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As the holiday season approaches, finding the perfect gift for your foodie friend can be a delightful challenge. One excellent option to consider is a selection of Caribbean cookbooks. These books offer a window into the vibrant flavors and rich culinary traditions of the Caribbean. With so many recipes to choose from, these cookbooks not only provide authentic recipes but also tell stories that reflect the diverse cultures within the Caribbean, making them more than just a collection of dishes.
Belly Full: Exploring Caribbean Cuisine through 11 Fundamental Ingredients and over 100 Recipes [A Cookbook] by Lesley Enston (Trinidad and Tobago)
Across the English-speaking Caribbean, โme belly fullโ reflects not just a satisfied stomach but a nourished heart and soul. In Belly Full, Trinidadian food writer Lesley Enston explores the shared histories and cuisines of the Caribbean through 11 staple ingredients shaped by colonialism and the Atlantic Slave Trade. Featuring gluten-free, plant-based recipes like Jamaicaโs Ackee and Saltfish, Haitiโs Pen Mayi, and Puerto Ricoโs Mofongo, this beautifully photographed book celebrates the regionโs rich culinary heritage.
Bodega Bakes: Recipes for Sweets and Treats Inspired by My Corner Store – A Baking Cookbook by Paola Velez (Dominican Republic)
Bodega Bakes is Paola Velezโs joyful debut cookbook celebrating her Dominican heritage and Bronx roots. Inspired by the flavors of corner stores, it transforms childhood favorites into over 100 irresistible recipes, from Maria Cookie Icebox Cake to Guava and Cheese Turnovers. A James Beardโnominated chef and cofounder of Bakers Against Racism, Paola combines classical training with accessible techniques, making vibrant Caribbean desserts and American classics like Thickโems cookies easy for bakers of all levelsโBYO bodega cat!
Colorful Home Cooking: 120+ Music-Infused, Plant-Based Recipes to Heal Your Body & Feed Your Soul (One Great Vegan) byย ย Gabrielle Reyesย & Ace Andersonย ย (Haiti)
Colorful Home Cookingย by Gabrielle Reyes, The Singing Vegan Chef, combines over 120 plant-based recipes with the magic of music. This joyful cookbook features a variety of dishes, from energizing breakfasts to sweet treats, along with tips on alkaline foods and intermittent fasting. QR codes link to Gabrielleโs original musical recipe videos, turning your kitchen into a fun, interactive space. With vibrant photography and personal stories, Gabrielle makes healthy eating accessible, fun, and full of flavor for everyone.
Sian’s Kitchen: Caribbean Comfort Cooking Kindle Edition by Sian Anderson (Jamaica + St. Lucia)
Sianโs Kitchen by BBC Radio 1Xtra broadcaster, DJ, and restaurateur Sian Anderson is a vibrant celebration of Black British identity with Jamaican and St Lucian roots. Featuring 80 modern Caribbean recipes like Oxtail Stew, Jerk Lamb, and Ackee Fried Rice, the cookbook blends food, culture, and entertainment. With interviews from Big Zuu and Big Narstie, plus curated playlists for every chapter, this love letter to Caribbean cuisine invites you to enjoy comforting, flavorful dishes and great company.
The Dominican Kitchen: Homestyle Recipes That Celebrate the Flavors, Traditions, and Culture of the Dominican Republic by Vanessa Mota (Dominican Republic)
In The Dominican Kitchen, Vanessa Mota, creator of My Dominican Kitchen, shares 80 comforting recipes inspired by Dominican comida criolla. Influenced by Taรญno, African, European, Middle Eastern, and Chinese flavors, dishes like Sancocho, Chimi Burgers, and Flan de Coco are made easy with step-by-step instructions, vibrant photos, and pantry tips.
