Flavors That Unite Us: Latino-African and Caribbean Culinary Traditions – Jollof Rice

At the heart of global gastronomy are the seasonings and spices that have traveled across continents and generations, creating bridges between Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America. Products like Goya’s Adobo, Goya Seasoning, and Sazón Goya are not just brands—they are guardians of ancient traditions that beautifully fuse ancestral African flavors with the culinary richness of the Caribbean and Latin America.

These seasonings tell stories of resilience, adaptation, and creativity. Each spice blend carries the legacy of generations who knew how to transform simple ingredients into flavor explosions that celebrate cultural connections across the diaspora.

🍛 Recipe: Caribbean-Latino Jollof Rice

A perfect fusion between traditional African Jollof and Caribbean flavors

Ingredients:

Base:

• 2 cups long-grain rice
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, cut in strips
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Goya Seasonings:

• 2 tsp Goya Adobo All-Purpose Seasoning
• ½ packet Sazón Goya with Coriander & Annatto
• ½ tsp Goya Complete Seasoning
• Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 bay leaf
• Black pepper to taste (taste before adding salt – these seasonings contain salt)

Protein (optional):

• 1 lb chicken, cut into pieces
• ½ lb shrimp
• 3 oz Spanish chorizo, sliced

To serve:

• Fried sweet plantains
• Sliced avocado
• Fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions:

Step 1: Build the Aromatic Base In a large pot or caldero, heat oil over medium heat. Sauté onion until translucent (5 min). Add garlic and cook 1 more minute until fragrant.

Step 2: Layer the Flavors Add bell pepper and cook for 3 minutes. Incorporate crushed tomatoes and cook until slightly reduced (5 min). This is where the magic happens—add our signature Goya seasonings:

• Goya Adobo All-Purpose Seasoning
• Sazón Goya with Coriander & Annatto (start with half packet)
• Goya Complete Seasoning
• Bay leaf and a pinch of cayenne

Mix well and cook for 2 minutes to release the essential oils from the spices. Taste and adjust – you can always add more seasoning, but you can’t take it out!

Step 3: Add Rice and Proteins If using chicken, add it now and cook until golden (8 min). Add rice and stir so each grain gets coated with the spice mixture. Add chorizo if using.

Step 4: Perfect Cooking Pour in hot broth, taste and adjust seasoning (remember these Goya seasonings are well-salted), and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 18-20 minutes without lifting the lid. In the last 5 minutes, add shrimp if using.

Step 5: Rest and Serve Remove from heat and let rest 10 minutes covered. Remove bay leaf, fluff with a fork, and serve alongside fried sweet plantains, avocado, and fresh cilantro.

🌟 Why We Bring You This Recipe

This Caribbean-Latino Jollof Rice is more than food—it’s a celebration of cultural connections:

• Goya Adobo brings the perfect balance of garlic, oregano, and salt that defines Latino cooking
• Sazón Goya provides the golden color from annatto and the distinctive flavor of coriander
• Goya Complete Seasoning adds the complexity that connects kitchens across the diaspora
• The cooking technique honors the Jollof tradition, an emblematic dish from West Africa
• The accompaniments celebrate the tropical abundance of the Caribbean

Fun Facts:

🔸 Annatto (in Sazón Goya) was used by indigenous peoples as natural coloring and reached Africa through cultural exchange

🔸 The blend of garlic and oregano in Goya Adobo reflects the Spanish influence in Caribbean cooking

🔸 This fusion represents the creativity found across the African diaspora in the Caribbean and Latin America

🛒 Get Your Authentic Goya Products

Goya Adobo All-Purpose Seasoning – The perfect blend of garlic, oregano, salt, and spices that brings authentic Latino flavor to any dish.

Sazón Goya with Coriander & Annatto – Adds beautiful color and distinctive taste that makes every grain of rice golden and flavorful.

Goya Complete Seasoning – A versatile blend that captures the essence of Latino-Caribbean cooking in one bottle.

Share your version! How do you prepare these types of fusions? Tag us and show us how you celebrate these culinary traditions with #FlavorsThatUniteUs

Find all these authentic Goya products in our store, where we bring you flavors that celebrate the connections between cultures.