This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Green banana dumplings are grated unripe bananas formed into dumplings and then boiled to soft, plump, chewy perfection. These Jamaican-style dumplings are made with 4 simple ingredients for an easy side dish.
If you love green bananas, I have more delicious recipes! Try my Boiled Green Banana and Green Banana Porridge next.
Table of Contents
- Green Banana Dumplings
- Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- What can I do with unripe bananas?
- How to Peel Green Bananas
- Ingredients
- How to Make Green Banana Boiled Dumpling
- Serving Suggestions
- Tips
- Storage & Reheating Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Interested in more Delicious Recipes? Check These Out!
- Jamaican Green Banana Boiled Dumpling Recipe
Green Banana Dumplings
When you grow up in a Jamaican household, learning how to make “dumplin” is a birthright! Thanks to my mother, Carribean-style dumplings are a delicious comfort food that I can’t get enough of. Green banana boiled dumplings are made just like classic Jamaican Boiled Dumplings but the dough is infused with subtly sweet green bananas.
Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Unique: I love traditional dumplings but if you’re a bit bored with flour or cornmeal dumplings, this is a tasty departure.
- Versatile: Add these dumplings to soup, or use them as a side dish to a savoury protein. For a meatless meal, serve it with ground provision.
- Easy: Made with just 4 simple ingredients, this recipe requires just 15 minutes of hands-on prep.
What can I do with unripe bananas?
Unripe bananas, also known as green bananas, are a versatile fruit. They’re not as sweet as yellow bananas and contain more starch.
Peel and boil them for a nutritious snack or side dish. Mash them up for a creamy porridge. Or grate them to make green banana dumplings.
How to Peel Green Bananas
Green bananas typically have thick skin. Use a knife to trim and slightly cut the banana peel for easier removal with your hands.
Prevent the peel from staining your hands by rubbing them with cooking oil before handling. You can also soak the green bananas in water after peeling them, so they oxidize slower.
Ingredients
- All Purpose Flour: This is the primary binding agent and adds density to the dumplings. Use this or another flour of your choice.
- Green Bananas: Add this to flour for flavour, moisture and a starchy texture. They have a more savoury taste than regular bananas.
- Water: This hydrates the dough. You may need more or less depending on the quality of your bananas so adjust as needed.
- Salt: Add this to taste. You can also omit it if you prefer and just salt the boiling water. It depends on your preference.
How to Make Green Banana Boiled Dumpling
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Wash then peel the green bananas and grate them using a grater.
- In a mixing bowl, add the grated green banana to the flour and salt. Gradually add water to the flour and banana mixture. Using your hands, mix then knead well to form a dough. Start with about 1 cup of water and adjust as needed to achieve a well combined, slightly sticky dough.
- Pinch or cut off your preferred size dumpling pieces. In the palm of your hand using a circular motion, form each piece into a ball, flatten slightly, and fold the edges of the dough into the center. Set each dumpling aside.
- Carefully place the dumplings into the boiling water and boil for 20-25 minutes or until they start to float. Remove dumplings from the water using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate. Serve hot and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
- Brown Stew Chicken: The rich, savoury, caramelized chicken is a saucy complement to the neutral flavour of the dumplings.
- Salt Mackerel: This popular Jamaican breakfast would benefit from a side of green banana dumplings.
- Hard Food: Want a hearty vegan meal? Serve them with ground provision like eddoes, cassava and sweet potatoes.
- Soups: Instead of spinners, add these dumplings to Mannish Water (Goat Soup). It would also taste great in Gungo Peas Soup.
- Steam Callaloo: Up the nutrition factor by serving them with leafy greens.
Tips
- If the dumplings are too soft, add more flour. If they get too dry, add more water.
- Don’t aim for super smooth dumplings. The texture of the bananas makes that nearly impossible to achieve.
- Place enough water in the pot for the dumplings to be completely submerged.
- Occasionally stir the dumplings so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot.
- The colour of green banana boiled dumplings can range from greyish to brownish. It’s totally natural and part of the oxidizing process.
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Once your dumplings have cooled down to room temperature, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I prefer not to freeze them because it compromises the texture.
To reheat leftovers, add them to a pot of boiling water for about 5 minutes or until they are heated through. Steam them for even better results!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Green bananas are unripe bananas. The fruit is firm, starchy and not as sweet as ripe bananas.
Boil green banana dumplings for about 25 minutes or until they begin to float.
Green bananas are the unripe form of common bananas so they soften and sweeten as they mature. They also have a higher moisture content and less starch than green plantains. Green plantains are larger, with thicker skin, and remain starchy, even as they ripen.
Interested in more Delicious Recipes? Check These Out!
- Jamaican Boiled Dumplings
- Pork & Chinese Cabbage Dumplings
- Jamaican Fried Dumpling
- Boiled Green Banana
- Jamaican Breakfast Ideas
- Green Banana Porridge
- Jamaican Saltfish Fritters
- Homemade Plantain Chips 3-Ways
- Jamaican Banana Fritters
If you try this Green Banana Boiled Dumpling recipe, we’d greatly appreciate if you leave us a star ★ rating, as well as some feedback in the comment section below if you found this blog post helpful and tasty!
Also, please use the hashtag #theseasonedskillet on social media for a chance to be featured, and don’t forget to keep up with TSS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest!
Lastly, sign up to our Friday weekly newsletter for the latest TSS updates, blog posts and recipes straight to your inbox.
Oh, and share, share, share with your family and friends!
Jamaican Green Banana Boiled Dumpling
Equipment
- Grater To grate the green bananas.
- Mixing Bowl For combining the dough.
- Stock Pot For boiling the dumpling.
- Slotted Spoon To remove the cooked dumplings from the boiling water
Ingredients
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour, or flour of choice
- 5 Green Bananas, grated, (about 1 1/4 cup when grated)
- 1 1/4 cups Water, adjust as needed
- 1 – 1 1/2 tsp Salt, or add to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Wash then peel the green bananas and grate them using a grater.
- In a mixing bowl, add the grated green banana to the flour and salt. Gradually add water to the flour and banana mixture. Using your hands, mix then knead well to form a dough. Start with about 1 cup of water and adjust as needed to achieve a well combined, slightly sticky dough.
- Pinch or cut off your preferred size dumpling pieces. In the palm of your hand using a circular motion, form each piece into a ball, flatten slightly, and fold the edges of the dough into the center. Set each dumpling aside.
- Carefully place the dumplings into the boiling water and boil for 20-25 minutes or until they start to float. Remove dumplings from the water using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate. Serve hot and enjoy!
