Jamaican Stew Peas
Jamaican Stew Peas Recipe is a delicious and perfect comfort food, that is made with red kidney beans, coconut milk, herbs & spices and spinners.
This Stew Peas Recipe can be made with meat or just vegetables with the beans.
In spite of the name Jamaican Stew Peas, it doesn't have any peas in it, but red kidney beans.
Jamaicans don't say the word beans, unless we are referring to baked beans, broad beans or butter beans.
Everything else is peas to us.
Originally, the beans (peas) are cooked from scratch, which takes some time or you can use canned beans to spend less time in the kitchen.
Altogether, I love stew peas, not because I am a Jamaican, but because beans add that hearty and fullness to a meal.
Yes, give me a good bean soup, which is kind of similar to stew peas and I will love you forever.
However, I hope you give this Jamaican Stew Peas Recipe a try and enjoy it just as much as I do.
What kind of meat to use?
In regards to the meat that's use to make Jamaican Stew Peas, pigs tail is the first choice.
However, besides pigs tail, I have used corned pork, beef, chicken foot, and turkey neck.
You can even use chicken or turkey wings.
I have also seen oxtail used to make stew peas too.
If you are a vegetarian/vegan, you can try this recipe without the meat, or just by adding veggie chunks or tofu.
Also, you can add some diced carrots and potatoes along with the Spinners, to make it more filling.
What are Spinners?
The Spinners (Dumplings) are one of the key ingredients in the Jamaican Stew Peas.
It helps to thicken the dish as it simmers.
Without the spinners, it wouldn't be Jamaican Stew Peas.
Pimento Seeds
Pimento seeds are a type of spice that can be found in Jamaica and in any other warm country.
It is also known as Allspice and it looks like black pepper berries.
It is used mostly on Pork, Chicken or Fish dishes and also in soups and stews.
They are picked when they are green and then dry in the sun on a piece of zinc sheet or a piece of cloth for a week or two.
I remember my uncle would spread out his pimento seeds to dry each day.
He would take them up as soon as the sun goes away in the evening or if the rain looks like it was going to fall.
After the pimento seeds are dried, he would bring them to the local market to be sold.
How to make Jamaican Stew Peas
Firstly, if you are using Corn Pork/Pigs Tail, boil the meat for some time in a separate pot, to get rid of all the salt. Then cook the red kidney beans (peas) in a separate pot. The Pig's tail I used wasn't the salty type, so I seasoned mine.
Secondly, I add some more water to the cooked Pig's tail and peas and then add the coconut milk, scallion, thyme, bell pepper and onions.
Thirdly, allow the mixture to come to a boil, then add the spinners.
Finally, allow to simmer on low and then add a stalk of scallion. Let it to thicken to your desire. Adjust if needed with salt and black pepper and then you are ready to enjoy this delicious comfort food.
My Amazon Selections:
365 by Whole Foods Market, Organic Red Kidney Beans, 16 Ounce
Jamaican Choice Allspice Whole Pimento Seasoning | 4.5 Oz
Happy Belly All Spice Ground, 2.5 ounce
Grace Classic Coconut Milk 13.5Fl Oz - Unsweetened Coconut Milk Canned
Jamaican Stew Peas Recipe
Ingredients
For the Jamaican Stew Peas:
- 1 to 2 lb pigs tail or stew beef, seasoned (if you choose to)
- 2 cups of dry red kidney beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 stalks of scallion (green onions), chopped
- 2 sprigs of thyme, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 10 pimento seeds, crushed or 1 teaspoon of allspice
- 8 cups of water
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Spinners (Recipe below)
For the Spinners (Dumplings)
- 1 cup of flour
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- Just about ⅓ cup of water
Instructions
To make Spinners (Dumplings)
- In a small bowl, add the flour and salt and whisk it. Add the water a little at a time and knead to form a smooth dough. Cover and Set aside for later to add to the Jamaican Stew Peas Recipe.
To make Jamaican Stew Peas
- Rinse the beans with some water and drain. Put the beans in a large pot/skillet with the garlic, pimento berries or allspice, pig's tail and 6 cups of water. Let it cook until both beans and meat are tender, just about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Add the onion, 2 stalks of scallion, thyme, bell pepper, 2 cups of water, can of milk and bring it to a boil.
- Break apart the dough into small pieces and roll between your palms, to make spinner (dumplings) and add to the pot. Add the scotch bonnet pepper or red pepper flakes and black pepper. Continue to stir the mixture, so the spinners won't stick to the bottom of the pot as it cooks.
