When I need an authentic Caribbean side, this one always comes through. I make fluffy rice and pair it with tender beans, plus I add some bomb coconut flavor and spices in the mix. This dish isn’t just good, it’s straight up fire! Make sure you pair it with some curry chicken and fried plantains for some good eatin!
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How to Make Jamaican Rice and Peas
Step 1: Put the beans and 4 cups of the stock in a medium dutch oven or saucepan and soak, covered, overnight. Bring the beans and stock to a full boil and boil for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the beans until tender, about 1 hr.
Step 2: Add the remaining 2 ½ cups sock and bring to a boil. Using a fork, stir in the rice, grated creamed coconut, thyme, habanero, salt and allspice and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
Step 3: Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the thyme and habanero. Fluff the rice, separate the grains with a fork and serve.
PRO TIP: Do not open the lid! Doing so will allow your steam to escape and your rice won’t cook perfectly without it. Not worth it.
Jamaican Rice and Peas Recipe
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Ingredients
- 1 cup dried red kidney beans rinsed and drained
- 6 ½ cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 cups uncooked parboiled rice, rinsed and drained
- ¼ cup grated Grace Pure Creamed Coconut
- 3 fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 habanero pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
Instructions
- Put the beans and 4 cups of the stock in a medium dutch oven or saucepan and soak, covered, overnight.
- Bring the beans and stock to a full boil and boil for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the beans until tender, about 1 hr.
- Add the remaining 2 ½ cups sock and bring to a boil. Using a fork, stir in the rice, grated creamed coconut, thyme, habanero, salt and allspice and cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the thyme and habanero. Fluff the rice, separate the grains with a fork and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Soak the beans. They cook more quickly and better when soaked prior to cooking. If you forget, you can use the quick soak method. Bring the water and beans to a full boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover with a lid, and let the beans stand for 1 hour. Then continue cooking as directed.
- Make sure to discard the habanero and thyme after cooking.
- You must used parboiled rice for this recipe. Other rice grains just won’t work.
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Serving Suggestions
- I love to serve this dish with my recipe for ackee and saltfish and brown chicken stew.
- It’s also great with your favorite curry goat or jerk chicken recipe!
Recipe Help
If you want to try this recipe with pigeon peas instead of red beans, you can simply replace them. You can also add scotch bonnet peppers for another authentic touch.
Yep. However, the coconut adds a very authentic Caribbean flavor to the recipe, if you aren’t fan, you can simply omit. No need to replace with anything. Simply continue cooking the recipe as you would before and enjoy!
More Comfort Food Recipes
- Dirty Rice
- Red Beans and Rice Recipe
- Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
- Shrimp Etouffee
- Southern Collard Greens
- Callaloo
- Saltfish Fritters
*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!* Post a photo of how your version of the recipe came out on Instagram (using #grandbabycakes)!!
This recipe was originally published July 2019. It has been updated with new images and content.
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This looks so good! Love to make it as a side dish!
Rice is always a big hit at my house! I have to make this for my family!
Looks fantastic! Absolutely a great addition on the table, can’t wait to give this a try!
This dish looks so tasty! Definitely making some ASAP
What a great side dish with dinner tonight! This was exactly what I was looking for and I am excited to give this a try! Looks delicious!
Love how quickly this comes together and is packed with flavor! Saving to make again later this week!
My favourite side-dish, thank you! Your instructions turned out perfectly. We made jerk chicken and pork on the smoker this past weekend so this was perfect timing.
This looks so good. I absolutely love the flavors combo in this rice. I never tried anything like this one before. I must give this a go. It’s so healthy too which is a great plus.
Such a classic Caribbean side, as you say that’s also versatile. Looks great and love the simple flavors.
It was a huge hit at my house! So delicious!