There’s just something magical about Christmas in the Caribbean. The air feels warmer, the music gets a little louder, and the food? Oh, the food becomes the heart of the celebration. Whether you’re hosting a full island-inspired feast or simply want to bring a little sunshine to your holiday table, these recipes deliver major festive flavor with that unmistakable Caribbean soul.
There’s a little bit of everything on this menu: the classics, the personal favorites, and the “can’t have Christmas without it” dishes, all with bright spices, bold color, and big personality. It’s cozy, joyful, and guaranteed to make your home smell like the holidays grew up near the beach.
FAQ
Absolutely! Many traditional ingredients have easy substitutions, and the heart of Caribbean cooking is flavor, not perfection. A few swaps won’t break the festive spirit.
Some dishes have a natural kick, but most heat levels can be adjusted. Caribbean cuisine is all about balance: savory, sweet, tangy, and spicy working together. You stay in charge of the pepper level.
Yes! Many Caribbean holiday dishes, especially meats, rice, breads, and desserts, actually taste better the next day. Prep ahead and let the flavors deepen while you enjoy more of the celebration.
Jamaican Christmas Recipes
Oven Baked Jerk Chicken
This dish brings bold island flavor without the fuss of grilling. The jerk marinade adds heat, herbs, and that classic smoky sweetness, turning simple chicken into a festive showstopper. It’s an easy way to bring real Jamaican holiday spirit to your table.
Crispy, moist, flavorful chicken smothered in spicy jerk sauce is easy to make and a real taste bud explosion! Enjoy a Caribbean vacation right out of your oven.
Jamaican Curry Goat
This slow-cooked classic delivers tender, fall-apart goat meat simmered in a rich, spicy curry gravy. We’re talking pure comfort with a Caribbean kick! It’s a beloved Jamaican celebration dish that feels special without requiring much prep, making it perfect for the holiday table. If you want something bold, hearty, and full of soul, curry goat never disappoints.
An incredibly delicious slow-cooked stew full of fork-tender goat meat and spicy Jamaican flavor, all smothered in a creamy gravy! An absolutely must-make Jamaican recipe that takes out-of-the-ordinary into spicy deliciousness! Exceptionally easy with minimal prep makes it even better.
Pineapple Honey Baked Ham
This version of ham brings a Caribbean twist to a holiday classic: smoky, juicy ham gets dressed up with a sticky glaze of pineapple juice, honey, brown sugar, and warm spices, giving it a sweet-tangy, slightly tropical glow. The pineapple rings and cherries on top make it look as festive as it tastes. It’s a perfect balance of traditional comfort and island flavor that’ll stand out on your Christmas table.
Succulent, smokey goodness bursts with tropical flavors from the pineapple and spiced rum honey glaze. The smokey and salty flavor from the ham complements the sweet, warm, and sticky glaze so well!
Jamaican Oxtail Stew
This rich stew transforms oxtail into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat that practically slides off the bone after hours of slow cooking. Braised with warming spices like allspice, thyme, and a spicy touch of Scotch bonnet, plus butter beans for comfort and texture, it delivers deep, bold flavors that feel soulful and celebratory. It’s the kind of dish that turns a holiday dinner into something hearty, homey, and truly Jamaican.
Out-of-this-world delicious oxtails braised with butter beans in a flavorful gravy spiced up with allspice, thyme, paprika, scotch bonnet pepper, curry powder, and browning sauce for fall-off-the-bone tender goodness. A must-have on your fall and winter rotation!
Jamaican Pigeon Peas and Rice
This fragrant dish combines nutty pigeon peas (or beans) and sweet corn with long-grain rice cooked in creamy coconut milk. It’s a comforting, island-flavored staple that works beautifully as a base for richer mains. The subtle smokiness and aromatic spices give it warmth and depth, while the creamy coconut keeps things cozy and festive. Hearty enough to eat on its own, it’s also the perfect companion for jerk chicken, curry goat, or oxtail stew.
Plump pigeon peas, sweet corn, and traditional Jamaican spices simmered in creamy coconut milk. Simply delicious!
Caribbean Cole Slaw
Crunchy shredded cabbage and carrots meet a tangy, slightly sweet dressing for a bright, refreshing side that balances heavier mains. This slaw adds a crisp, vibrant contrast — perfect next to rich dishes like oxtail stew or curry goat — and brings a bit of sunshine to the holiday table.
Mayo-free coleslaw that’s light, fruity, sweet, and refreshingly good! A perfect no-cook side dish for this summer. Or add your favorite protein and carb for a complete meal for a tasty option to switch up your flavors.
Christmas Recipes with a Puerto Rican Spin
Pernil
This slow-roasted pork shoulder is marinated with garlic, oregano, and citrus for deep, savory flavor. Beneath its golden-brown, crispy exterior lies juicy, flavorful meat that melts in your mouth. Need I say more? Pernil is a must-have on any Puerto Rican Christmas table.
Fork-tender, fall-off-the-bone pork roast marinated in savory herbs and spices, then roasted to perfection. Underneath its irresistible, crispy, crunchy skin is tender, juicy meat oozing with mouthwatering deliciousness. Perfect for your holiday spread!
Sancocho
A hearty, comforting stew of meats, root vegetables, and spices, sancocho warms both body and soul. Each spoonful feels like a festive hug, perfect for holiday gatherings.
This perfect one-pot meal is a hearty, mouthwatering stew with all kinds of meat, sausage, and root vegetables. An absolutely satisfying stew enjoyed in Latin America and the Caribbean ideal for warming the soul!