- Allow to simmer on medium-low for about 40 minutes or until it thickens to your desire. Stir to make sure nothing is sticking at the bottom but be careful not to burst the scotch bonnet pepper.
- After about 30 minutes of cooking on medium-low, add the remaining 1 stalk of scallion (chopped) and stir. Turn the heat on semi-low.
- Taste and see if it's to your desire. If it is not to your desire, add some salt. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and thyme from the pot before serving. Best served with some white rice. Enjoy.
Notes:
- Not everyone use coconut milk in their Jamaican Stew Peas Recipe. I used it because of the flavor it gives and it helps to thicken the sauce. Others mix a small amount of flour with water and add to the liquid to thicken the sauce.
- Avoid bursting the scotch bonnet pepper while stirring.
- Please remove the thyme and scotch bonnet pepper before serving.
If you are looking for a healthier version, her is the Vegan Version to it.
Please let me know what you think about this recipe, Jamaican Stew Peas, in the comment section below.
Thanks for stopping by and please come back again.
Blessings and Love, as you carry on, on your YouNique Journey!
Jamaican Stew Peas
Jamaican Stew Peas is a delicious and perfect comfort food, that is made with red kidney beans, coconut milk, herbs & spices and spinners.
Ingredients
For Jamaican Stew Peas
- 1 to 2 lb pigs tail or stew beef, seasoned (if you choose to)
- 2 cups of dry red kidney beans
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 stalks of scallion (green onions), chopped
- 2 sprigs of thyme, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, chopped
- 10 pimento seeds, crushed or 1 teaspoon of allspice
- 8 cups of water
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper or ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
- Spinners (Recipe below)
For Spinners (Dumplings)
- 1 cup of flour
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- Just about ⅓ cup of water
Instructions
How to make Spinners (Dumpling)
- In a small bowl, add the flour and salt and whisk it. Add the water a little at a time and knead to form a smooth dough. Cover and Set aside for later to add to the Jamaican Stew Peas Recipe.
How to make Jamaican Stew Peas
- Rinse the beans with some water and drain. Put the beans in a large pot/skillet with the garlic, pimento berries or allspice, pig's tail and 6 cups of water. Let it cook until both beans and meat are tender, just about 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Add the onion, 2 stalks of scallion, thyme, bell pepper, 2 cups of water, can of milk and bring it to a boil.
- Break apart the dough into small pieces and roll between your palms, to make spinner (dumplings) and add to the pot. Add the scotch bonnet pepper or red pepper flakes and black pepper. Continue to stir the mixture, so the spinners won't stick to the bottom of the pot as it cooks.
- Allow to simmer on medium-low for about 40 minutes or until it thickens to your desire. Stir to make sure nothing is sticking at the bottom but be careful not to burst the scotch bonnet pepper.
- After about 30 minutes of cooking on medium-low, add the remaining 1 stalk of scallion (chopped) and stir. Turn the heat on semi-low.
- Taste and see if it's to your desire. If it is not to your desire, add some salt. Remove the scotch bonnet pepper and thyme from the pot before serving. Best served with some white rice. Enjoy.
Notes
- Not everyone use coconut milk in their Jamaican Stew Peas Recipe. I used it because of the flavor it gives and it helps to thicken the sauce. Others mix a small amount of flour with water and add to the liquid to thicken the sauce.
- Avoid bursting the scotch bonnet pepper while stirring.
- Please remove the scotch bonnet pepper and thyme before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 521Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 241mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 5gSugar: 2gProtein: 41g
The nutritional information that is provided, is computer generated and therefore it is an estimate. Please do your own research with the ingredients that are listed here, if you have any concern about any specific diet or your health.
Hi Yanique nice recipes, for this stew peas recipe, look at editing the Ingredients for the spinners.
Keep up the good cooking.
Hi Mark, Just saw the mistake that you are referring to...corrected it. Thank you so much. Appreciate it a lot.
Can I use canned beans for this recipe? If so, what modifications would I have to make?
Hi Sara, to be honest I have never used canned beans to make stew peas but that doesn't mean it can't be used. You can use 2 cans of beans to about 2 to 3 cups of liquid (coconut milk or water). Adjust the liquid to the thickness of your choice once you add the spinners. Please let me know how it turns out. Thank you.
I would like to try this. Can I be able to use a slow cooker to make this? Will this dish come out the same if I was to use a slow cooker
I love love love this recipe. Did it with both chicken and shrimp, and it was awesome??????