Mad Love: Big Flavors Made to Share, from South Asia to the West IndiesโA Cookbook by Devan Rajkumar (Guyana)
In Mad Love, Chef Devan Rajkumar, born in Toronto to a Guyanese household, blends his Caribbean roots and South Asian ancestry into over 100 inventive recipes. Inspired by his global culinary experiences, Chef Dev reimagines East and West Indian dishes like Guyanese Pepperpot with Plait Bread, Saffron Kheer, and Spiced Pecan Pie. His modern, relaxed approach celebrates cooking as a way to bring people and cultures together, creating flavorful meals that come straight from the heart.
Buy: Hardcover
Island Vegan: 75 Flavorful Recipes from the Caribbean: Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, Dominican Republic & More by Lloyd Rose (Jamaica)
Experience the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean with plant-powered dishes that celebrate the regionโs rich culture without compromising on authenticity. From Pulled Jerk BBQ Sliders and Loaded Dal Puri Roti to Salt Phish, Haitian Lรฉgume, and Piรฑa Colada Ice Cream, these meals nourish both body and soul. Complete with staple sauces like Green Seasoning, Jerk Marinade, and Pikliz, Lloydโs creative, wholesome island cooking is perfect for vegans and veggie lovers alike.
Caribbean Paleo: 75 Wholesome Dishes Celebrating Tropical Cuisine and Culture Kindle Edition by Althea Brown (Guyana)
Take a flavorful journey to the Caribbean with Althea Brownโs gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo-friendly recipes inspired by her Guyanese roots and the bold cuisines of Jamaica, Trinidad, and beyond. Featuring wholesome dishes like Jerk Chicken Under a Brick, Brown Stew Fish, Salt Fish Cakes, and Coconut Sweet Bread, Althea swaps traditional ingredients for nutrient-dense options like cassava, squash, and cauliflower rice. Perfect for reconnecting with family roots or recreating Caribbean favorites, this collection brings authentic island flavors to your kitchen.
The Multi-Cultural Cuisine of Trinidad & Tobago & the Caribbean by Naparima Girls’ School (Trinidad and Tobago)
This collection showcases the rich flavors and cultural heritage of Trinidad and Tobagoโs diverse ethnic groups. Featuring over 500 recipesโCreole, East Indian, Chinese, Spanish, English, Syrian-Lebanese, and other Caribbean influencesโmany have been passed down through generations, remaining true to tradition. Complete with 32 vibrant photographs and alternative ingredient options, this comprehensive guide celebrates the islandโs culinary diversity, offering an authentic taste of Trinidad and Tobagoโs timeless cuisine.
Code Noir: Afro-Caribbean Stories and Recipes by Lelani Lewis (Grenada)
Code Noir is a cookbook rich in history and flavor. Chef and culinary activist Lelani Lewis explores her Caribbean roots, inspired by the legacy of enslaved Africans in the French colonies. Featuring classics like jerk chicken, salted cod fritters, and pepperpot stew, alongside inventive dishes like plantain with peanut-lime salsa and sweet potato gratin with ginger cream, Lelani celebrates Caribbean ingredientsโcassava, coconut, lime, and chiliesโwhile honoring the culture and resilience behind the cuisine.
Buy: Hardcover
GATHER: 100 Seasonal Recipes that Bring People Together by Chris Viaud (Haiti)
GATHER by Chef Chris Viaud celebrates food as a universal language that connects people, creates lasting memories, and fosters community. Featuring 100 seasonal recipes, the cookbook offers bold family-style entrees, appetizers, unique cocktails, and elegant desserts. With stunning photography, helpful tips, and techniques, it reflects Viaudโs James Beard-nominated approach to cooking. Perfect for food lovers, hosts, or anyone who enjoys entertaining, GATHER is an ideal gift for holidays, housewarmings, and special occasions, bringing people together through food.
