30 Caribbean-Inspired Recipes for a Tropical Escape

Read Time: 13 mins

30 Caribbean-Inspired Recipes for a Tropical Escape2/29 Caribbean Chicken 6 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Easy Caribbean Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This is a very simple recipe that uses easy-to-find ingredients. Serve with some steamed vegetables for a complete meal. Use cubes of pork or even shrimp instead of the chicken. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas Nutrition Facts: 1 cup chicken mixture: 242 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 605mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic exchanges:

3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat

3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fat. For a traditional Sunday supper, finish the meal with one of these Jamaican desserts. 3/29 Caribbean Wontons Test Kitchen Approved Caribbean Wontons Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 35 min Servings 2 dozen (1-1/4 cups sauce) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I first served these fresh and fruity treats as an appetizer at a summer luau. My family and friends now enjoy them as a dessert for occasions throughout the year.—Melissa Birdsong, Gilbert, South Carolina Nutrition Facts: 1 wonton with 1-1/2 teaspoons sauce: 95 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated

No kale on hand?

fat), 6mg cholesterol, 66mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. 4/29 Caribbean Potato Soup 13 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Caribbean Potato Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 6 servings (2-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: An interesting blend of veggies that includes okra, kale and black-eyed peas goes into this bright and hearty soup. No kale on hand? Use spinach instead. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado Nutrition Facts: 1-1/2 cups: 213 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 954mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 6g

fiber), 5g protein

fiber), 5g protein. 5/29 Mama’s Puerto Rican Chicken 6 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Mama’s Puerto Rican Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My mom has a vast repertoire of recipes, and this extra-crispy, spiced-up chicken is the best one of the bunch. We love it served with a side of traditional red beans and rice. —Edwin Robles, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 421 calories, 20g fat (6g saturated fat), 152mg cholesterol, 507mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 38g protein. 6/29

You may wish to card your guests before serving

Caribbean Coconut Rum Cake 4 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 1 hour 25 min Servings 12 servings. Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My take on a traditional Jamaican recipe, this moist cake packs a rum punch. You may wish to card your guests before serving. The longer the rum soaks in, the better—overnight is best. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 piece: 461 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (41g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein. 7/29 Roast Beef Caribbean Style 2 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Roast Beef Caribbean Style

This recipe took first place in the 2011 South Dakota Beef Cook-Off

Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 4 hours 5 min Servings 8 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This recipe took first place in the 2011 South Dakota Beef Cook-Off. Cooking the roast uncovered for the first 30 minutes gives it a crusty exterior similar to barbecued brisket, and the flavorful sauce adds just a hint of heat. —Susan Patrick Watertown, SD Nutrition Facts: 3 ounces cooked beef with 4 teaspoons sauce: 449 calories, 32g fat (8g saturated fat), 92mg cholesterol, 1078mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein. 8/29 Easy Cuban Picadillo 13

My girlfriend gave me this delicious recipe years ago

Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: My girlfriend gave me this delicious recipe years ago. I’ve made it ever since for family and friends, and they all love it. My daughter loves to take leftovers to school for lunch the next day. —Marie Wielgus, Wayne, New Jersey Nutrition Facts: 1 cup beef mixture with 1/2 cup rice: 363 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 683mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat.

10/29 Jamaican Beef Stew 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jamaican Beef

9/29 Cuban Panini 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 25 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: Out of all the panini recipes I make, this is my favorite. The Cuban sandwich is a twist on the old ham and cheese, usually with ham, Swiss, pickles, condiments and sometimes, as in this hearty version, smoked turkey. —Janet Sanders, Pine Mountain, Georgia Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich: 545 calories, 27g fat (12g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 1526mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 33g protein. 10/29 Jamaican Beef Stew 17 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jamaican Beef

