How to Cook Like a Local: Traditional Dominican Recipes You Can Try at Home

Published on January 23, 2025

Dominica’s cuisine is a flavorful blend of African, French, and Indigenous influences, reflecting the island’s rich history and deep connection to the land. Every meal tells a story, passed down through generations, using fresh, local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.

For those who want to experience Dominica from their own kitchen, learning to cook like a local is a great way to do it. Whether you’re craving hearty stews, savory seafood, or tropical side dishes, these recipes bring the taste of the Nature Island straight to your table.

From Callaloo Soup to Green Fig and Saltfish, we’ll guide you through some of the most beloved Dominican dishes, ensuring that you get authentic flavors and a true taste of island life.

The Essence of Dominican Cooking

Cooking in Dominica is all about fresh, natural ingredients, bold spices, and simple techniques that allow the flavors to shine. Most traditional recipes use locally grown root vegetables, fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and aromatic herbs.

Farmers’ markets are at the heart of Dominican cuisine, where locals gather to buy dasheen, plantains, breadfruit, yams, and seasonings like thyme, garlic, and scotch bonnet peppers. Many dishes are slow-cooked to enhance their depth of flavor, while others are quickly fried for crispy textures and rich taste.

To cook like a local, it’s essential to embrace fresh ingredients, use bold seasonings, and prepare meals with care and tradition. Let’s explore some of the most iconic Dominican recipes you can try at home.

Callaloo Soup: A Taste of the Caribbean

Callaloo is a rich, nutritious soup made from dasheen leaves, often compared to spinach. This dish is a staple in many Caribbean islands, but in Dominica, it is made with coconut milk, spices, and smoked meats or seafood for added flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh dasheen leaves (or spinach as a substitute)
• 1 cup chopped pumpkin
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole (for flavor, remove before serving)
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 cup smoked meat or crab (optional)
• 4 cups water
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, melt the butter and sauté the onions and garlic until fragrant.
2. Add the pumpkin and dasheen leaves, stirring until they begin to soften.
3. Pour in the coconut milk and water, then add the thyme, scotch bonnet pepper, and smoked meat.
4. Cover and let the soup simmer for 30-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Once the pumpkin is tender, remove the scotch bonnet pepper and blend the soup until creamy (optional).
6. Season with salt and black pepper before serving.

This rich, creamy dish is best enjoyed with a side of dumplings or crusty bread, bringing warmth and comfort with every spoonful.

Green Fig and Saltfish: A Classic Dominican Dish

Despite the name, Green Fig and Saltfish contains no actual figs. In Dominica, green bananas are called "figs", and when paired with salted cod, they create one of the island’s most famous dishes.

Ingredients:

• 6 green bananas (unripe plantains or green bananas)
• 1/2 pound salted cod (saltfish), soaked overnight
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Peel the green bananas by cutting off the ends and making a shallow slit along the peel. Boil them in salted water for 15-20 minutes, then drain and set aside.
2. In a separate pot, boil the salted cod for 10 minutes, drain, and flake into small pieces.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan and sauté the onions, garlic, and bell pepper until soft.
4. Add the salted cod, thyme, and scotch bonnet pepper, stirring well.
5. Serve the saltfish mixture over the boiled green bananas, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.

This savory dish is a favorite for breakfast or dinner, offering a perfect balance of salty, sweet, and spicy flavors.

Bakes and Codfish: A Delicious Street Food Favorite

Bakes, also known as "Johnny cakes", are fried dough rounds that are soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. They are often paired with saltfish or cheese, making them a perfect on-the-go snack.

Ingredients for Bakes:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
2. Add butter and rub into the flour mixture until crumbly.
3. Gradually add water, mixing until a smooth dough forms. Let it rest for 15 minutes.
4. Divide the dough into small balls, then flatten them slightly.
5. Heat oil in a pan and fry each bake until golden brown, flipping once.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve warm with saltfish or cheese.

Dominicans enjoy bakes any time of the day, often with hot cocoa or bush tea.

Sancoche: A Hearty Dominican Stew

Sancoche is a rich, filling one-pot stew packed with meat, provisions, and dumplings. It’s a dish that brings families together, enjoyed during weekends and celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound chicken or beef, cut into pieces
• 1/2 pound yam, dasheen, or sweet potato, diced
• 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole
• 1 can coconut milk
• 4 cups water or broth
• 1 cup flour (for dumplings)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the meat in a large pot, then add onions, garlic, and thyme.
2. Pour in coconut milk and broth, then add the root vegetables and carrots.
3. Let simmer for 45 minutes, adding dumplings in the last 10 minutes.
4. Remove the scotch bonnet before serving.

This flavorful stew is best enjoyed with a side of bread or rice, making it one of the most comforting dishes in Dominican cuisine.

Bring the Taste of Dominica to Your Kitchen!

Cooking Dominican food is more than just preparing a meal—it’s about embracing culture, history, and tradition. These recipes bring the warmth of the island to your table, allowing you to experience Dominica’s rich culinary heritage no matter where you are.

Want to learn more about Dominica’s food, culture, and traditions? We offer authentic culinary tours, market visits, and hands-on cooking experiences to immerse you in the island’s flavors.

Call or WhatsApp us at (767) 277-1316 to book your Dominican food adventure today!