Dominica Gourmet: A Unique Spin on Traditional Dominican Cuisineย byย Mayma Raphaelย (Dominica)
This book features traditional Dominican recipes like โbraff,โ callaloo soup, and chaudeau, along with elevated twists and new creations. Author Mayma Raphael celebrates local ingredients and shares unique techniques to authentically showcase Dominican flavors. Through her personal food stories, she bridges her roots with a modern vision of Dominican cuisine.
Buy: Hardcover
The Pepperpot Diaries: Stories From My caribbean Table by Andi Oliver (St. Kitts and Nevis + Antigua and Barbuda)
The Pepperpot Diaries is Andi Oliverโs highly anticipated debut cookbook, offering a blend of traditional and contemporary Caribbean recipes. Through vibrant flavors and cherished ingredients, Andi invites readers on a personal journey exploring identity, heritage, and culture. From Antigua to the Caribbean, she reflects on the past, present, and future of Caribbean cooking, sharing dishes that connect her to her roots. This book is a celebration of food, history, and the cultural influences shaping Caribbean cuisine.
Modern Cuban: A Contemporary Approach to Classic Recipes by Ana Quincoces and Gloria Estefan (Cuba)
In Modern Cuban, Ana Quincoces reimagines traditional Cuban recipes for todayโs home chefs, blending timeless flavors with modern accessibility. From fragrant sofrito and tangy mojo criollo to yuca frita, pastelitos, and flan de coco, this cookbook offers something for everyone, with adjustments for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and keto diets. Featuring stunning photography and personal family stories, Modern Cuban celebrates Cuban cuisineโs rich heritage while making it simple for cooks of all levels to enjoy.
Tan Rosie Simply Vegan Caribbean Cookbook by Karie-Ann Lee Sylvester and Monica Cudjoe (Grenada)
Tan Rosie Simply Vegan Caribbean Cookbook is the perfect companion to create tasty Caribbean inspired vegan dishes all will enjoy. The book features a handy veggie info section taking you through the core Caribbean ingredients used throughout the book which are easy to find in all supermarkets. The book helps you to understand how to cook and prepare Caribbean ingredients you may not have tried before and how to incorporate them into simple tasty dishes.
Buy: E-book
Black Rican Vegan: Fire Plant-Based Recipes from a Bronx Kitchen by Lyana Blount (Puerto Rico)
In Black Rican Vegan, Lyana Blount shares her passion for plant-based cooking, inspired by her Puerto Rican and Black roots. After going vegan, Lyana reimagined her familyโs recipes, creating vibrant, flavorful dishes featured in her popular NYC pop-up. This collection includes 60 soul-satisfying recipes like Mofonguitos con Vegan Camarones, Holiday Vernil, Moxtails, and Bronx Fried Oyster Mushrooms. With ingenious plant-based swaps, Lyana proves that food is loveโand vegan meals can be irresistibly delicious.
Motherland: A Jamaican Cookbook by Melissa Thompson (Jamaica)
In this captivating cookbook, acclaimed food writer Melissa Thompson delves into 500 years of Jamaican culinary history and cultural influences. Featuring 80 recipes, including Jerk Pork, Ackee & Saltfish, and Peanut Punch, the book celebrates Jamaicaโs vibrant flavors and abundant natural ingredients. Thompson explores the contributions of the Taino, African enslaved people, and Indian and Chinese indentured workers, weaving these stories into the recipes. This is both a historical journey and a celebration of Jamaicaโs diverse gastronomy.
Buy: Hardcover, E-book
Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook by Illyanna Maisonet (Puerto Rico)
In Diasporican, Illyanna Maisonet preserves Puerto Rican foodways through over 90 recipes inspired by her family and the islandโs rich culinary traditions. From Tostones and Arroz con Gandules to Rabbit Fricassee with Chayote, she traces the influences of Taino, Spanish, African, and U.S. cultures. With stunning photography, Diasporican explores how geography, migration, and colonization shaped Puerto Rican cuisine, celebrating the ingenuity and diversity of its people while connecting food to family and history.
