If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to spice up your dinner routine, look no further than these delicious Caribbean dishes. You don’t need to travel far to enjoy the flavors of the islands, as these recipes can be made with simple ingredients and in 30 minutes or less. Whether you’re craving jerk chicken, coconut curry, or plantain fritters, we’ve got you covered with these 16 best Caribbean meals to make ASAP.

• Jamaican Jerk Chicken: This classic dish is made with chicken marinated in a spicy and aromatic sauce, then grilled or baked until tender and juicy. Serve with rice and peas, coleslaw, or salad for a complete meal.

• Cuban Picadillo: This hearty stew is made with ground beef, tomatoes, olives, raisins, and spices, creating a sweet and savory flavor. Picadillo can be served over white rice, with tortillas, or as a filling for empanadas or tacos.

• Haitian Griot: This crispy and succulent pork dish is a staple of Haitian cuisine. The pork is marinated in citrus juice, garlic, and herbs, then boiled and fried until golden. Enjoy with pikliz, a spicy cabbage slaw, and fried plantains.

• Trinidadian Doubles: These street food snacks are made with fried flatbread stuffed with curried chickpeas, topped with chutneys, sauces, and cucumber. Doubles are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or a late-night bite.

• Dominican Sancocho: This hearty soup is made with a variety of meats, such as beef, pork, chicken, and sausage, as well as root vegetables, corn, and plantains. Sancocho is a comforting and filling dish that can feed a crowd.

• Puerto Rican Mofongo: This mashed plantain dish is flavored with garlic, bacon, and broth, creating a creamy and savory base for any protein. You can top it with shrimp, chicken, pork, or beef, or enjoy it as a vegetarian dish.

• Barbadian Cou-Cou and Flying Fish: This national dish of Barbados is made with cornmeal cooked with okra and water until thick and smooth, then served with fried or steamed flying fish in a tomato-based sauce. Cou-cou and flying fish is a simple but satisfying meal that showcases the island’s fresh seafood.

• Bahamian Conch Salad: This refreshing salad is made with conch meat chopped and marinated in lime juice, onion, bell pepper, tomato, and cilantro. Conch salad is a light and zesty appetizer or side dish that can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature.

• Martinican Colombo de Poulet: This chicken curry dish is influenced by Indian cuisine but adapted to the local ingredients of Martinique. The chicken is cooked in a rich sauce made with coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and other spices. Serve with rice or bread for a flavorful and fragrant meal.

• Guadeloupean Bokit: These deep-fried sandwiches are made with dough stuffed with cheese, ham, chicken, fish, or vegetables, then fried until golden and crispy. Bokit can be customized with various sauces and toppings to suit your taste buds.

• Coconut Curry Shrimp with Spinach: This creamy and fragrant curry is made with shrimp, coconut milk, curry powder, ginger, garlic and spinach. It’s easy to whip up in one pot and goes well with rice, naan bread or roti.

• Plantain Fritters with Mango Salsa: These crispy and sweet fritters are made with ripe plantains, flour, eggs and baking powder. They are fried until golden and served with a fresh and tangy mango salsa made with mango, onion, cilantro, lime juice and salt.

• Cuban Sandwiches: These mouthwatering sandwiches are made with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard, layered between two slices of Cuban bread. They are pressed and toasted until the cheese melts and the bread is crisp. Serve them with potato chips or fries for a crunchy side.

• Caribbean Fish Tacos: These zesty tacos are made with fish fillets seasoned with cumin, paprika, salt and pepper, then pan-fried or baked until flaky. They are topped with shredded cabbage, avocado slices and a homemade pineapple salsa made with pineapple, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice. Wrap them in corn or flour tortillas and enjoy.

• Caribbean Salad: This refreshing salad is made with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, corn, black beans and avocado. It’s tossed with a homemade dressing made with olive oil, lime juice, honey, cumin, salt and pepper. It’s perfect for a light and healthy lunch or dinner.

• Caribbean Chicken Soup: This cozy and comforting soup is made with chicken broth, chicken pieces, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf and allspice. It’s simmered until the chicken is tender and the soup is flavorful. Serve it with crusty bread or crackers for a warm and filling meal.

These dishes will transport you to the tropics in no time. Enjoy!

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