Jamaican cornmeal porridge — a creamy, coconut-rich breakfast bowl warmly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice, and sweetened with condensed milk. Cosy comfort.
Jamaican cornmeal porridge is a warm, creamy hug in a bowl — silky cornmeal cooked with coconut milk and a fragrant blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice. Sweetened with condensed milk, it's a beloved Caribbean breakfast that's both nourishing and indulgent. It'll keep you full and happy right through the morning.
Prep 5 min
Cook 25 min
Total 30 min
Easy
- 4 cups Water
- 380g Coconut Milk
- 1 cup Fine Yellow Cornmeal
- 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp Ground Allspice
- 1/2 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
Video
Preparation
- Add 2½ cups water and the coconut milk to a 4-quart heavy-bottomed pot and bring to the boil over medium-high heat.
- Meanwhile, whisk the cornmeal with 1½ cups water in a large mixing cup until smooth.
- Once the pot boils, whisk in the cornmeal mixture and keep whisking for about 1 minute to avoid lumps, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid.
- Cook over low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally. With about 5 minutes left, stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice.
- Remove from the heat and sweeten with the condensed milk, then serve.
Tips from the ZestyPlate Kitchen
- Whisk the cornmeal with cold water before adding it to the pot to prevent lumps.
- Keep whisking for the first minute after it goes in, then cook low and slow for a smooth, creamy porridge.
- Add the spices towards the end so their aroma stays bright.
- Adjust the thickness with extra liquid — it thickens as it cooks and again as it cools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mix the cornmeal with cold water until smooth before adding it to the boiling liquid, then whisk constantly for the first minute or so.
Yes — reduce or leave out the condensed milk and sweeten to taste with a little sugar, honey or extra coconut milk.
Cornmeal porridge thickens as it sits. Loosen it with a splash of warm water, milk or coconut milk and stir until creamy.
Yes — use all coconut milk and sweeten with sugar, condensed coconut milk or maple syrup instead of dairy condensed milk.
