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25 Easy Tropical-Inspired Recipes That'll Have You Living On "Island Time"

These are basically an edible vacation.

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jerk marinated and grilled shrimp tossed with fresh pineapple and sweet bell pepper served over ice in a hollowed pineapple bowl
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

"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.

1

Caribbean Cobb Salad With Salmon

caribbean cobb salad
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR-ANN SPENCER

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.

2

Piña Coladas

frozen pina colada cocktail with dark rum garnished with a maraschino cherry and pineapple wedge
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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3

Shrimp Mango Salad

shrimp mango salad
PHOTO: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: TYNA HOANG

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.

4

Coconut Cheesecake Bars

coconut cheesecake bars with coconut on top
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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5

Bahama Mama Cupcakes

bahama mama cupcakes
Parker Feierbach

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.

6

Jerk Shrimp & Pineapple Bowls

jerk marinated and grilled shrimp tossed with fresh pineapple and sweet bell pepper served over ice in a hollowed pineapple bowl
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE

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.

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7

Mango Salsa

chopped mango, tomatoes, avocado, and jalapeno
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

8

Coconut-Pineapple Spritz

coconut pineapple spritz with a pineapple wedge and pineapple leaf garnish
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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9

Hawaiian Chicken Skewers

hawaiian chicken skewers
Andrew bui

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.

10

Air Fryer Coconut Shrimp

air fryer coconut shrimp
Parker Feierbach

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.

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11

Pineapple Coconut Cake

pineapple coconut cake
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

12

Spicy Mango Whipped Goat Cheese

fluffy garlic and basil studded whipped goat cheese, spicy mango chutney, and salty chopped cashews served with pita chips
PHOTO: ROCKY LUTEN; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

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.

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13

Dole Whip Smoothie Bowl

pineapple dole whip smoothie bowl in a blue bowl topped with pineapple, banana, blackberries, cherries, and toasted coconut flakes
PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

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.

14

Coconut-Lime Layer Cake

a layered coconut cake filled with lime curd and covered with toasted coconut
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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15

Pineapple BBQ Meatballs

saucy bbq meatballs with pineapple chunks
PHOTO: LUCY SCHAEFFER; FOOD STYLING: TAYLOR ANN SPENCER

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.

16

Sex On The Beach Cocktail

ombre sex on the beach cocktail in a glass garnished with a maraschino cherry, a paper umbrella, and an orange slice
PHOTO: KATE JORDAN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

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17

Huli-Huli Chicken

huli huli chicken
Parker feierbach

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.

18

Jerk Tofu Grain Bowls

jerk grain bowl

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.

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19

Watermelon Feta Skewers

skewers with watermelon, feta, cucumber, basil, and red onion drizzled with a balsamic glaze
PHOTO: RACHEL VANNI; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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.

20

Honey-Glazed Pork Chops with Mango Salsa

honey glazed pork chops with mango salsa
PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: MAKINZE GORE

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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