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.
When growing up in Jamaica, we tend to make our own coconut milk from fresh coconuts 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 can coconut milk if you don’t have fresh coconut milk
Other Jamaican Recipes To Try
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Stew
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
(Per portion)- Energy: 184 kcal / 769 kJ
- Fat: 8 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Carbs: 25 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 10 min
- Cooking: 1 h 30 min
- Ready in: 1 h 40 min
- For: 12 Servings
Ingredients
Stew Peas
- 2 cups dried kidney beans
- 6 cups water
- 1-14 ounce can 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 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, soak in water overnight or for at least 8 hours.
- The following day, discard water and rinse beans, place them in a large saucepan with water and bring to 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 palm of hands to make long thin dumplings. Drop into simmering stew.
So delicious, Michelle! I made it with the Sukuma Wiki and patties and it was just heavenly.
Amanda, I’m so happy you enjoyed it. love the who menu, yummy!
Looks really good and healthy too
Thanks for sharing. I have to try the gluten free dumplings. I’m in the VI.. so this is my kinda food. My son has gluten allergy so this is worth a try
Hello Colleen, I’m so happy you found my website. I hope you enjoy my recipes. Thank you.
Hello. How much water would be used if using canned beans? Or would the coconut milk be the only liquid after beans are drained a d rinsed?
Thanks, looking forward to making this recipe.
Dayra, 1/2 cup – 1 cup of water is great to use. Yes you can rinse and drain canned beans
Thank you for this recipe. I’ve wanted stew peas FOREVER… but everyone I know makes it with either salt beef or pig tail. I was super reluctant because I just didn’t want to wait for the peas to soak… but I’m so glad I did!!! The entire dish came out AMAZING!!!
Shelly, I’m so happy you took the change and tried it and you are satisfied. Thank you for your feedback.
It’s truly a blessing to have healthy Stew peas. Amazing
this is how I make mine minus the ginger
Stashi, that’s wonderful. I hope you try it with the ginger, once I started I never look back. The ginger helps to prevent gas from the beans as well as add a great flavor.
If using canned kidney beans, should they be rinsed?
It is best to rinse Sasha to reduce sodium content but you can also purchase no added salt kidney beans from the health food store.
Hi Michelle
Might be a silly question…. Do I need to adjust the cooking time if using canned kidney beans/black beans?
Martina, not a silly question at all. You will need to start at Step 3 and add all the remaining ingredients and cook until the sauce thickens.
This looks very delicious. I gotta try this
Thank you Romaine, I hope you enjoy!
Made this recipe twice absolutely delicious. I am Jamaican and I love stew peas with the meat. I am cutting meat out my diet. Going on 2 months. This is my favorite no meat dish.
That’s so awesome Collette, congratulations on your decision to cut meat out of your diet. Keep up the good work, I’m so happy you enjoy my recipe.