Jamaican stew peas – This cozy Jamaican stew is made using red beans, meat and is cooked in aromatic coconut milk broth with Jamaican spices and spinners. A hearty Island stew!
Despite the name, this stew does not contain peas at all. It actually has kidney beans, which are called red peas in Jamaica. You can start by cooking them from scratch, which would take you some time or just go with canned beans.
One recurring ingredient in Jamaican stew peas is salted pigtail often available in Latin and Caribbean Markets. Yes, I must admit it does adds some fatty goodness and distinct flavor to the stew peas.
However, I switched it out in place of smoked turkey – it’s readily available in most American supermarkets and adds another layer of flavor with it’s smoky beef note — plus it’s healthier.
Okay Folks! If tradition is what you are after and you want that truly authentic flavor – then by all means GO FOR IT!
I’m sticking with smoked turkey.
Oh, another great substitute would be ham hocks, and/or oxtail. Or just use beef. Whatever works for you.
Spinners are a great addition to stew peas – you just can’t make stew peas without them.
What are spinners? Tasty little Jamaican dumplings -helps thicken the stew and makes it more substantial.
This stew begins with browning the beef and turkey to add some flavor, then followed by an aromatic base of onions, thyme, allspice, and garlic. Their natural sugars caramelize and kick start all that shines about the stew.
The red peas follow and are joined by the coconut milk and other additions.
As for the spinners, they are so easy to make. The long, gently tapered dumplings are a combination of flour, salt, and water. This mixture is formed into dough then rolled into dumplings. Once dropped in the simmering broth, they cook and you have dense dumplings that hold up to the bulk of the stew.
Once everything is combined, the stew simmers until all the ingredients meld beautifully together.
To put it simply, Jamaican stew peas with spinners is the epitome of comfort food. The stew is outstanding and the spinners make it all the more tempting.
Enjoy!!!!
NOTES!
- It’s best to use the “fresh” coconut milk for this recipe. If using the canned variety use about 1/2 and 1/2 – 1 cup coconut canned coconut milk and 1 cup water to equate 2 cups coconut milk.
Jamaican Red Stewed Peas
Ingredients
- 2- tablespoon canola oil or more
- 1-1/2 pound meat smoked turkey, beef, oxtails, pig's tail
- ½ onion diced
- 2-3 green onions Scallions
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper
- 2-3 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons allspice
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 large bay leaf
- 4 cups cooked kidney beans or 2-3 15oz. cans rinse and drained
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 3 cups broth or more chicken or vegetarian
- Salt and white pepper to taste
Jamaican dumplings (Spinners)
- 1 Cup flour
- 4 Tablespoons coconut milk/water or enough to form a soft dough.
- ¾-1 teaspoons garlic salt or salt
Instructions
- Season stew beef with salt and pepper to thoroughly cover all sides
- Heat the oil an oven safe Dutch oven pan over medium heat. Add stew beef and turkey sauté, about 2 -3 minutes per side, until beef slightly browns up.
- Add onions, green onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, paprika, and allspice and sauté for about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour in coconut milk, broth, and beans and bring to a boil and let it cook for about 40 minutes or more depending on your choice of protein. If using a tough cut of meat is preferable to cook first before adding the beans.
- While the stew is simmering make the spinners by combining water, flour and garlic salt in a medium bowl-knead dough for about 30 seconds to 1 minute to form soft dough.
- Divide dough into 10-14 equal pieces.
- Shape dough by rolling with your hands, as if you are making a log- somewhat like a sausage. Repeat the process until finish. Set aside
- About 15 minutes or more before stew is ready, gently drop dumplings into the pot – you may have to add more water or coconut milk if needed
- Let it cook until tender- about 15-20 minutes.
- Adjust seasonings salt and pepper
- Serve piping hot
June Casselman says
I love this recipe. I’m cooking it today for the fourth time. Thank you
Amina says
Sounds amazing, Thank you for your love!!! Try more recipes I am sure you would like them also.
Cilinna says
This was lovely !
imma africanbites says
Thank you, Cilinna!
Treacle369 says
My go to recipe! I cook it in the Crockpot. Delicious
Sharon says
I made and loved this recipe, it was very tasty
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks so much.
Josephine says
Would I be able to make this vegetarian? Would it still work?
MHall says
I have tried a similar variation with no meat just the beans and coconut milk with dumplings
Audrey says
I jove the stew it taste delicious
Imma Adamu says
Thank you, Audrey!
E Chin says
Just made this dish and it was DELICIOUS!
Thank you for sharing your take on a much loved Jamaican dish !
ImmaculateBites says
I am glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by!!
Annalise says
It irritates me to no end when people say its not the true Jamaican Way. There is no such thing when you have a vast amount of people. We all do not cook the same. I know people who use canned coconut milk to make rice and peas. Some people swear by the powder coconut milk mixture. People soak their peas or use the canned. Me personally I use coconut cream. And I soak my peas with garlic, thyme and seasoning salt. Boil it first too. My mom doesn’t boil it first.
Rant over now. Back to the recipe. How much ginger would you reccomend? I want to make one with and one without.
TerryAnn says
Totally agree!
Terry says
Totally agree!
Cc says
Do you have to cook the pigtails first?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, you do have to cook until tender , then and drain water first before adding it in.
UGUSA says
I made this dish for my Ugandan husband and one of our friends from Burkina Faso and it was AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I love that people from all over the world can come together over a great meal. This will be my “safe” dish to try out on my in-laws!
imma africanbites says
Very well said, hon. And it’s great how we most of us are gathered for the love of good food. Happy weekend! 🙂
UGUSA says
I made this dish for my Ugandan husband and one of our friends from Burkina Faso and it was AMAZING! Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I love that people from all over the world can come together over a great meal. This will be my “safe” dish to try out on my in-laws!
Jodi says
I just found this recipe on Pinterest and I can’t wait to give it a go. My husband smokes a lot of meats and this sounds like a great way to use up the leftovers and make a completely new and tasty dish. Can you tell me how spicy it is with the Scotch Bonnet pepper? I like a little heat but not too much.
I can’t wait to explore your blog even more! Thanks!
imma africanbites says
Hi, Jodi. It isn’t that spicy, although that would depend on your heat tolerance. But do let me know how it turns out for you.
Dorina Sturza says
I love Jamaican food and I will cooking tumorow
Thanks for the recipes
ImmaculateBites says
The pleasure is mine, Dorina 🙂 . Do let me know how it turns out for you.