21 Most Wanted Jamaican Christmas Recipes: A Culinary Guide to the Caribbean Holiday

Sorrel Drink

No Jamaican Christmas is complete without a glass of sorrel drink. This refreshing beverage is made with sorrel, a type of hibiscus flower, and spices like ginger and cinnamon.

• 1 cup dried sorrel
• 8 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup ginger, grated
• 1/2 cup cinnamon sticks
• 1/4 cup cloves

• In a large pot, combine the sorrel, water, and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth into a clean pot. Add the ginger, cinnamon, and cloves and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the mixture has thickened.
• Strain the mixture again through a cheesecloth and let cool completely before serving.

Gingerbread

Gingerbread is a classic Jamaican Christmas treat. These spicy cookies are made with a blend of spices, molasses, and ginger.

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Beat in the egg and molasses.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
• Roll out the dough to a thickness of 1/4 inch and cut out shapes with a gingerbread cookie cutter.
• Place the cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown around the edges.

Stew Peas

Stew peas is a hearty Jamaican dish made with red kidney beans, salt beef, and a variety of spices.

• 1 pound red kidney beans, soaked overnight
• 1 pound salt beef, cooked and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 green bell peppers, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon allspice
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup tomato paste
• 1 cup beef broth

• In a large pot, combine the beans, salt beef, onion, bell peppers, garlic, thyme, allspice, black pepper, tomato paste, and beef broth.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender.
• Serve hot with rice or dumplings.

Rice and Peas

Rice and peas is a classic Jamaican side dish made with rice, peas, and a variety of spices.

• 1 cup rice
• 1 cup split peas, picked over
• 2 cups water
• 1 onion, chopped