Jamaican Seasoned Rice

This flavorful Jamaican seasoned rice is easy to prepare with long grain brown rice, callaloo, ackee, cabbage, pumpkin, carrot, and peas, in a seasoned coconut broth.

This healthy seasoned Jamaican rice is vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and huge hit.

Because of my family’s love for rice, I have an amazing array of vegan rice dishes on here for you to try, including Vegan Rice Recipes, Vegan Red Beans And Rice, and Spinach Rice.

In Jamaica, seasoned callaloo rice is a popular one-pot dish. Seasoned Jamaican rice is traditionally prepared loaded with vegetables, meat, and cooked in fragrant coconut milk. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Rich Flavor Explosion: The combination of long grain brown rice, callaloo, ackee, cabbage, pumpkin, carrot, peas, and a medley of aromatic seasonings creates a flavor explosion that tantalizes your taste buds.
• Healthy One-Pot Wonder: Packed with nutrient-rich ingredients like brown rice, vegetables, and coconut broth, this one-pot wonder is a wholesome, balanced meal. It’s a fantastic way to ensure you’re getting a variety of essential nutrients in one go.
• Easy Preparation: The simplicity of the recipe makes it a go-to for both seasoned cooks and kitchen beginners. The step-by-step guide ensures you create a culinary masterpiece without the hassle.
• Jamaican Tradition on Your Plate: Embrace the Jamaican culinary tradition with this seasoned rice. It’s a snapshot of the vibrant flavors and diverse ingredients that make Jamaican cuisine beloved worldwide.

Ingredients Needed

• Coconut Oil: For sauteeing the vegetables and aromatics
• Aromatics like onion, garlic, and green onion add a savory base to the Jamaican seasoned rice.
• Vegetables including red bell peppers, tomato, carrot, pumpkin, cabbage, callaloo, sweet corn, green peas, and ackee add all the nutrition and flavor to this seasoned rice recipe.
• Thyme: Imparts a warm, earthy aroma, enhancing the overall seasoning.
• Allspice: Contributes to the authentic Jamaican flavor profile, adding warmth and depth.
• Coconut Milk: Forms the luscious base, infusing a tropical creaminess into the rice.
• Vegetable Broth: Cooks the brown rice and infuses it with flavor.
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper: Brings the heat; adjust quantity based on your spice preference or leave whole for a milder kick.
• Salt: Balances flavors and enhances the overall taste of the seasoned rice recipe.
• Brown Rice: For a healthier vegan seasoned rice recipe, I used long grain brown rice. Any variety of brown rice can be used. I love the nuttier flavor, the higher fiber, and the loaded nutrients in brown rice. You can also use Jasmine brown rice or Basmati brown rice.

How To Make Seasoned Rice

1. Heat oil in a large pot on medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, green onions, red bell pepper, thyme, and allspice. Cook stirring constantly until onion is soft. 
2. Add tomatoes, carrot, pumpkin, cabbage, callaloo, brown rice and stir.
3. Add coconut milk, vegetable broth, and top with Scotch bonnet pepper.
4. Cover pot and bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer for 45 minutes.
5. Gently stir in sweet corn, green peas, ackee, cover the pot and cook for 5-10 minutes or until rice is tender.
6. Fluff with a fork, add additional cooked vegan protein and serve.
7. Serve seasoned rice with a salad, curry or jerk recipe. 

Expert Tips

• Leave the Scotch bonnet pepper whole if you want to avoid the fiery heat, if you want it to be a little spicy then add only a small amount of the chopped pepper but discard the seeds.
• If your rice isn’t tender after the time recommended, add a 1/4 cup water and cover using the method used in How To Cook Brown Jasmine Rice.

Substitutions and Variations

You can also add a vegan protein like Baked Tofu Nuggets, Gluten-Free Vegan Sausage, or Jerk Tofu. Chickpeas or black beans could also be excellent alternatives, infusing the dish with extra texture and heartiness.

Feel free to include seasonal vegetables or those you particularly enjoy. Spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini would all go great in this seasoned rice recipe.

Storage Tips

To store Jamaican Seasoned Rice, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container once it has cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate promptly, and it can be safely stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

If you have a larger batch and plan to store it for a more extended period, consider freezing portions in freezer-safe containers. Properly stored, frozen Jamaican Seasoned Rice can maintain its quality for up to 2-3 months.

When reheating, add a splash of vegetable broth or water to restore moisture, and use methods like the stovetop or microwave for a quick and convenient meal.

Recipe FAQs

What To Serve With Jamaican Seasoned Rice

• Chickpea Curry (Jamaican-Style)
• Tofu Curry Recipe
• Jamaican Jerk Cauliflower

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