This quick and easy Jamaican-style Corned Beef & Cabbage is our go-to recipe for busy weeknights. It’s a flavorful and fast take on a traditional dish.
![corned beef and cabbage in white bowl](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/cornbeefandcabbage.jpg)
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Full Recipe Ingredients/Instructions are available in the
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Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. When I think of St. Patrick’s Day, I think of the color green, the movie Leprechaun in the Hood, beer, and, of course, Corned Beef and Cabbage. Growing up in a Jamaican household, this was a frequent dinner option that I loved, and still do. So when anyone talks about corned beef and cabbage, all I can think of is the Jamaican version, also sometimes referred to as “bully beef.”
So, what sets Jamaican Corned Beef and Cabbage apart? The use of canned meat, of course!
First, let’s do some mise en place (I love that word!) – get all your ingredients ready for cooking, because this is a quick recipe.
Ingredients Needed
Ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions are on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Green Cabbage – you will need 1/2 of a head of green cabbage that has been shredded with a knife.
- Green bell pepper, yellow onion, garlic, Roma tomatoes, thyme.
- Seasonings: Ketchup, ground black pepper, scotch bonnet pepper sauce (or any other hot sauce)
How to make Jamaican Corned Beef and Cabbage
Shred half a medium-sized cabbage into medium-sized shreds, chop 1 green pepper, chop 1 medium-sized onion, mince 2 cloves garlic, and chop 2 roma tomatoes.
Next, you will heat 1 Tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. I did this in a “Dutch pot.” OMG, how cool is it that I own a Dutch pot?! I got this from my dear mother, and I barely use it, so I get excited every time I whip it out.
![dutch oven pot on stove](https://myforkinglifedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_5937.jpg)
Look, how cool 🙂
Once your oil is heated, sauté green peppers and onions for about 3 minutes, or until softened.
![green bell pepper and onions in dutch pot with wooden spatula sticking out](https://myforkinglifedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_5939.jpg)
Next, add the garlic and stir for about a minute more. After the garlic has cooked, add your shredded cabbage to the skillet (or Dutch pot) and continuously stir for about 3 minutes, allowing the cabbage to soften but not get too mushy. Add your Roma tomatoes and 2 springs of thyme.
Now comes the fun part: adding your corned beef!
![close up photo of canned corned beef](https://myforkinglifedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_5933.jpg)
Opening a can of corned beef is an interesting adventure in itself! There’s this weird key on the side that you turn to get it open. It has directions, but it definitely took me a while to get the hang of it.
Once you’ve added your corned beef, break it up in the pot and stir it well with the other ingredients.
![dutch pot with corn beef on top of cabbage and peppers](https://myforkinglifedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_5941.jpg)
![cabbage and corned beef mixed up in pot](https://myforkinglifedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_5942.jpg)
Looks delicious, right?! Well, you’re not done yet. Add 1 tablespoon of ketchup (yes, ketchup on corned beef!) and stir. An optional but highly recommended ingredient is “hot peppa” sauce, also known as scotch bonnet sauce. It’s made from scotch bonnet peppers, which can be hard to find fresh where I live, so the sauce is a great substitute. You can usually find it in any international supermarket. Just a heads up, it’s delicious but spicy! I added only 1/2 teaspoon to this dish to keep it kid-friendly.
Reduce the heat to medium and let everything cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the corned beef is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, but go easy on the salt since corned beef is already pretty salty.
![bottle of scotch bonnet pepper in front of microwave](https://myforkinglifedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/03/img_5989.jpg)
And there you have it – corned beef and cabbage, Jamaican style! I like to serve mine over plain white rice or pile it high on bread for a delicious sandwich. Yum!
Looking for more Jamaican recipes? Try these out…
![corned beef and cabbage on the side](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/cornbeefandcabbage1.jpg)
- Jamaican Steamed Cabbage
- Jamaican Rum Punch
- Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge
- Jamaican Jerk Pork (Air Fryer)
- Jamaican Carrot Juice
- Jamaican Jerk Chicken Soup (Instant Pot)
- Jamaican Rice and Peas (Instant Pot)
- Jamaican Oxtails (Instant Pot)
- Curry Chicken
I hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you have tried this recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! Your feedback is invaluable and helps us grow. Thank you for your support!
Corned Beef and Cabbage – Jamaican Style
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium sized cabbage shredded
- 1 green pepper chopped
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 12 oz tin of corned beef
- 2 Roma tomatoes chopped
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1 Tablespoon ketchup
- 1/2 – 1 teaspoon scotch bonnet pepper sauce optional
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet or Dutch pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and green pepper and sauté for about 3-5 minutes.
- Add garlic and stir for about 1 minute.
- Add shredded cabbage and stir. Cook for about about 3-5 minutes, stirring often until softened.
- Add corned beef, Roma tomatoes, and thyme and stir. Add ketchup and scotch bonnet pepper sauce and stir. Reduce heat and cook on medium for about 3-5 minutes, until the corned beef is heated through. Remove from heat.
- Serve with white rice, bread, or on its own.
Notes
Nutrition
![Pinterest image for corned beef and cabbage](https://www.myforkinglife.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/FAIRY-4.jpg)
Gary
Friday 6th of September 2024
Hi Tanya. My wife and I both really liked this recipe. Couldn't get much easier either. Another forking recipe in the rotation! Thank You! Gary
Tanya
Saturday 7th of September 2024
So happy you liked the recipe, Gary! I just recorded a short video of this one too, lol. I can't wait to upload it. Thank you for the review :)
Shelley n
Monday 25th of December 2023
is a dutch pot the same as a dutch oven?
Tanya
Tuesday 26th of December 2023
Yes it is.
Candi
Thursday 29th of December 2022
My husband and I loved the Corned Beef and Cabbage! Thank you so much. Can't wait to try some of your other recipes.
Tanya
Friday 30th of December 2022
Thanks Candi! This is one of our faves. So happy you liked the recipe.
jean
Friday 12th of March 2021
the chicken stew andcorned beef and cabbage sound great.have to look into other interesting recipes. you always seem to deiver good things thank you
Sonya L CALDWELL
Friday 6th of November 2020
You are the real deal Sis...so glad I found you...stay safe and healthy and I will be following your Forking Life.❤