Plentiful: Vegan Jamaican Recipes to Repeat by Denai Moore (Jamaica)
Plentiful is a groundbreaking Jamaican cookbook with a vegan twist by chef Denai Moore. Honoring her Jamaican roots, Denai reimagines authentic dishes with modern flair, offering recipes like Rice & Peas Arancini and โOxtailโ Gravy with Roasted Garlic Spring Onion Mash. Challenging misconceptions about Jamaican cuisine being overly spicy and meat-heavy, Denai celebrates its vibrant, diverse flavors through approachable and delicious plant-based recipes that showcase the true essence of Jamaican food in an exciting new way.
The Belizean Cookbook You Need: 65 Easy Caribbean Dishes by Barbara McNab Grinage (Belize)
Whether youโre a seasoned chef or a curious home cook, this cookbook makes Belizean cuisine accessible and enjoyable. With clear, step-by-step instructions and vibrant visuals, youโll be guided through recreating the countryโs culinary magic. From sizzling street food to flavorful seafood dishes, discover beloved classics like Rice and Beans, Stew Chicken, spicy Escabeche, and Garnaches. This cookbook is your ticket to exploring the rich, flavorful wonders of Belizeโs gastronomy.
Buy: Hardcover
The Easy Puerto Rican Cookbook: 100 Classic Recipes Made Simple by Tony Rican (Puerto Rico)
Bring the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rico to your kitchen with The Easy Puerto Rican Cookbook. Featuring 100 simplified recipes, this cookbook lets you create classic dishes with ease. Enjoy quick meals ready in 30 minutes, five-ingredient recipes, one-pot wonders, and slow-cooker favorites. Learn to make staples like Mojo Criollo and Chicharrรณn de Cerdo from scratch, using wholesome ingredients. Complete with pantry tips, itโs the perfect guide to authentic, flavorful Puerto Rican cuisine at home.
Natural Flava: Quick & Easy Plant-Based Caribbean Recipes by Craig and Shaun McAnuff (Jamaica)
Caribbean cuisine is renowned for its bold flavors, fresh produce, and vibrant vegan options. Rooted in Jamaican Rastafarian culture, the Ital diet emphasizes clean, natural, and unprocessed foods, reflecting unity with nature. Craig and Shaun McAnuff, authors of Original Flava, now celebrate plant-based Caribbean cooking in Natural Flava. Packed with Ital-inspired recipes, this cookbook highlights the richness of Caribbean fruits, vegetables, and spices, offering delicious, wholesome meals that promote health and embrace the essence of togetherness.
Abuela’s Plant-Based Kitchen: Vegan Cuisine Inspired by Latin & Caribbean Family Recipes by Karla Salinari (Puerto Rico)
Abuelaโs Plant-Based Kitchen bridges generations with 75 wholesome, plant-based recipes inspired by Karla Salinariโs Puerto Rican roots and vegetarian upbringing. This cookbook reimagines traditional Latin and Caribbean dishes using high-quality, plant-based ingredients like tempeh, tofu, and chickpea water, making them approachable for all. From garbanzo stew with plantain balls to flan de coco, Salinari pairs delicious recipes with personal stories and tips, proving that healthy, nostalgic cooking can be flavorful and satisfying for everyone.
Pressha It: Quick and Flavorful Caribbean Recipes for Your Instant Pot Byย Renz | ThisBagoGirl (Trinidad and Tobago)
Pressha Itย is the ultimate guide to quick, mouth-watering Caribbean dishes using your electric pressure cooker. This ebook delivers bold, authentic flavors in less time, with recipes for savory stews, tender meats, flavorful beans, and rich coconut curries. Whether youโre a beginner or pro with your Instant Pot, these easy, step-by-step recipes will bring the taste of the Caribbean to your table fast. Perfect for busy weeknights or family dinnersโget ready to โpressha itโ and enjoy island flavors in no time!
Buy: Website