Hi Vanessa,
Thanks for giving it a try. That sounds delicious...Now I need to give it a try with the chicken and shrimp. Thanks for the idea.
great recipe!!! i use any meat kind in my stewpeas, its not stew meat??♂️ its stew peas?.also my scallion has to cut up small, i dont like the slim lookin string when cooked whole.after the meat(pressure from 10 to 30 min depends on meat) and peas(pressure for 25min) is tender, everything goes in the pot at the same time(cook for 45min on medium low...)
Hi Jerry,
I also use beef, chicken foot, turkey neck to make stew peas too. Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe Yanique! I love stew peas and am making it again now for myself, my Jamaican mother-in-law and daughter as my husband, who will usually devour any Jamaican dishes isn't a big fan of beans...more for me! I used some ham and red bell peppers I had on hand, and the house smells divine! Also threw in a cube of garlic and basil bouillon and some coconut milk powder, as I love a rich sauce! Thanks again!
Hi Bridget,
Oh my goodness, I love the idea of ham in some coconut milk sauce...now I am thinking to give it a try. Thank you so much for taking the time to give me your feedback and for making it your own. Awesome.
I would like to try this. Can I be able to use a slow cooker to make this? Will this dish come out the same if I was to use a slow cooker
Hi Monica,
Honestly, I have never tried it in a slow cooker before. However, if I was suppose to use a slow cooker, I would cook the meat in it only first. Cook the dumplings/spinners separately then add them at the last few minutes. Also, I would use canned red kidney beans (drained and rinsed) instead of the uncooked beans. Add the canned beans to the stew at the last few minutes.
I have read an article that it is not safe to cook uncooked/raw red kidney beans in a slow cooker, it can cause serious illness. If you do a google search, you will be able to find articles on this.
Love this recipe. It was on point. Perfect! Thank you
Hi Neish,
Awesome! You are most welcome. Thanks for giving it a try and for your feedback. Thanks again.
I made this recipe today. The only change I made was, I soak the pigtail and red beans in cold water overnight. Everything else was done according to your instructions. It turned out perfect. Delicious! Thank you for sharing.
Hi Jenean,
Lovely, I am glad it turned out perfect for you. You are most welcome. Thanks for giving it a try...appreciate the support.
Thank you for the recipe. I love to make it occasionally. I make a veggie version with soy minced meat, and I have to say it is great. Will try the real thing one day in Jamaica though.
Hi Jenni,
You are most welcome. Please let me know what you think when you give it a try. Thanks again.
This recipe is HITTIN’
So good I did it in the instant pot and finished it with coconut milk and spinners!! Vegan style, reminds me of plates from Bickles in Queens
Hi Dee,
I am so glad it was good....enjoy. Thanks for giving it a try.
Can I order salted pig tails on line, I can’t fin them here!
Hi Robert,
I am not sure if it is sold online....sorry about that. I always purchase it from a West Indian or Haitian store in in Florida. I hope you find it.
I made this today using oxtail, and only made a few changes. Firstly, I used 2 cans of red peas and added it 1 hour after I started cooking the meat as you instructed - I didn't want to add it too late because I still wanted the pinkish colour of stew peas. I also simmered it for an extra 1 hour to make sure the meat was fall-off-the-bone tender. It's still simmering for another 30 minutes before we eat it (me, hubby and son). I've been 'tasting' it for the last 30 minutes and can't wait!!! Thank you so much for this recipe.
Hi Danielle,
WOW...that sounds delicious....my mouth is watering. Oxtail is so expensive here but I want to try it one day. Thank you for making it your way. Love it. Thanks again...enjoy.
Hi thank you! I wonder if the recipe should read “4 teaspoons” of red pepper flake instead of “1/4 teaspoon?” One scotch bonnet pepper is definitely hotter (which is good) than a teeny tiny 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flake. 🙃 Thank you!
Hi E, it is 1/4 teaspoon because not a lot of people like spice so I started it at 1/4 teaspoon for safety. Yes 1 scotch bonnet pepper is hot 🙂 so I suggest to add it whole on the top of it. However, if you want it to be much spicy then go ahead and add more red pepper flakes or add pieces of the scotch bonnet pepper. Thanks for giving it a try.
Used can beans don't like spinners but I made a few it came out delicious. Used split pig feet thanks for the recipe.
Hi Natasha, you are most welcome and I am glad you made it your own. Awesome.