Vegan Jamaican Stew Peas
Traditionally, “stew peas” are cooked with salted beef, oxtail, or pig’s tail, but here I present a vegan version that will please the palate of the most skeptical.
Beans, or peas, are a Jamaican staple because they are so versatile and flavorful; we incorporate beans in many of our Jamaican dishes, like my Jamaican Rice And Peas and Jamaican Gungo Peas Soup.
How to Make Vegan Jamaican Stew Peas?
Jamaican stew peas with dumplings (spinners) contain a Jamaican version of unleavened dumplings, also known as spinners, usually made with white flour, but regular flour will work. Also, try my Instant Pot Version.
I used whole scotch bonnet pepper for more of the authentic flavor and not the spicy heat. Coconut milk is an essential component of this stew and many other Jamaican dishes.
For another simple pea stew, check out my Chickpea Stew recipe. Serve your stew peas with Jasmine Rice.
If you are wanting to cook authentic Jamaican dishes, this dish is so easy to make. I have made this dish several times for my guests, and they tell me how amazing it tastes. Jamaican stew peas, an ultimate comfort dish, is my go-to recipe.
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When growing up in Jamaica, we tend to make our own coconut milk from fresh coconuts rather than the canned version. It was less expensive and resulted in more flavorful milk.
Now that I live in the USA and don’t usually have access to fresh coconut, I use canned coconut milk in my recipes. I usually purchase Thai Kitchen Unsweetened Coconut Milk.
Notes
. Since I made this recipe in 2012, I now only eat gluten-free dumplings. I have updated this recipe to include a recipe for Jamaican gluten-free dumplings.
. Substitute 2 cans of kidney beans for the dried kidney beans and omit the water.
. Use 1–14 ounce of coconut milk if you don’t have fresh coconut milk
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Vegan Jamaican Stew Peas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried kidney beans
- 6 cups water
- 1 (14-ounce) can of coconut milk
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 1/2 –2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 sprig of fresh
- 1 medium carrot cut into coins
- 1 whole Scotch Bonnet pepper stem intact or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice or 6 berries
- 1 batch of dumplings/spinners
Dumplings/Spinners
- 1/2 cup flour: I used Krusteaz all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
For The Stew Peas
- Sort and wash beans, and soak them in water (about 3 inches above the beans) overnight or for at least 8 hours.
- The following day, discard water and rinse beans, place them in a large saucepan with the 6 cups of water, and bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer until tender for about 1 hour.
- Add coconut milk, carrots, onion, garlic, and continue simmering. Add spinners and thyme and other seasonings, simmer for another 30 minutes or until sauce is thick. Discard pepper before serving. Delicious served with brown rice and a salad!
For The Dumplings
- Place flour and salt in a bowl. Add water and mix to make a stiff dough. Pinch off small pieces of dough and roll into the palms of your hands to make long, thin dumplings. Drop them into the simmering stew.
Hi Michelle! Thanks for sharing this recipe, I can’t wait to try it. I am curious, do you think I can make it in the slow cooker? How many hours should I give it, 8+ hours?
Shenell, about 5-6 hours should be fine in the slow cooker.
This was really good and easy, my 6yr old daughter ate 3 bowls. I used spelt flour for the dumplings.
Angelita, thank you so much for your feedback, I’m so excited that you and your 6-year-old enjoyed it. Thank you for your feedback.
This was great! How would I adjust if I wish to make a double batch?
Thank you Brandon, you double all the ingredients except the salt, pepper, dried herbs, and spices. Multiply them by one and a half the original amount called for in the recipe to calculate the new amount in the doubled recipe. Then, adjust to taste and add more, if necessary.
This was lovely, thanks for sharing this great neat free recipe!!
You are welcome Rose, I’m glad you enjoyed it and thank you for your feedback.
I made this last week for my family; they loved it! I didn’t make the spinners, as we don’t care for them, but thickened the sauce with flour, towards the end. I’m making it again as I write, and this time I’m trying it with potatoes and celery as well as the carrots, as I used to do with beef stew. Thanks for the recipe!
Thank you Sue for your feedback, I’m so happy that you and your family loved it. I understand that you didn’t care much for the spinners since it might have a different texture and taste of what you are accustomed to. I hope your adjustments turn out tasting great, you might need to add some extra vegetable broth with the additional veggies.
I am making ynos as we speak… The only alternatice that I used was kidney beans from a can… However I didn’t use the water but used stock as suggested… It’s been on for half and hour andnits nor darkened. What darkens it?? Mines a allspice he of coconut milk!
Hannah, sounds great and should be very flavorful. The reason mine is dark is because I used soaked dark kidney beans, that is the only reason. But the taste will be same whether you use light or dark kidney beans.
If we omit the entire 6 cups of water when using the canned kidney beans, then the only liquid will b the coconut milk…? Should I be using the liquid from the canned beans?
Add 1 cup vegetable broth or water plus the coconut milk, if using canned kidney beans.
I only had black beans on hand but they’re simmering now and oh-my-goodness, SO GOOD. Bookmarked your blog.
That’s awesome Luca, thank you for trying them and hope you enjoy my other recipes.
I have made this Stew Peas many times and it’s always a hit in my home.
I made the turn cornmeal and must say it was very enjoyable and would make it again
Karlene, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. Thank you for your feedback.
Hello Michelle, I will be making these today however I do not have any scotch bonnets, can I sub for habaneros instead?
Brittany, yes you can substitute habaneros. I hope you enjoy!