Rich, Spicy & Tender — Jamaican Curry Beef Tutorial + Bonus Rice n Peas

beef

🥗Healthier: chicken

💰Cheaper: pork

Chicken is leaner and often less expensive than beef.

coconut milk

🥗Healthier: light coconut milk

💰Cheaper: milk

Light coconut milk reduces calories while maintaining some creaminess.

scotch bonnet pepper

🥗Healthier: jalapeño

💰Cheaper: bell pepper

Jalapeño offers heat with lower intensity; bell pepper adds sweetness.

curry powder

🥗Healthier: homemade spice blend

💰Cheaper: turmeric

Homemade blends can be tailored for flavor and cost.

Season beef with 2 heaped tablespoons curry powder and 2 teaspoons black pepper in a large mixing bowl. Let it marinate for 1-2 hours or overnight.

Heat sunflower oil in a large pot and add the marinated beef. Cook for 7-8 minutes until browned.

Add boiling water to cover the beef, cover the pot, and cook on medium heat for 30 minutes.

Chop 1 large white onion, green and yellow bell peppers, and 2-3 potatoes. Add these to the pot after 30 minutes.

Add 1 tablespoon of ketchup, salt, and optional hot pepper sauce. Stir and cook for another 5-6 minutes.

Add more boiling water if needed, then add the chopped potatoes. Cover and cook for another 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.

Soak 500 grams of red kidney beans in water for 6 hours or overnight. Cook in a pot with water, salt, 2 bay leaves, cinnamon, clove, 2 teaspoons peppercorns, and 1 teaspoon nutmeg powder for about 1 hour.

Add fresh thyme, allspice, small onion, and chopped garlic to the beans and cook for another 15 minutes.

Cook 5 cups of basmati rice with 100 g of cream coconut and 2 cups of water until done.

Mix 1 kg of chicken with garlic, ginger, salt, pepper, thyme, and scotch bonnet. Cook until tender.

Finish with 1 cup of green onions, 2 cups of carrot, and 4 cups of potato.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level: