25 Easy Tropical-Inspired Recipes That'll Have You Living On "Island Time"
These are basically an edible vacation.
"Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take ya..." Oops, sorry! We can't help but get carried away with visions of sandy beaches, frozen cocktails with the little umbrellas, and island breezes enjoyed from a hammock dancing in our heads. Short of taking some vacation time, bringing a tropical vibe into the kitchen all year round is always a great vibe though, right? Right. So we thought we'd round up all 25 of our favorite tropical food and drink recipes (featuring all things with coconut, pineapple, and mango) so you can always stay on "island time" (even if you're at home.)
While you might think of "tropical" as a certain small region or country, the tropics themselves are pretty vast. As in, the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn-level vast. So while we can't cover quite that much ground here, there are some distinct tropical influences (and local produce) that often scream "tropical," especially from the U.S. where there's plenty of cuisine to enjoy from the nearby tropical nations of the Caribbean as well as the island state of Hawaii. Think: Jamaican jerk shrimp in pineapple bowls, Hawaiian chicken skewers, and our Caribbean Cobb salad with salmon. Don't those sound like the kinds of dishes you'd dream about long after a tropical vacation? We think so! But we think the best part might be not having to go through airport security to eat them (this time at least).
Of course, we couldn't leave out our favorite tropically-minded drinks and desserts either. Our recipes for piña coladas and pineapple coconut cake are our all-time stand-bys, but why stop there? Try our Bahama mama cupcakes with our bikini bellinis next to truly make you feel like you're on vacation.
Caribbean Cobb Salad With Salmon
If you’re in the mood to eat the rainbow, this Caribbean-inspired Cobb salad is the place to start. A bit brighter than the traditional Cobb salad, this version combines fresh mango, creamy coconut dressing, crushed plantain chips, and spiced salmon to create a punchy, spicy, filling meal.
Get the Caribbean Cobb Salad With Salmon recipe.
Piña Coladas
When you have a creamy, cold, and refreshing piña colada in your hand, life truly becomes a beach. A classic summer drink, this tropical vibe in a glass is easy enough to order out at a bar, but when you want the perfect combination of sweetness, creaminess, and slush factor, making it at home is tops.
Get the Piña Coladas recipe.
Shrimp Mango Salad
This quick and easy shrimp salad is pleasantly crunchy and loaded with fresh ingredients—just what we crave when we want something satisfying that won’t weigh us down. With a bright, savory dressing inspired by our miso ginger dressing, this might be our new favorite way to get in our serving of veggies.
Get the Shrimp Mango Salad recipe.
Coconut Cheesecake Bars
A must for coconut lovers, this dessert has everything you love about cheesecake bars, plus the dreaminess of creamy, nutty coconut. Think piña coladas or coconut cream pie in a layered dessert that’s easier to make and to share (perfect for potlucks, parties, and more).
Get the Coconut Cheesecake Bars recipe.
Bahama Mama Cupcakes
Based on the classic summery cocktail made with multiple rums and tropical juices, these cupcakes are the next best thing to taking yourself on a tropical beach vacation. 😎
Get the Bahama Mama Cupcakes recipe.
Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls
This bowl has marinated shrimp, sweet bell peppers, and a sweet and spicy glaze that will make you want to lick your plate clean. Plus it only takes 45-minute, and is a total one-pan winner!
Get the Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls recipe.
Mango Salsa
This salsa has the perfect balance of flavors. Serve it with homemade tortilla chips for an incredible salty, sweet, and spicy snack.
Get the Mango Salsa recipe.
Coconut-Pineapple Spritz
Craving a tropical vacation? This summer cocktail is for you. No matter the time of year, one sip of this coconut and pineapple spritz will transform your mindset right to a tropical beach or beautiful sunny day, making this the perfect cocktail for any season. Warm up a winter day or slip further into the summer vibe—we'll sip on this all year long.
Get the Coconut-Pineapple Spritz recipe.
Hawaiian Chicken Skewers
Say aloha to your new favorite BBQ skewers. Don't have a grill? No worries, a grill pan will help you char these up right in your kitchen.
Get the Hawaiian Chicken Skewers recipe.
Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp
By now, we all know the magic of the air fryer. It can turn practically anything into a crispy dream in no time, and this coconut shrimp recipe is no exception. Ready in under 30 minutes, this seafood dish can be a perfect last-minute appetizer for any upcoming party, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Get the Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Pineapple Coconut Cake
This fluffy coconut cake is filled with an easy pineapple curd (like a tropical lemon curd!) and finished with a cream cheese frosting and toasted coconut flakes. We love the bigger, unsweetened flakes, but if you prefer sweetened coconut for the outside, it works just as well.
Get the Pineapple Coconut Cake recipe.
Spicy Mango Whipped Goat Cheese
We love cranberry whipped feta so much that we won’t rest until we figure out every possible combination of flavorful fruit jam and creamy whipped cheese. Next up is this spicy mango whipped goat cheese. If you love the OG version, then you’ll be obsessed with this variation that has fluffy garlic and basil-studded whipped goat cheese, spicy mango chutney, and salty chopped cashews. Whip this up when you have a few friends over for movie night or when you need an easy appetizer to contribute to your next office potluck.
Get the Spicy Mango Whipped Goat Cheese recipe.
Dole Whip Smoothie Bowl
Imagine a whirlwind of frozen fruits, a symphony of coconut notes, and the creaminess of coconut milk dancing together in perfect harmony. This refreshing blend, starring frozen bananas, mangoes, and pineapples, serves up a tropical celebration fit for the most adventurous little eaters.
Get the Dole Whip Smoothie Bowl recipe.
Coconut-Lime Layer Cake
Put the lime in the coconut and bake this stunning layer cake! One of the reasons this cake is SO fun to eat is that it’s not about blasting every component with all the lime and all the coconut flavor, but instead letting each part of the cake bring something to the party.
Get the Coconut-Lime Layer Cake recipe.
Pineapple BBQ Meatballs
These pineapple BBQ meatballs are juicy, tender, and glazed to perfection in a sauce made with sweet pineapple chunks. Serve them as a quick and easy dinner, or stick a toothpick in each meatball for a crowd-pleasing make-ahead tropical appetizer.
Get the Pineapple BBQ Meatballs recipe.
Sex On The Beach Cocktail
A Sex On The Beach is a drink that rose to popularity in the 1980s, and it’s no wonder why—peachy, tart, and citrusy, it’s the perfect summer cocktail. Most well-known for its provocative name, this classic drink is also one of the best ways to bring tropical vibes to your warm weather celebrations.
Get the Sex On The Beach Cocktail recipe.
Huli-Huli Chicken
Originating in Hawaii, this chicken recipe is really all about the sauce. In this case, the sauce includes pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and (stay with us) ketchup. That all makes for an insanely delicious base, and plenty of garlic and ginger bring some acidity and brightness to this easy, tropical chicken dinner.
Get the Huli-Huli Chicken recipe.
Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls
This vegan recipe is a bit of a culinary road trip through some Jamaican staples: sweet plantains, aromatic rice and peas, and tofu in a jerk marinade. To add a touch of crunch, acidity, and color, we top it all off with a simple red cabbage and carrot slaw that is just as delicious on its own as it is in the bowls (make extra and put it on everything).
Get the Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls recipe.
Watermelon Feta Skewers
Watermelon + feta is one of our favorite combinations of all time — especially during the summer time. You can go classic and toss all of your ingredients in a bowl à la watermelon feta salad, but if you’re looking for an adorable party app, these skewers are the next best thing. Simply layer watermelon, tangy feta, red onion, cucumber and basil on your skewers, then drizzle with a balsamic glaze to top it all off.
Get the Watermelon Feta Skewers recipe.
Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Mango Salsa
Perhaps pork chops are part of your regular rotation, but you're sick of pairing them with apples or potatoes. Fear not: These honey-glazed pork chops with mango salsa are here to shake things up with a flavor explosion.
Get the Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Mango Salsa recipe.
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