Is there any better way to kick start the day than with a warm, hearty breakfast? Not in my book! And if you wake up wanting something a bit sweet like I do, this Jamaican porridge is perfect for combating those early morning cravings. It’s filling, just sweet enough, and super energizing. ⚡ Plus, it’s oh-so-cozy! When blessed with much-needed rain here in Southern California, all I want to do is cozy up with a bowl of this cornmeal porridge and watch as the rain falls in crazy, chaotic drops – slowly savoring one spoonful at a time. Secretly, I want it to go on for days on end, but alas, every good thing must come to an end. What does it taste like? The texture is an incredible cross between traditional porridge and grits. Flavor-wise, it has sweetness, the warmth from the cinnamon and nutmeg, and that lovely “corn” flavor from the cornmeal itself. 🌽
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
Cook the Porridge
Liquids – Add about two cups of water and two cups of coconut milk to a large, heavy saucepan. Toss in half a cinnamon stick and bring everything to a boil. (Photo 1) Cornmeal – Gradually whisk in the cornmeal a little at a time, and keep stirring with a wooden spoon to prevent any lumps. (Photo 2) Simmer – Next, reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened (about 15 minutes). (Photo 3)
Add Spices and Toppings
Flavoring – Add the vanilla extract, nutmeg, and sweetened condensed milk. (Photo 4) Adjust the porridge consistency with coconut milk or water if desired. Turn off the heat. Serve piping hot with extra nutmeg, sweeteners, nuts, and fruit.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can make this porridge a couple of days ahead of time. Just let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge. You can also store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat it, put it in a pan set to medium-low heat and stir until it warms up. This porridge tends to thicken in the fridge, so you may need to add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve Jamaican cornmeal porridge warm, topped with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg and some fresh fruit. Keep leftover porridge in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days and reheat as noted above. It will last in the freezer for 4-5 months.
What Goes With Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
Make a fancy breakfast by serving bowls of Jamaican cornmeal porridge with other fun breakfast foods like sausage rolls and egg muffins. Serve it with an assortment of nuts and fresh, dried, and grilled fruits, like grilled apples, to make it the star of the show. You might also want to make a steamy chai latte to drink. The warm spices are the perfect way to wash down the cozy porridge. 😊
More Jammin’ Jamaican Recipes to Try
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”4QfxWt6z” upload-date=”2019-04-01T07:24:57.000Z” name=”Cornmeal Porridge” description=”Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge – Tired of the same oatmeal for breakfast? Mix it up and try this warming cornmeal porridge instead! Infused with Caribbean spices and coconut milk for a complete warm and comforting breakfast.”] This blog post was originally published in January 2017 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
