Green Bananas with Garlic and Onions: A Simple, Flavorful Caribbean Side Dish

If you love Caribbean comfort food that’s easy, hearty, and full of bold flavor, this Green Bananas with Garlic and Onions dish deserves a spot on your table. It’s a humble island favorite — tender boiled green bananas sautéed with fragrant garlic, onions, and a drizzle of olive oil for a light, savory finish.

This dish is a perfect example of how simple ingredients can shine when cooked with love and the right Caribbean touch.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s budget-friendly and uses everyday ingredients.
• It’s naturally gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free.
• It can be served as a side dish for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
• It’s an easy way to elevate boiled green bananas with rich, aromatic flavor.

Ingredients & Tools You’ll Need

Ingredients

• Green Bananas
  Firm, unripe bananas that hold their shape beautifully when boiled. Their mild flavor makes the perfect base for garlic, onions, and herbs. Choose bright green ones with no yellow spots — that means they’re still starchy and ideal for savory dishes.
• Olive Oil (or Coconut Oil)
  Used for sautéing the onions and garlic. Olive oil keeps it light, while coconut oil adds a warm Caribbean aroma. Either works deliciously.
• Onion
  A sliced onion brings sweetness and depth. As it caramelizes, it creates the savory backbone of the dish.
• Garlic Cloves
  Fresh garlic is a must. Chopped or minced, it gives the bananas a bold, aromatic flavor that ties everything together.
• Salt & Black Pepper
  Simple seasoning that enhances the natural flavor of the bananas and aromatics. Adjust to your taste.
• Lemon Juice or Vinegar (optional)
  A few drops brighten the dish and help balance the starchiness of the bananas.
• Fresh Herbs (Parsley or Thyme)
  A sprinkle at the end adds freshness and a pop of color. Thyme gives it a classic Caribbean touch.

Tools

• Large Saucepan or Stock Pot
  Needed to boil the green bananas. A bigger pot prevents overcrowding and ensures even cooking.
• Cutting Board
  For safely trimming, scoring, and peeling the bananas, and prepping your herbs and aromatics.
• Sharp Knife
  Essential for scoring the banana peel and slicing the onion and garlic cleanly.
• Slotted Spoon
  Helps remove the bananas from boiling water safely and without breaking them.
• Skillet or Sauté Pan
  Used to sauté the onions and garlic and toss the cooked bananas until they’re coated with flavor.
• Colander (optional)
  Helpful for draining the boiled bananas quickly and easily.

How to Prep Green Bananas

Before you start cooking, make sure your green bananas are prepped the right way — it makes all the difference in texture, flavor, and ease of handling. Green bananas release a sticky sap and have a firm peel, so proper prep is key.

Here’s what to do:

• Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt or sap residue.
• Trim just the tip and the base — no need to cut off too much.
• Lightly score the skin lengthwise so the peel loosens once cooked.
• Rub your hands with a little oil or wear gloves to avoid staining from the sap.
• Boil them with the skin on for the best color, texture, and flavor.

If you’re new to cooking green bananas or want step-by-step photos and extra tips, follow my full guide here:
How to Cook and Prep Green Bananas (Step-by-Step): https://www.caribbeangreenliving.com/green-bananas-hidden-caribbean-staple/

Serving Suggestions

In the Caribbean, this simple dish is often served alongside salted codfish in tomato sauce, smoked herring, or fried plantains. It’s also delicious paired with a side of avocado slices or pickled vegetables for a refreshing contrast.

For a heartier meal, top it with sautéed garlic shrimp or serve it next to rice and beans.

Tips for Perfect Green Bananas with Garlic and Onions

• Always boil with the skin on to prevent the bananas from falling apart.
• For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Noubess Garlic and Herbs Seasoning (a great shortcut!).
• Want extra flavor? Add a splash of Caribbean-style pepper sauce at the end.
• Use ripe but firm green bananas — too soft, and they’ll lose shape in the skillet.

Green Bananas with Garlic and Onions

This simple Caribbean side dish brings together tender boiled green bananas and a savory mix of sautéed garlic and onions. Light, flavorful, and naturally gluten-free, it’s a comforting island classic that pairs beautifully with fish, chicken, legumes, or Creole-style dishes. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this recipe transforms humble green bananas into a delicious, wholesome plate of home-cooked goodness.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine Caribbean, Haitian Cuisine

Servings 6

Calories 940 kcal

Equipment

• Large Saucepan or Stock Pot
• Cutting Board
• Sharp Knife
• Slotted Spoon
• Skillet or Sauté Pan
• Colander (optional)

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Ingredients

  

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• 6 green bananas washed and ends trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil for extra island flavor
• 1 medium onion thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves finely chopped
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• A few drops of lemon juice or vinegar optional, for brightness
• Fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for garnish

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Instructions

 

Boil the Green Bananas

• Fill a large pot with water and add a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.
• Add the bananas (with skin on and both ends cut) and boil for about 15–20 minutes, until tender but not mushy.
• Drain and let cool slightly, then peel and slice them into thick rounds or lengthwise halves.

Sauté the Garlic and Onions

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the sliced onions and cook until soft and lightly golden.
• Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant — don’t let it burn!

Combine and Season

• Add the sliced green bananas to the skillet.
• Toss gently to coat them with the onion and garlic mixture.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, and drizzle with a few drops of lemon juice or vinegar if desired.

Serve and Enjoy

• Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme.
• Serve warm as a side dish with fried fish, roasted chicken, or Creole-style legumes.

Notes

Serving Suggestions

In the Caribbean, this simple dish is often served alongside salted codfish in tomato sauce, smoked herring, or fried poultry, meat or other types of seafood. It’s also delicious paired with a side of avocado slices or pickled vegetables for a refreshing contrast.

For a heartier meal, top it with sautéed shrimp or serve it next to rice and beans.

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Tips for Perfect Green Bananas with Garlic and Onions

• Always boil with the skin on to prevent the bananas from falling apart.
• For a little kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or Noubess Garlic and Herbs Seasoning (a great shortcut!).
• Want extra flavor? Add a splash of Caribbean-style pepper sauce at the end.
• Use ripe but firm green bananas — too soft, and they’ll loose shape in the skillet.

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Recipe Notes

This recipe is a modern twist on a traditional Haitian-style side dish often made on weekends or for family gatherings. The garlic and onions add depth while keeping the dish light and wholesome — proof that you don’t need fancy ingredients to make a meal shine.

Nutrition

Calories: 940kcalCarbohydrates: 176gProtein: 10gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gSodium: 14mgPotassium: 2744mgFiber: 21gSugar: 91gVitamin A: 456IUVitamin C: 73mgCalcium: 83mgIron: 2mg

Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.

Keyword 30 minutes meals, boiled green bananas

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Nutrition info is automatically generated and provided as a courtesy and as an estimate only.

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Corn Allergy:

Always choose ingredients without corn or corn derivatives.