Jamaican Jerk Ground Beef & Plantain Skewers Are the Viral Recipe Worth Making
If you’ve been scrolling social media lately, you’ve probably seen these Jamaican Jerk Ground Beef & Plantain Skewers everywhere. Made popular by creators Amanda (@amandaap_fit) and Trea (@trea_cooks), this recipe takes simple, budget-friendly ground beef and transforms it into something packed with bold Caribbean flavor.
I knew I had to try my own version, and let me tell you, it absolutely lives up to the hype.
The combination of sweet caramelized ripe plantains, juicy jerk-seasoned beef meatballs, a drizzle of honey, and a creamy sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce creates the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, savory, and spicy in every bite. They’re incredibly easy to make, perfect for weeknight dinners, cookouts, meal prep, or serving as a fun party appetizer.
If you love Jamaican flavors but want something approachable using everyday grocery store ingredients, these skewers deserve a spot on your menu.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and spicy flavor in every bite
- Made with affordable ground beef
- Easy enough for weeknights
- Perfect for parties, BBQs, and game day
- Bakes entirely in the oven
- Ready in about 40 minutes
The Secret to Perfect Plantains
The sweeter your plantains, the better.
Look for plantains with skins that are mostly black. While they may look overripe, that’s exactly what you want. As plantains ripen, their natural sugars develop, allowing them to caramelize beautifully when browned before baking.
Don’t skip this step, it makes all the difference.
Bold Caribbean Flavor Made Simple
The meatballs are loaded with flavor thanks to a combination of pantry staples and authentic Jamaican jerk seasoning and green seasoning.
Adobo seasoning builds the savory base while smoked paprika adds warmth and color. Green seasoning brings fresh herbs and aromatics, Maggie liquid seasoning (or soy sauce) adds umami, and Walkerswood Hot & Spicy Jerk Seasoning delivers that unmistakable jerk flavor with just the right amount of heat. A little honey balances everything out and helps the meatballs caramelize beautifully in the oven.
The result is tender, juicy meatballs bursting with Caribbean-inspired flavor.
The Creamy Sweet & Spicy Sauce
While the skewers bake, you’ll stir together one of the easiest dipping sauces ever.
I used sweet and sour sauce, fresh lime juice, and spicy mayo for the perfect creamy, tangy finish. If you have sweet chili sauce on hand instead, it works just as well and adds a little extra sweetness.
Every bite dipped into this sauce is absolutely addictive.
Tips for Success
- Use very ripe black plantains for maximum sweetness.
- Brown the plantains before skewering so they don’t fall apart while baking.
- Don’t overmix the beef mixture to keep the meatballs tender.
- Use metal skewers for even cooking.
- Place the skewers on a wire rack over a sheet pan so the heat circulates around the meatballs for even browning.
- Finish with a drizzle of honey immediately after baking for the perfect glossy finish.
Jamaican Jerk Ground Beef & Plantain Skewers Recipe
Ingredients
For the Plantains
- 2 very ripe plantains (mostly black), peeled and sliced into half inch rounds
- Vegetable oil
- Smoked paprika and salt to taste
For the Meatballs
- 1 pounds 80/20 ground beef
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican Choice Green Seasoning (or homemade green seasoning)
- 1 tablespoon Maggie Liquid Seasoning (or soy sauce)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Walkerswood Hot & Spicy Jerk Seasoning + more if you like it spicier
Yum Yum Sauce
- ½ cup sweet and sour sauce (or sweet chili sauce)
- ¼ cup spicy mayo
- Juice of ½ lime
For Finishing
- Honey, for drizzling
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Jamaican Jerk Ground Beef & Plantain Skewers
Ingredients
For the Meatballs
- 1 pound 80/20 ground beef
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose adobo seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon Jamaican Choice Green Seasoning, or homemade green seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Maggie Liquid Seasoning, or soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon Walkerswood Hot & Spicy Jerk Seasoning, plus more if you like it spicier
- Salt to taste
For Plaintains
- 2 over ripe plantains , cut into 1/2 inch rounds
- Smoked paprika to taste
- Salt to taste
- Vegetable oil , for frying
For the Yum Yum Sauce
- ½ cup sweet and sour sauce, or sweet chili sauce
- ¼ cup spicy mayo
- Juice of ½ lime
For Finishing
- Honey, for drizzling
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat with vegetable oil. Add the sliced ripe plantains and cook for 2–3 minutes per side until lightly caramelized. Remove from the pan and let cool slightly.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place a wire cooling rack on top of a large baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper or foil to collect the drippings.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, adobo seasoning, smoked paprika, green seasoning, Maggie Liquid Seasoning, olive oil, honey, and Walkerswood Hot & Spicy Jerk Seasoning adding salt to taste. Mix gently with your hands until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat.
- Roll the mixture into small meatballs, about 1½ tablespoons each.
- Thread the caramelized plantain slices and meatballs onto metal skewers, alternating between each.
- Arrange the skewers on the prepared wire rack, leaving a little space between each skewer so the heat can circulate evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes on the middle rack, or until the meatballs are cooked through and lightly browned, rotating the pan half way through for even cooking.
- While the skewers bake, whisk together the sweet and sour sauce (or sweet chili sauce), spicy mayo, and fresh lime juice until smooth and creamy.
- Remove the skewers from the oven and immediately drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve warm with the yum yum sauce for dipping.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
These Jamaican Jerk Ground Beef & Plantain Skewers are one of those recipes that actually deserve every bit of the attention it’s getting. They’re sweet, smoky, spicy, juicy, and incredibly satisfying, all while using simple ingredients you can easily find at the grocery store.
Feel free to use any ground meat of choice such as chicken, turkey or even lamb!
Whether you’re making them for dinner, serving them at your next cookout, or simply looking for a new way to enjoy ground beef, this recipe delivers bold Caribbean flavor in every single bite.
