Jamaican Stew Peas

This cozy Jamaican stew is a delectable mix of red beans, meat, and special dumplings called spinners. Cook it all up in an aromatic coconut milk broth with Jamaican spices for a hearty island stew!

Course Main

Cuisine Caribbean

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Total Time 1 20

Servings

Calories 673kcal

Author Imma

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (30ml) canola oil or more
1½ pounds (680g) meat (stew beef, smoked turkey, oxtails, pork tails)
½ onion, diced
2-3 green onions or scallions
1 scotch bonnet pepper
2-3 teaspoons (6-9g) minced garlic
2 teaspoons (4g) allspice
2 teaspoons (2g) fresh thyme
1½ teaspoons (3g) smoked paprika
1 large bay leaf
4 cups (700g) cooked kidney beans or two or three 15-ounce cans, rinsed and drained
2 cups (470ml) coconut milk
3 cups (710ml) chicken broth or more (vegetable broth works, too)
salt and white pepper to taste

Jamaican dumplings (Spinners)

1 cup (120g) flour
4 tablespoons (60ml) coconut milk or water (enough to form a soft dough)
¾-1 teaspoons (6g) garlic salt or plain salt

Instructions

Season stew beef with salt and pepper to thoroughly cover all sides.
Heat the oil in an oven-safe Dutch oven over medium heat. Add stew beef and turkey sauté (or choice of meat), and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until the beef is slightly browned.
Add onions, green onions, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, paprika, and allspice and sauté for 3-5 minutes.
Pour in coconut milk, broth, and beans, bring to a boil, and let it simmer for 40 minutes or more, depending on your choice of protein. If using a tough cut of meat, you may want to cook it before adding the beans.
While the stew is simmering, make the spinners by combining water, flour, and garlic salt in a medium bowl. Knead the dough between 30 seconds and a minute to form a soft dough.
Divide the dough into 10-14 equal pieces.
Shape the pieces by rolling them with your hands into a log—somewhat like a sausage. Repeat the process until finished. Set aside.
About 15 minutes before the stew is ready, gently drop the dumplings into the pot – add more water or coconut milk if needed.
Let it cook until tender—15-20 minutes.
Adjust seasonings with salt and pepper, and serve piping hot.

Notes

If you use a tough cut of meat, let it cook until tender before you add the kidney beans.
The scotch bonnet added whole won't make the dish as spicy. It simply adds some nice flavor. Just make sure it isn't bruised or damaged before adding it to the stew, use caution when stirring, and take it out along with the bay leaves before serving.
If you do want your Jamaican stew peas extra spicy, cut up the pepper and saute it with the onion and garlic instead of dropping it in whole.
Please remember that the nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary significantly based on the products used in the recipe.

Nutrition