5 Must Try Guyanese Foods

If you’re new to Guyanese cuisine and don’t know where to start, begin with these five must try foods. From Guyanese staples like Pepperpot to Chinese fusions like Guyanese Style Chicken Chow Mein, the country offers a range of delicious foods to please any palate.

Guyanese Food

Guyana has some of the best food in the world! And I’m not just saying that as someone who was born there! The country is a melting pot with a culture that’s deeply influenced by a range of ethnic groups. There are Indigenous tribes; people who are descendants of enslaved Africans; Indians whose ancestors came to Guyana as indentured laborers; Chinese; Portuguese; British; Dutch, as well as influences from the Caribbean region. All show up in the culture, traditions, and cuisine.

So whenever someone asks about Guyana, I immediately start talking about the food. For those who emigrate, it’s important to maintain the culture by learning the recipes and traditions. I am so happy to share some of my favorites with you.

Why You’ll Love These Guyanese Foods

• Easy Recipes: One of the best things about Guyanese cooking is how straightforward the recipes are. We use simple ingredients for maximum flavor. Here we have the convenience of one-pot cook-up rice and bake and saltfish is perfect for beginners.
• Caribbean Comfort Food: Most Guyanese dishes are hearty with warm spices. Pepperpot is a rich dish, with super tender meat. The coconut milk in cook-up rice adds a creamy texture with tropical flavor. Warm, flavorful, and filling are key elements in every meal.
• Delicious Fusion: You’ll love the diversity of the cuisine. Growing up, I was most familiar with Indo-Guyanese. But as I mentioned, many cultures influence the food. That’s how we end up with Indian-inspired curries and our own variations of Chinese classics like chow mein.

Must Try Guyanese Recipes

Wondering which dishes best represent the cuisine of Guyana? The Guyanese foods included in this list don’t encompass all of what Guyana has to offer but it’s a great introduction!

Common Guyanese Seasonings

If you’re wondering what classifies a dish as Guyanese food, it’s the spices and seasonings. You can find at least one of these elements in each of the recipes listed above.

• Green Seasoning: This vibrant herb blend is the foundation for many recipes. It includes scallions, onions, cloves, and cilantro. You can use it as a marinade, to punch up a stew or add fresh notes to any dish. You can find three variations in my cookbook Caribbean Paleo and I also include the ingredients in individual recipes.
• Cassareep: Cassareep is made from the juices of bitter cassava root. You boil it down to a thick syrup and add spices for a sweet, savory, tangy flavor. It adds color to a dish but also acts as a natural preservative. It’s how pepperpot can sit out for hours without going bad.
• Wiri Wiri Peppers: These small peppers are native to Guyana. They have a median Scoville Heat Unit of 225,000, so the heat level is comparable to habanero peppers and scotch bonnet peppers. Dice them up to add spice to any dish. Or use add them whole to impart fruity, smoky notes.
• Curry Powder: Curry represents the Indian influence on Guyanese culture. Guyanese curry usually includes cumin, turmeric, and coriander. Use it for chicken, goat, shrimp, or veggies.

Frequently Asked Questions