This delicious stew makes a hearty supper with a lighter touch

Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 40 min Servings 5 servings (1-1/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: This delicious stew makes a hearty supper with a lighter touch. The leaner cut of meat, herbs and seasonings and fresh vegetables make it so flavorful, you’ll want another bowl! —James Hayes, Ridgecrest, California Nutrition Facts: 1 cup: 285 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 892mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 32g protein. 11/29 Caribbean Bread Pudding Test Kitchen Approved Caribbean Bread Pudding Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time

4 hours 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator:

4 hours 30 min Servings 16 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: A completely unexpected dessert from the slow cooker, my bread pudding is loaded with wonderful tropical flavors. I like to garnish it with a slice of fresh pineapple, whipped cream and a cherry—just like a pina colada! —Elizabeth Doss, California City, California Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup: 254 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 42mg cholesterol, 214mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein. 12/29 Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops 3 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jamaican Jerk Pork Chops Recipe photo by Sheri Silver for Taste

of Home Total Time 25 min Servings 2 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: These sweet, spicy chops can be thrown together in minutes but definitely don’t taste like it. Serve it with a side of jasmine rice and you’ll feel like you’re on a tropical vacation. —Allison Ulrich, Frisco, Texas Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 470 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 114mg cholesterol, 1190mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 28g protein. 13/29 Jamaican Salmon with Coconut Cream Sauce 10 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Total Time 30 min Servings 4 servings Go to Recipe From the

This dazzler is easy and is my go-to meal for company

Recipe Creator: We try to eat salmon a lot because it’s so healthy, and I love thinking of new ways to make it different and delicious. This dazzler is easy and is my go-to meal for company. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California Nutrition Facts: 1 fillet with 3 tablespoons sauce and 2 tablespoons coconut: 497 calories, 34g fat (12g saturated fat), 102mg cholesterol, 467mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 30g protein. 14/29 Chicken-Stuffed Cubanelle Peppers 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Taste of Home Total Time 1 hour 20 min Servings 6 servings Go to Recipe From the

Recipe Creator: Here’s a different take on traditional stuffed peppers

Recipe Creator: Here’s a different take on traditional stuffed peppers. I substituted chicken for the beef and used Cubanelle peppers in place of the green peppers that are usually featured in such a dish. —Ron Burlingame, Canton, Ohio Nutrition Facts: 1 stuffed pepper: 230 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 125mg cholesterol, 661mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 5g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch. 15/29 Caribbean Shrimp & Rice Bowl 9 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Caribbean Shrimp & Rice Bowl Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 20 min Servings

It takes me back to the islands every time I make it

4 servings Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I had a similar rice bowl on vacation and re-created this lighter version at home. It takes me back to the islands every time I make it. Try grilling the shrimp for more beachy flavor. —Lauren Katz, Ashburn, Virginia Nutrition Facts: 1 serving: 498 calories, 14g fat (2g saturated fat), 145mg cholesterol, 698mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 9g fiber), 29g protein. 16/29 Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme 3 Reviews Contest Winner Test Kitchen Approved Jamaican Chocolate Cookies with Caramel Creme Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 55

min Servings about 2-1/2 dozen Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: I made these for an office party cookie contest—not a crumb was left on the platter! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota Nutrition Facts: 1 sandwich cookie: 134 calories, 7g fat (5g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 103mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein. 17/29 Jamaican Ham and Bean Soup 9 Reviews Test Kitchen Approved Jamaican Ham and Bean Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home Total Time 30 min Servings 7 servings (2-3/4 quarts) Go to Recipe From the Recipe Creator: “Island vacation in a

💡 Frequently Asked Questions

⭐ Expert Tips

• Include seasonal or trendy variations to keep your meals exciting.

• Highlight prep shortcuts or time-saving techniques for busy cooks.

• Consider dietary restrictions and include substitution suggestions.

✅ Key Takeaways

• These dinner ideas are perfect for impressing guests or enjoying special occasions.

• Choose recipes that match your skill level and available kitchen tools.

• Presentation and taste both contribute to a memorable dining experience.

📣 Join Our Community