In honour of World Food Day, let’s celebrate one of Jamaica’s most beloved dishes—stews. Not only are they hearty and delicious, but they are also made from sustainable, easily sourced ingredients, providing a healthy source of nutrition.
Jamaican stews are a rich tapestry of flavours steeped in the island’s diverse culinary heritage. The indigenous Tainos introduced slow cooking methods, while the enslaved Africans used spices, beans, and leafy vegetables to create delectable dishes from offals and other meat cuts. Colonialism also brought about Asian and European influences, which introduced new ingredients and expanded the local diet. Together, these influences have crafted Jamaican stews into the beloved, flavourful dishes they are today—each bite a reflection of the island’s rich cultural diversity.
So, whether you’re enjoying a classic brown stew chicken or a delightful veggie stew each bite carries the essence of a home-cooked meal and heritage. Here are our top picks for the best and heartiest Jamaican stews.
1. Curried Goat
Whether at a nine-night, family gathering, lavish Sunday, or Christmas dinner, the rich and flavourful taste of curried goat never disappoints! But how did this tradition start? Who really decided to curry the first goat? Well, this dish, originating in South Asia, can be credited to Indian indentured labourers who introduced it to Jamaica in the 17th century.
It typically features goat meat, sometimes substituted with mutton, marinated with a blend of spices, including curry powder, turmeric, garlic, ginger, escallion, thyme, and various herbs. The marinated meat is then slow-cooked (or thrown in the pressure cooker in true Jamaican style), often with vegetables like onions, sweet peppers, potatoes, and carrots, which add to its deep flavour and texture. The dish is known for its rich, aromatic taste and is often served with rice and peas, white rice, roti, or other side dishes.
2. Oxtail with Broad Beans
This dish, while savoury, sometimes deviates with a hint of sweetness through the addition of brown sugar or ketchup, enhancing its rich, robust flavour. Traditionally slow-cooked for hours, oxtail becomes tender and succulent, soaking up all the spices and seasonings—think garlic, thyme, and pimento.
The broad beans, or gungo peas, add a lovely texture and complement the dish perfectly. Served over rice, this stew is a true crowd-pleaser that embodies comfort food in every bite.
Mona Made It Recipe : Serves 6-8 People
Ingredients :
3-4 lbs oxtail, cleaned and cut into pieces
1 can (14 oz) butter beans, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp browning
1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks scallion, chopped
2 sprigs thyme
1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole
1/2 tbsp pimento seeds
4 cups water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Prepare the ingredients :
Clean the oxtails with vinegar or lime and water, then rinse and pat dry. – Season the oxtails with all-purpose seasoning, browning sauce, salt, and pepper. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
Cooking the Oxtails :
- Heat 2 tbsp vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown the oxtails on all sides.
- Add the onion, garlic, scallion, thyme, pimento seeds, and scotch bonnet pepper, stir well.
- Pour in 4 cups of water, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 2-2.5 hours, or until the oxtails are tender. Alternatively, you can use a pressure cooker for about 30-40 minutes.
- Add the butter beans and simmer for an additional 15 minutes or until desired thickness.
Serving :
- Serve hot with rice and peas, ground provisions, or dumplings
3. Stew Peas with Pigtails
This Jamaican classic, known for enticing the taste buds and “tying” the heart, traditionally features slow-cooked red kidney beans with salted meats, including pigtails and or salted beef, giving the dish an unmistakable salty but hearty depth of flavor. A healthier version may include smoked turkey neck or no meat at all.
The stew is then finished with the addition of thin, finger-like dumplings known as spinners for thickening, the addition of coconut milk for creaminess, and the finishing touch of pimento seeds, thyme, escallion, and spices to enhance the flavour.
Often served with rice, this stew is a perfect illustration of how simple ingredients can combine to create something truly delicious.
4. Pig Trotters with Broad Beans
Coming in hot, we have pig trotters with broad beans. This dish may raise some eyebrows, but don’t sleep on it! The trotters are simmered until they become fall-off-the-bone tender, and the broad beans add a satisfying heartiness.
The slow cooking process allows the natural gelatin from the trotters to create a rich, silky broth that’s packed with flavour. Often seasoned with scallion, thyme, pepper and spices this dish is a nostalgic favourite for many Jamaicans, bringing back memories of family meals and gatherings.
5. Stew Pork
Let’s not forget about stew pork, a must-try for those who love rich, hearty flavours. Made with succulent pieces of pork, this dish is seasoned with a blend of spices and marinated to perfection before being slow-cooked. The key to great stew pork is the addition of browning sauce, which gives the meat its deep, dark colour and caramelised flavour.
Often served with rice and peas or boiled dumplings, this dish is a staple at Jamaican tables and guarantees satisfaction with every bite.
