Jamaican Stew Beef Recipe
Jamaican stew beef is a delicious dish. It highlights the bold, authentic flavors of the Caribbean. This dish has tender, slow-cooked beef. It simmers in a savory brown gravy with herbs and spices. This dish is a staple in Jamaican homes. It pairs perfectly with rice and peas, white rice, or boiled provisions. If you love stews that are bursting with deep, complex flavors, this stew beef recipe is a must-try!
The History of Jamaican Stew Beef
Browning meat before stewing adds more flavor to the dish. Brown stew beef, like Jamaican brown stew chicken, mixes herbs, spices, and tender, slow-cooked meat. This creates a delicious dish full of Caribbean warmth.
What Makes Stew Beef Special?
Jamaican brown stew beef is special due to its unique marination and browning method. The meat is seasoned overnight with fresh herbs, garlic, and pimento. Then, it is seared to get a deep, rich color.
The slow simmering lets the flavors blend well. This creates a tasty gravy that’s great for drizzling on your favorite side dishes.
Jamaican Stew Beef Recipe Ingredients
For the Marinade:
- Beef (chuck, stew beef, or brisket) – Provides the protein base for the dish.
- Seasonings – Enhances flavor and helps to tenderize the meat.
- 1 tsp browning sauce – Adds a deep, rich color and enhances the caramelized flavors.
- Garlic – Infuses the dish with aromatic depth.
- Crushed pimento (allspice) – A key ingredient in Jamaican cooking, providing warm, earthy spice.
- Vinegar or lime juice – Helps to tenderize the meat and balance flavors.
- Soy sauce – Adds umami and enhances the overall seasoning profile.
- Browning sauce – Adds color and depth to the stew.
For Cooking:
- Vegetable oil – Used for browning the beef and sautéing aromatics.
- Onion – Adds a sweet, mild depth of flavor.
- Tomato – Contributes to the base of the stew’s sauce.
- Carrot – Adds natural sweetness and texture.
- Red bell pepper &Green bell pepper – Provides color, sweetness, and a mild peppery flavor.
- Scotch bonnet pepper – Infuses authentic Jamaican heat and spice.
- Beef broth or water – Forms the liquid base of the stew, ensuring a rich gravy.
- Tomato ketchup – Adds slight sweetness and helps to thicken the sauce.
- Butter (for extra richness) – Enhances the texture of the sauce.
How to Make Jamaican Stew Beef Recipe
To get the best flavors, season the beef in advance. In a large bowl, combine the beef chunks with all the marinade ingredients. Massage the seasonings into the meat, ensuring it is well coated. Cover and let it marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, for deeper flavor.
2. Brown the Beef
Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove the beef from the marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Sear the beef pieces on all sides until browned. This process enhances the flavor and adds a rich, caramelized color to the stew.
3. Sauté the Aromatics
Once the beef is browned, remove it from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and tomatoes until soft and fragrant.
4. Simmer the Stew
Return the browned beef to the pot. Stir in the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, additional browning sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender.
5. Add Vegetables & Finish Cooking
Add the sliced potatoes and Scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Let it simmer for another 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to blend.
6. Serve and Enjoy
Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove from heat. Serve with rice and peas, steamed white rice, or boiled dumplings and yams. This makes a complete Jamaican meal.
Variations & Tips
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Pressure Cooker: To speed up cooking, use a pressure cooker. Brown the meat first. Then, add the other ingredients. Pressure cook for 35 to 40 minutes.
- Slow Cooker: Brown the beef first, then transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Flavor Enhancements
- Coconut Milk: For a creamy and slightly sweet twist, add 1/2 cup of coconut milk.
- Scotch Bonnet Pepper: Love spicy food? Dice a Scotch bonnet and mix it in for real Jamaican heat.
- Try more herbs and spices: Use fresh scallions, ginger, or extra thyme for bolder flavors.
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months and reheat on the stovetop over medium heat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef?
Yes! While stew beef and chuck are the most popular choices, you can use brisket or oxtail for a richer texture.
What can I serve with brown stew beef?
Jamaican brown stew beef goes great with rice and peas, fried plantains, boiled dumplings, or hard dough bread. These sides soak up the tasty gravy.
How do I make it more spicy?
Dice a Scotch bonnet and mix it in for real Jamaican heat.
Is browning sauce necessary?
Browning sauce enhances the color and deepens the flavor. If unavailable, substitute with a mixture of dark soy sauce and a pinch of sugar.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Absolutely! Brown stew beef tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to develop.
Notes & Thoughts
Jamaican brown stew beef is a must-try. It’s perfect for anyone who loves hearty meals with Caribbean flavors. Whether you cook it traditionally on the stovetop or speed up the process with a pressure cooker, this dish is guaranteed to impress. Grab your ingredients and make this authentic Jamaican brown stew beef today!
More Jamaican Recipes to Try:
Did you enjoy this recipe? Share your thoughts in the comments and let me know how you like to prepare your brown stew beef!
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” I John 4:18 NKJV
Wisdom
God never gave us the spirit of fear. So who does fear come from? The enemy. The spirit of fear is so strong nowadays.
You can tell the world we currently live in is ruled by it. But we as believers in the most high YHWH must rebuke all fear and doubt. For we serve Jesus Christ.
He showed us what true love is when he died for us while we were yet sinners. If we love him we will keep his commandments.
If we walk in his love we have no fear for we put all our cares and worries to him. He gave us his Holy Spirit to comfort us and so much more.
Why should we have fear when we have such an awesome God? He will never leave us nor forsake us. He said The righteous will never be forsaken. We will wait on him and he will renew our strength.
Cast out fear and perfect your love for our messiah for he reigns forever. He is the king of kings and the lord of lords. Perfect your love saints.
Jamaican Stew Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef (chuck, stew beef, or brisket), cut into chunks – Provides the protein base for the dish.
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp all-purpose seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 tsp browning sauce
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 1/2 tsp crushed pimento (allspice)
- 1 tbsp vinegar or lime juice
- 1 tbsp mushroom soy sauce if you cant find it just use regular
- 1 tsp additional browning sauce (optional for color)
For Cooking:
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 1 medium tomato , chopped
- 1 medium irish potato , diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper , sliced
- 1/2 green bell pepper , sliced
- 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (optional, for heat)
- 2 cups beef broth or water
- 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp mushroom soy sauce
- 1 tbsp butter (for extra richness)
Instructions
Marinate the Beef
- To get the best flavors, season the beef in advance. In a large bowl, combine the beef chunks with all the marinade ingredients. Massage the seasonings into the meat, ensuring it is well coated. Cover and let it marinate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, for deeper flavor.
Brown the Beef
- Heat vegetable oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Remove the beef from the marinade, shaking off excess liquid. Sear the beef pieces on all sides until browned. This process enhances the flavor and adds a rich, caramelized color to the stew.
Sauté the Aromatics
- Once the beef is browned, remove it from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add a little more oil if needed and sauté the onions, garlic, bell peppers, and tomatoes until soft and fragrant.
Simmer the Stew
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Stir in the ketchup, mushroom soy sauce, additional browning sauce, and beef broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the beef is tender.
Add Vegetables & Finish Cooking
- Add the diced potatoes and Scotch bonnet pepper (if using). Let it simmer for another 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken and the flavors to blend.
Serve and Enjoy
- Once the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove from heat. Serve with rice and peas, steamed white rice, or boiled dumplings and yams for a complete Jamaican meal.
Video
Nutrition
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