Pastelon (Plantain Lasagna)
Often called Puerto Rican lasagna, pastelón layers sweet plantains with seasoned ground beef and cheese for a rich, sweet-savory dish. It’s colorful, indulgent, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
This Latin-style (Puerto Rican) plantain lasagna combines sweet and savory flavors made with spiced beef sandwiched between layers of plantains and topped with cheese and eggs. It’s an absolutely incredible meal for special days or even just a regular weeknight dinner. 😉
Arroz con Gandules
This classic rice and pigeon peas dish is infused with sofrito, olives, and capers for bright, fragrant flavor. It’s a versatile, festive side that complements every Caribbean holiday main on this list.
Arroz con Gandules – a classic Puerto Rican savory rice dish cooked with meat, gandules (aka pigeon peas) and some olives then spiced up with a homemade sofrito for an extra delicious rice meal!
Pasteles
Gift-wrapped in banana leaves, pasteles are tender masa pockets filled with savory meat and seasonings. They’re labor-intensive but absolutely worth it for this traditional treat that screams Christmas.
Alcapurrias
Crispy fried fritters made with seasoned yuca dough, stuffed with spiced meat. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, alcapurrias bring irresistible crunch and bold flavor to the party.
This tasty traditional Puerto Rican snack. Grated yuca (and maybe some mashed green bananas) stuffed with picadillo (a tasty beef filling) come together for pure heaven. This empanada-like snack is perfect for entertaining!
Trinidadian Christmas Recipes
Callaloo
This leafy green stew, flavored with okra, coconut milk, and seasonings, is rich, earthy, and uniquely Caribbean. It adds vibrant color and nutrients to the Christmas table. Serve them with stewed red beans and pork for a soul-satisfying dinner.
A vibrant, healthy, and fresh way of cooking green leafy vegetables. This quick, easy, and delicious recipe is a great way to get healthy greens on the table with no complaints
Caribbean Potato Salad
Creamy, tangy, and lightly spiced, this Caribbean potato salad balances heavier mains while keeping the flavors fresh and bright. It’s also chock full of veggies, in case you need a sneaky way to work those in amongst all the indulgent holiday foods.
Caribbean Potato Salad – This incredible potato salad is creamy, luscious, tasty, and chock full of vegetables.
Trinidad Macaroni Pie
This baked pasta dish is cheesy, comforting, and slightly spicy. It’s a Caribbean twist on classic macaroni and cheese that’s perfect for holiday gatherings.
This is baked mac and cheese the Caribbean Way, with loads of flavor. Add a little spice to your life, my friend. Comfort food has never tasted so good!
Cuban Recipes for the Holidays
Rice and Black Beans
A simple yet iconic side, rice and black beans are cooked with aromatic spices for a savory, satisfying base that complements all those rich mains you’ve got planned by now.
Add pernil and a Cuban salad for a complete menu. The salad is a fresh, citrusy combination of mixed greens, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and red peppers, tossed in lime or lemon dressing. It’s a bright, crisp counterpoint to heartier holiday dishes.
Fried Plantains (Tostones)
Golden, crispy on the outside and soft inside, these twice-fried plantains are absolutely addictive. Add the zesty shrimp and sweet-tangy pineapple guacamole to the mix, and tostones transform into the ultimate appetizer.
Caribbean Christmas Desserts
Black Cake
Dense, moist, and soaked with rum, this fruit cake is a Caribbean holiday classic full of deep, spiced sweetness. Everyone will be shocked that this dark cake doesn’t have a speck of chocolate in it, and they’ll definitely be coming back for seconds.
This decadent and unique tropical cake is deep, dark, rich, and boozy and packed with dried fruits and warm spices.
Bread Pudding
Rich, custardy, and slightly spiced, bread pudding is a cozy dessert that warms the heart and satisfies the sweet tooth. And if you aren’t convinced, let me just say there’s a hint of warm bourbon in the pudding and a drizzle of rum sauce. Yum!
Classic Flan
Silky, creamy custard with a golden caramel top is a simple yet elegant way to end the meal. It’s a make-ahead classic that is irresistible.
Flan Recipe – fancy yet simple to make dessert with a dense yet sturdy creamy sweet custard topped with a made from scratch caramel sauce. Caramelly, sweet, custardy indulgence that melts in your mouth. An incredible make-ahead dessert for all occasions!
Tembleque
This coconut milk pudding with a soft, wobbly texture and a sprinkle of cinnamon hails from Puerto Rico. It’s tropical, creamy, and utterly festive.
An incredible coconut pudding from Puerto Rico delivers pure comfort on New Year’s Day and Christmas. However, the sweetened creaminess of full-fat coconut milk makes it the perfect dessert for any time of year.
Bunuelos
Bunuelos are crispy, fried dough balls dusted with sugar or drizzled with syrup. They are perfect for snacking or sharing during celebrations.
Arroz con Leche
Creamy rice pudding flavored with cinnamon and vanilla is a comforting, sweet finish that feels like a hug in a bowl. Arroz con leche always leaves everyone feeling totally satisfied.
Classic Arroz con Leche is a creamy Mexican rice pudding that warms the tummy on a cool day or can be served chilled on a hot day. The creaminess of the milk and the consistency of the rice make the perfect dessert or breakfast.
Festive Caribbean Drinks to Sip, Toast, and Celebrate
Sorrel Drink
This bright, tangy, hibiscus-based drink spiced with ginger and cloves is refreshing and full of holiday cheer. It’s also a beautiful non-alcoholic drink that still feels fit for a celebration.
Coquito
This Puerto Rican coconut-based holiday drink is creamy, sweet, and spiked with rum. It’s a festive treat for sipping or sharing with friends and family.
By Imma
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