Cassava Dumplings (Gluten-Free Option)

Cassava dumplings are a beloved Caribbean comfort food, offering a firm yet slightly chewy texture with a subtle sweetness and earthy depth from the cassava. The addition of green seasoning infuses a gentle herbaceous flavor, making these dumplings even more delicious. Perfect for soaking up stews and curries, they are a satisfying and versatile side dish.

A Mother’s Inspiration

This recipe is close to my heart, inspired by my mother’s knack for bringing new life to traditional dishes. Her influence has shaped many of the recipes on this site and continues to fuel my passion for Caribbean cooking.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Unique Texture & Flavor: The cassava adds a soft chewiness with a hint of natural sweetness, balanced by the savory touch of green seasoning.
• Versatile Pairing: Enjoy with stewed fish, curry fish, or any rich, flavorful meat or vegetable dish.
• Enhanced Flavor Variations: Add coconut milk or more green seasoning to elevate the taste.

Ingredients You Will Need

• All Purpose Flour: Gives the dumplings a firm yet tender, chewy texture.
• Grated Cassava: Adds a subtly sweet and earthy flavor with a dense, satisfying bite.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors in the dumpling.
• Brown Sugar: Contributes a slight sweetness to balance the savoriness. Can be omitted for sugar free diets.
• Green Seasoning: Brings a fresh, aromatic depth with a blend of herbs and spices.

Flavor Profile

These cassava dumplings are dense yet tender, with a slight chewiness that holds up well in hearty sauces. The cassava imparts a mild, earthy sweetness, while the green seasoning provides a subtle herbal freshness. Together, they create a well-balanced, deeply satisfying bite.

Variations

• Green Seasoning Boost: For even more flavor, add an extra teaspoon of green seasoning to the dough or boiling water.
• Coconut-Infused Dumplings: Replace some of the boiling water with coconut milk for a richer taste.
• Gluten-Free Flour: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free substitute. I have also tested this recipe with equal parts gluten-free flour and grated cassava successfully.

Serving Suggestions

Cassava dumplings are best enjoyed with:

• Stewed Fish (as seen above) – A comforting, flavorful combination.
• Vegan Spinach Dishes – A lighter but still satisfying pairing. My mom loves it with bhaji–try these recipes–Trinidad Bhaji, Jamaican Callaloo, Chorai Bhaji, or Trinidad Callaloo.
• Simple Coconut Curry Fish, Curry Fish with Mango- Fry Method – Perfect for soaking up rich curry sauces.
• Ackee and Saltfish
• Tomatoes and Saltfish
• Smoked Herring and Tomatoes
• Curry Conchs
• Stewed Meats: Stewed Beef, Stewed Chicken, Stewed Lamb, Stewed Pork
• Other Vegan / Vegetarian Sides: Mom’s Stewed Red Beans, Stewed Lentils

Cassava Dumplings Recipe (Gluten-Free Option)

These Caribbean cassava dumplings are firm yet tender, with a subtle sweetness from the cassava and a fresh, herbaceous touch from green seasoning. They pair beautifully with stews, curries, and seafood dishes. For added richness, try cooking them in coconut milk.

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Course: dinner, lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine: Caribbean, Trinidadian

Keyword: cassava dumplings

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 5

Calories: 405kcal

Ingredients

• 1 lb all purpose flour
• 1 cup finely grated cassava about 10 oz
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp green seasoning
• Water as needed

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Instructions

• Mix the Dough: In a bowl, combine flour, grated cassava, salt, brown sugar, and green seasoning. Gradually add water, kneading until a soft dough forms.
• Boil Water: In a medium pot, add water and salt, then bring to a rolling boil.
• Shape the Dumplings: Break off small pieces of dough and form into logs or the traditional “cattle tongue” shape.
• Cook the Dumplings: Drop into boiling water and let cook for 15-20 minutes or until firm yet tender.
• Serve & Enjoy: Drain and serve hot with your favorite stew or curry.

Nutrition

Calories: 405kcal | Carbohydrates: 87g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 939mg | Potassium: 213mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 9IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 4mg

Need More Dumpling Recipes?

Check out these amazing family-tested and approved recipes!

Flour Dumplings – Fish Broth, Stewed Beef and Dumplings, Family Chicken Soup, Corn Soup with Dumplings, Dhal & Dumpling Soup

Cornmeal Dumplings-—Steamed Salmon and Cornmeal Dumplings

More Cassava Recipes You Will Love: Click Here

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