Jamaican Stew Peas

Name: Jamaican Stew Peas
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Jamaican
Ingredients: 2 cups dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight; 1 lb stewing beef, cubed; 2 cups coconut milk; 6 cups water; 4 sprigs fresh thyme; 1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole; 4 whole allspice berries; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 scallions, chopped; 1 cup flour (for spinners/dumplings); Salt and black pepper to taste

⏱ Prep Time 2 hours

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

A rich, thick Jamaican stew made with red kidney beans, coconut milk, spinners (flour dumplings), and stewed beef, seasoned with allspice and Scotch bonnet.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 18.8g

Carbs 30.9g

Fat 17.2g

Protein Carbs Fat

Ingredients

2 cups dried red kidney beans, soaked overnight
1 lb stewing beef, cubed
2 cups coconut milk
6 cups water
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 Scotch bonnet pepper, whole
4 whole allspice berries
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 scallions, chopped
1 cup flour (for spinners/dumplings)
Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

1
Drain the soaked kidney beans and place them in a large pot with 6 cups of water, bring to a rapid boil for 10 minutes (to neutralize toxins), then reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
2
Add the cubed beef, thyme, whole Scotch bonnet pepper, allspice berries, garlic, and scallions to the pot, continuing to simmer for another 30 minutes until the beef begins to tender.
3
Make the spinners by mixing flour with water and a pinch of salt to form a stiff dough, then pinch off small pieces and roll them between your palms into thin, elongated dumplings.
4
Add the spinners and coconut milk to the pot, stir gently, and continue cooking for 20 to 25 minutes until the spinners are cooked through and the stew is thick and creamy.
5
Remove the whole Scotch bonnet pepper, season with salt and pepper, and serve hot over white rice as a hearty and filling meal.

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Did You Know?

Stew peas is a quintessential Jamaican Saturday dinner and has its roots in West African bean stews, with the coconut milk addition reflecting the Caribbean adaptation of African cooking traditions.