enjoy this classic dish, full of coconut flavour and perfectly seasoned beans.

Caribbean flavours FAQs

What are the Caribbean flavours?

Caribbean flavours are bold, vibrant and diverse. They range from fiery jerk spice and fragrant herbs to the natural sweetness of tropical fruits and the creaminess of coconut.

What is the flavour profile of Caribbean food?

Caribbean food balances heat, sweetness, savouriness and spice. Expect smoky chillies, zesty citrus, warming spices like nutmeg and cinnamon and cooling touches of coconut or fresh herbs.

What are the spices in Caribbean food?

Common spices include thyme, nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, ginger, garlic and fiery Scotch bonnet chillies. Jerk seasoning brings many of these together in one blend.

What is a typical Caribbean food?

Staple dishes include jerk chicken, rice and peas, fried plantain, curried goat, saltfish fritters and patties. Each island has its own traditions, but rice and peas with jerk meat or fish is one of the most recognisable meals.