6. Cow Foot with Broad Beans
This dish might not be for everyone, but those who appreciate it know it’s a true delicacy. The cow foot is simmered until tender, and the broad beans provide a wonderful contrast in texture.
The stew is rich and flavourful, often seasoned with garlic, thyme, and hot pepper for a kick. Typically enjoyed with rice, this hearty dish is perfect for cooler evenings when you want something warming and filling.
Mona Made It Recipe : Serves 6-8 people
Ingredients :
4 lbs cow foot, cut into pieces
1 can (14 oz) broad beans, drained and rinsed
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 stalks scallion, chopped
2 sprigs thyme
1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole
1 tsp pimento seeds
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
Salt and pepper, to taste
6 cups water
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Prepare the ingredients :
Clean the cow foot pieces with vinegar and water, then rinse thoroughly. – In a large pot, add vegetable oil and add the cow foot. Brown the cow foot for 3-5 minutes. Add 6 cups of water, pimento seeds, thyme, scallion, onion, garlic, salt and to a boil. Boil for 2-3 hours until tender. Alternatively, you can use a pressure cooker for about 30-40 minutes.
Season the pot :
- Add more fresh or dried seasoning to taste.
- Add broad beans. Stir well to combine.
- Add the scotch bonnet pepper and simmer for an additional 15-20 minutes until the sauce thickens. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
Serving :
Serve hot with rice, ground provisions, or dumplings.
7. Stew Beef
When it comes to comfort food, stew beef is a crowd favourite. Made with tender chunks of beef simmered in a savoury broth, this dish showcases the beauty of slow cooking. The beef is typically seasoned with a mix of garlic, thyme, and allspice, creating a mouthwatering aroma.
Vegetables like carrots and potatoes can also be added for extra heartiness. This stew is best served with rice or dumplings, making it a filling and satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.
8. Brown Stew Chicken
You can’t talk about Jamaican stews without mentioning brown stew chicken. This iconic dish features marinated chicken pieces seared to perfection before being simmered in a rich, flavourful gravy. The key ingredients include browning and a blend of herbs and spices that create that signature taste.
Often accompanied by rice and peas or steamed vegetables, this dish is a staple in Jamaican households and a go-to for gatherings and special occasions.
Mona Made It Recipe : Serves 4-6 People
Ingredients :
3 lbs Chicken, cut into pieces (thighs, legs, wings)
1 Large onion, sliced
2 stalks scallion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 large tomato, chopped
2 sprigs thyme
1 scotch bonnet pepper, whole or chopped (remove seeds to reduce spiciness) 1-2 tbsp browning sauce
2 tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
2-3 Pimento seeds, crushed
2 Whole Bay Leaves
3 tbsp Ketchup
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 ½-2 cups water
Prepare the Ingredients :
Clean the chicken with vinegar or lime and water, then rinse and pat dry. – In a large bowl, season the chicken with all-purpose seasoning, salt, pepper, thyme, scallion, garlic, pimento, bay leaves and browning. Marinate for at least 1 hour or overnight for best results.
Cooking :
- Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken pieces and brown them on all sides for 3-5 minutes. – Add the onion, tomato, and scotch bonnet pepper to the pot. Stir well. – Pour in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, stir in ketchup, cover, and let it simmer for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and tender. – Taste and adjust seasoning with salt if needed.
Serving :
Serve hot with rice, ground provisions, or dumplings.
9. Ital Stew
For our veggie lovers, ital stew is a delicious option! Rooted in Rastafarian culture, this dish is all about using fresh, natural ingredients without meat or artificial additives. Typically made with a variety of vegetables like pumpkin, carrots, and callaloo, it’s simmered in coconut milk and seasoned with herbs and spices.
This hearty and wholesome stew is a testament to the vibrant flavours of Jamaican produce and is often served with rice or dumplings for a complete meal.
10. Tripe and Beans
Last but not least, we have tripe and beans, a dish that might not be on everyone’s radar but is definitely worth a try. Tripe, which is the stomach lining of a cow, is slow-cooked until tender and paired with kidney beans. The flavours meld beautifully, with the addition of spices, escallion, and hot pepper for that extra zing.
Often enjoyed with rice or dumplings, this stew is a nostalgic dish for many Jamaicans, offering a taste of home and tradition.
Jamaican stews are more than just hearty meals—they are a reflection of the island’s rich history and cultural diversity. From the savoury oxtail to the smoky stew peas and the bold flavours of curried goat, each dish carries with it a unique story passed down through generations.
Whether it’s a nostalgic reminder of family gatherings or an introduction to Jamaica’s culinary delights, these stews are a true representation of the diverse traditions of Jamaican cuisine. So, the next time you’re craving comfort food with a punch of flavour, don’t hesitate to dive into one of these delicious Jamaican stews!
