15 Everyday Caribbean Cooking Essentials You Should Always Have—and How to Use Each One

Caribbean cooking is colorful, flavorful, and deeply rooted in culture. From fiery spices to starchy staples, these everyday essentials form the basis of quality island cuisine. Are you preparing a comforting family dinner or trying new recipes? Having these ingredients in your pantry ensures you can always cook meals that taste like home.

At Joe African Caribbean Market, we make it easy to shop for organic Caribbean groceries online in Canada—delivered right to your door. Here are 15 everyday Caribbean cooking essentials you should always have, plus tips on how to use each one.

Image from: Best of Vegan 

1. Plantains

Plantains are one of the most common Caribbean staples. Unlike bananas, they’re starchier and can be used at different ripeness stages. Green plantains are firm and savory, ideal for making fried tostones or boiled as a side dish. Yellow plantains are slightly sweet and soft enough for frying, baking, or steaming. Fully ripe, black-skinned plantains are very sweet and perfect for desserts or snacks.

Fry sliced ripe plantains for a quick, caramelized side to serve with rice and beans.

2. Scotch Bonnet Peppers

These small, fiery peppers are famous for their intense heat and fruity flavor. They are an essential in Caribbean kitchens, especially in Jamaica and Trinidad. They give dishes their signature taste when used whole in soups or chopped finely in marinades

Add a whole scotch bonnet to stews for flavor without too much heat—remove before serving.

3. Ackee

Ackee is Jamaica’s national fruit and pairs perfectly with salted codfish in the unique dish Ackee and Saltfish. When cooked, it has a creamy, scrambled-egg-like texture. It’s mild in flavor, making it a basic base for tasty meals.

Sauté ackee with onions, bell peppers, and spices for a quick vegetarian dish.

4. Salted Codfish (Saltfish)

Preserved in salt, codfish has been a Caribbean dish for centuries. It must be soaked or boiled to reduce the salt before cooking. It’s used in many recipes—from ackee and saltfish to fish cakes, stews, and buljol (a Trinidadian fish salad).

Soak overnight, then shred and fry with onions, tomatoes, and scotch bonnets for a quick breakfast.

Image from: Amigo Foods 

5. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk adds richness, creaminess, and a subtle sweetness to Caribbean meals. It’s a base for curries, rice dishes, stews, and desserts. Freshly squeezed coconut milk is traditional, but canned is convenient and widely used.

Use coconut milk in rice and peas for a silky texture and unique Caribbean flavor.

6. Rice

Rice is a common staple across the Caribbean and takes on many forms: coconut rice, fried rice, rice and peas, and simple steamed rice. It pairs with curries, stews, and jerk meats, making it the base of countless meals.

Cook rice in coconut milk with thyme and scallions for a flavorful side.

7. Pigeon Peas & Kidney Beans

These legumes are key in Caribbean cooking, especially in rice and peas. Kidney beans add creaminess, while pigeon peas offer a nutty flavor. They’re also used in stews, soups, and one-pot meals.

Cook with coconut milk, garlic, and thyme for authentic Caribbean rice and peas.

Image from: Hajuta 

8. Jerk Seasoning

This unique blend combines allspice, scotch bonnets, garlic, thyme, and more. It can be dry-rubbed onto meats or used as a marinade. It’s the flavor behind Jamaica’s world-famous jerk chicken and pork.

Use jerk seasoning on chicken wings before grilling or baking for a quick, smoky dish.

9. Allspice (Pimento)

Allspice, or pimento, is the foundation of Caribbean spice blends. It contains a little cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s used in jerk seasoning, stews, sauces, and even desserts.

Crush allspice berries and add them to curry goat or jerk pork for authentic depth.

10. Callaloo

Callaloo is a leafy green similar to spinach, eaten across the Caribbean. It’s the star ingredient in callaloo soup and is often steamed or sautéed as a side dish.

Sauté callaloo with onions, tomatoes, and coconut milk for a hearty side.

11. Breadfruit

Breadfruit is a starchy fruit often roasted, boiled, or fried. It’s hearty, filling, and tastes like a cross between potato and bread. It’s enjoyed as a side dish or even mashed into a porridge-like meal.

Roast breadfruit, then fry slices for crispy, golden chips.

12. Cassava (Yuca)

Cassava is a root vegetable used across the Caribbean for bammy (cassava flatbread), boiled sides, or fries. It’s gluten-free and has a mild, nutty flavor.

Cut into sticks, boil, then fry for Caribbean-style cassava fries.

Image from: Amigo Foods 

13. Palm Oil

Palm oil is rich, red, and deeply flavorful. It’s used in Caribbean-African fusion dishes, giving a vibrant color and earthy taste to soups, stews, and rice.

Use palm oil in stewed fish or oxtail for richness and authenticity.

14. Curry Powder

Caribbean curry powder is unique and milder than Indian blends but smells good and tastes slightly sweet. It’s used in curry goat, curry chicken, and curry shrimp.

Toast curry powder briefly in oil before cooking to release its flavors.

15. Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Cilantro, Green Onions)

Fresh herbs are the secret behind the aroma of Caribbean cooking. Thyme, especially, is used in nearly every dish, while cilantro and green onions add freshness to soups and marinades.

Bundle fresh thyme and add to soups or stews, removing before serving.

Image from: Simply Recipes 

How to Use These Essentials in Everyday Cooking

Keeping these essentials in your kitchen makes Caribbean cooking simple, flavorful, and versatile. Here are some everyday ideas:

• Quick Weeknight Dinner: Use jerk seasoning on chicken or fish, serve with rice and peas cooked in coconut milk, and a side of fried plantains.
• Comfort Food: Make ackee and saltfish with callaloo on the side for a delicious Caribbean breakfast or dinner.
• Family Meals: Use pigeon peas, rice, and coconut milk to make a one-pot rice dish that pairs well with grilled meats.
• Vegetarian Options: Fry or boil cassava or breadfruit as starchy sides, and use scotch bonnet peppers to add heat to soups and bean stews.
• Special Occasions: Cook curry goat with Caribbean curry powder, allspice, and fresh herbs for a dish that brings the whole family together.

Looking for easy meal ideas? Don’t miss our blog on the Top 5 Caribbean Dishes You Can Make in Under 30 Minutes—each recipe uses these essentials to create quick, flavorful meals.

Why Shop at Joe African Caribbean Market?

At Joe African Caribbean Market, we bring quality and fresh Caribbean groceries closer to you in Canada. From fresh plantains and callaloo to jerk seasoning and palm oil, you’ll always find fresh, high-quality products at affordable prices. Plus, with nationwide delivery, Caribbean cooking is just one click away.

Caribbean cooking is all about celebrating flavor, culture, and family. By keeping these 15 essentials stocked in your kitchen, you’ll always be ready to prepare meals that are quick, comforting, and authentic.

Shop Caribbean cooking essentials online at Joe African Caribbean Market today and bring the flavors of the islands to your Canadian home.